Behind the open wall was a long ladder that led underground.

　As I expected, the wall could be opened in the ancient language.

　But as a key, though, Cecil had to touch it.

　Maybe it was the blood of the demon race, or maybe it was a reaction to the magic power.

　Honestly, I could have left like this.

There's also the phrase "kill the curiosity cat" - but I'm also concerned about leaving it alone.

　If there's a demon tribe's heritage here, it's only natural for Cecil to inherit it.

''If there's a demon tribe's legacy here, it's only natural to give it to Nagi-sama, isn't it?

　At my feet, Cecil said, "Is that why you're sticking it out?

　Is that why you're sticking it out?

　No, you can't. What's Cecil's is Cecil's.

　I'm a master from a democratic country.

　The order of descending the ladder is Rita, Cecil and me.

　Rita can find demons with 'presence detection' and can avoid traps with her body art.

　Cecil will sense the magic and I will protect Shingari.

　So, we descended a good two floors of the building.



　It led to the crypt, which had been sealed by a wizard of the demon tribe.



...... This is the legacy of the demon tribe, is it?

　Cecil said, stunned by the dampness of the room.

　It was a basement room about the size of a school classroom.

　The room illuminated by Cecil's normal version of "Light (Light)" was ...... something incredibly bleak.

　I'm sure you'll be able to find a lot more than just a few of these.

　You will find a wooden desk and chair. You will find a parchment piled up on top of it. Dry ink and pens.

　I can't read the words on the parchment.

If "Otherworldly Conversation" doesn't work either, it's probably ancient language.

"Here it is!

　Rita, who had been exploring the room, furtively crawled out from under the desk.

　With her golden tail twitching, Rita held out a small crystal ball to me.

You've found it, master. 'Erudite?'

Yeah. Thanks, Rita.

Oh, yeah?

　Peeps and peeps.

　Gold ears bobbing in and out of anticipation.

　This is...

"Rita woo-hoo-hoo.

"...... wow.

　Rita gets a swooning look on her face as I stroke her head.

　What a cute little creature .......

''Is this ...... skill crystal?''

That's right. The effect is 'Ancient Language Interpreter LV3'.

　I took the crystal from Rita.

　I'm going to try to unwind the concept.



"Ancient Language Interpreter, Level 3.

The skill of translating "ancient" languages into "modern" languages



Yes. This is Cecil's.

...... Nagi, sir.

　Cecil was trembling.

　A small hand reached out to receive the skill crystal and stopped on top of my hand as if faltering.

'I don't need this ......,'

''No, but it doesn't matter if we have the 'Ancient Language' skill. And if it's something the demon race left behind, it's better for Cecil to take it over.

...... Nagi, sir.

　Cecil was shaking.

'I'm ...... scared.'

Scared?

'Yes ....... I don't know any other demon race except my parents and Ashtarteh. Both my parents and Ashtarte told me not to hate humans. But I don't know what the other demons were thinking.

　Cecil says.

　He said that the demon race is part of nature, and that life and souls are a flowing thing.

　It's one of the natural phenomena that has been destroyed by humans.

　Just like a tree does not resent the wind that knocks it off, or a flower does not resent the rainwater that washes it away - the demon tribe does not resent the human "race" that destroyed them.

　It's just that the age of the demon race is over like the seasons, and the age of the human race will eventually end.

　That's all.

　You can't help but hate the individual who killed Cecil's family, but it's not right to hate the human race as a whole.

However, there may have been people of the demon race who did not. I'm afraid that if I knew that ...... something would change and I'm afraid ......

　I've never seen Cecil look so anxious before.

But I also want to know. I don't want to regret that I didn't have the courage to give Nagi-sama a very good gift. ......

　Cecil bit his lip as he held the crystal in his hand.

'Nope. Don't push it. Let's just leave it here and go home. And our motto is 'don't push yourself, don't do what you can't do'.

......

　But Cecil nodded his head in annoyance and laughed.

''Because Nagi-sama is like that, I'm willing to do anything, you know?

　Cecil turned his back to me and, with a shuffle, opened the collar of his clothes.

　Exposing her smooth back, the crystal that she received from me - she probably installed it. I feel like I'm seeing something wrong and I can't help but look away.

　Cecil put his clothes back on and then picked up the parchment on the desk.

　I take a deep breath and read the ancient words written on it.



'To my people, I say to you.

　As you touch this paper and read the text, the room will reveal itself in its true form.'



Go to ............?

　My feet glowed underneath me.

　A bright white symbol emerges on the floor. This is - a magic circle?

"What's a booby trap?

　And against your own kind. You are so vicious!

Nagi-sama! Nagiiii!

　Cecil and Rita hug me.

　My vision begins to shake. The world turns white.

　And then my consciousness blacks out, and the next thing I know



　The room had changed into a completely different form.



　There was the sound of water.

　It was a room with a high ceiling. It was about the size of a gymnasium.

　The walls had a faint blue-white glow to them.

　We were lying in the center of the room. There was a magic circle underneath our feet.

　The floor is covered with white stones, but here and there the earth is bare and trees are growing.

　Water is flowing out of the walls, creating a small stream in the middle of the room. So that's the water sound.

'Where is it, here: ......

...... The original basement. This one looks like the real one: ......

　Cecil said.

　Shaking her head, she got up and pointed to the wall next to the magic circle.

　There was the same ancient writing on it as on the parchment.

　Cecil is following it with his eyes. After reflecting on what he did earlier, he stopped saying it aloud.

　After reading it for a while, Cecil let out a small sigh.

'Nagi-sama, Rita-san ...... I'm sorry.'

That's all well and good, but what does it say?

It says that a demon wizard here summoned a magic sword to the dungeon.

.................. ha!



　According to Cecil's story, this is what it seems to be about.

　The wizard who lived in that mansion more than 100 years ago was worried that the demon race was being attacked by humans, so he decided to summon a 'demon sword' from another world to counter it.

　This place is for performing the summoning ceremony.

　The underground water where the magic power resided was drawn in and the place for the ritual was set up.

　However, the summoning failed.

　The magical sword became the "Wandering Sword" that appears in the nearby magical pools - dungeons at regular intervals - and was handed over to humans.

　Unable to give up, the wizard calls out to his fellow wizard Cecil.

　If you have the power, show it and get my legacy.

　And then, will you reclaim the world of the demon race──.



...... annoying.

　It was absolutely true.

　I know what you're thinking, but if you summoned the magic sword, I hope you've recovered it properly.

''The way to get back to where you came from is at .......

Ladder's still intact. You'll be able to get up and out of the ground.

Okay.

...... not good. It's not good ......

　Rita is still tingling.

　The change in space was hard enough for her to have a well-developed semicircular canal.

　She's lying on the floor with her tail and ears flattened.

"Between summoning the magic sword or ......

　There is no sign of demons around.

　The air is clear and the water is clean. There are red berries on the trees.

　I think we can live here if the need arises. ......

'Nagi-sama: ......'

　Cecil looked at me.

　...... Huh?

　Why do you look like you're about to cry?　She's got tears in her eyes and she's biting her lip.

I don't hate people.

Yes.

'I have no desire for revenge. I don't want a magic sword. I'm sad that my parents died, and if the people I killed were in front of me, I would want to beat them up, but I don't hate all people. Believe me, I do.

I believe in you.

　Because if Cecil had a grudge against humans, he wouldn't be with me.

　He's a good friend of Rita's.

It was Cecil who was more worried about the people from the Order that were being attacked by the Leviathan than me.

"I would never doubt him.

But I'm scared to go to ......

　Cecil also grabbed the hem of my clothes.

''Maybe in the blood of the demon race, there's some resentment towards humans or something, and one day I'll hate humans too, ......''

The subconscious mind, that kind of thing?

I don't know, but that's the way it is.

But that's not something Cecil can do about, is it?

Ashtarteh told me that when I left the slavers' shop, I should go to Metekal.

　Cecil said.

'It was because the population was large and they would accept me pretending to be a dark elf, but maybe ...... Ashtarthae knew about this place and wanted me to ......

Maybe, but I don't think so.

　We came here because of a quest like that.

　A hot spring gushed nearby and the merchants decided to buy the mansion.

　There is no way Ashtarthae can manipulate such a thing.

　If ...... is extremely delusional, but the fact that the demon tribe is part of nature, and Cecil is the only one who can do it, the nature is affected by the tectonic upheaval, and the hot spring is caused by the tectonic upheaval - that's why we are here.

　No, that's also unreasonable.

　If I hadn't used the Ability Rebuild, Cecil wouldn't have been able to read the Ancient Language in the first place.

...... Nagi-sama.

　Suddenly, Cecil touched my left hand.

The one with the ring, born when the contract was made.

I'm not going to be able to get it right.

...... order?

Yes. Then maybe I'll know what I want in my heart.

　'Orders' with a ring.

　As I recall, it's something that forces a slave to listen to what you say.

　It's easy to use, all you have to do is touch the ring and make it into the word 'do...'.

　The slave's consciousness is momentarily interrupted and she is forced to obey her master's command.

It's a very good idea to have a good time. I'm not going to be able to say it. Nagi-sama.

...... I don't like it.

Why?　It's okay, because I said it was okay, right?　It's a slave master's legitimate right!　Use it!

You know, you don't want to have to deal with the fact that you signed a contract, or that a job like this is in the scope of service. Cecil is a good worker.

...... please. Dear Nagi.

　I'm afraid.

　That there's something deep inside me that I don't know about.

　That it will one day take over me and hurt Nagi-sama.

'Because it's ......, it's .......'

　With a plop, tears spilled from Cecil's eyes.

''Ah. I'm not going to be able to do that. I shouldn't do this, Nagi.

When did you get it back, Rita?

You started. I've listened to you. It's your fault, Nagi.

You're just saying you don't want to give me orders.

It's disgusting that you don't know how a girl feels.

　Rita holds Cecil, squeezing him, and glares at me.

　Before I knew it, it was two against one.

'I would understand if I were one of them. I know what it's like to be different, to not have the same people in the world as you, it's very unsettling. I want to feel safe. I want to know that there are people who will accept me when they know who I really am.

I trust Cecil.

　I mean, even if Cecil were to wake up to the mission of the demon tribe, I think that would be possible.

　Cecil could become the Queen of the Crane Crane, and I could be his chief advisor and live a life of leisure.

　You're right, I won't do it if you say you're going to persecute people.

I don't like it when you tell me what to do.

I'm not going to hate Nagi just because you tell me to.

　No, I'm not talking about that.

Even Cecil-chan doesn't hate Nagi.

No, I won't. Absolutely not.

You see?　Now it's just a matter of whether or not Nagi can take Cecil-chan's feelings.

　Oh, God.

　What's a 'master' to be ordered around?

"I see. Yeah, I get it. Yeah, this is my one time.

Yes!

　Cecil wiped away his tears and laughed.

'Also, I don't really care what happens to Cecil's subconscious mind.

...... Nagi-sama.

'Let's get this over with as soon as possible. Cecil will stand there and Rita will go to .......

'It's okay. If Nagi tries to do anything weird while Cecil-chan is unconscious, I'll kick her out.

　Don't threaten my husband. And he's got a nice smile on his face.

　And Cecil's laughing along with him.

　...... 'Orders', huh? I really don't want to do it.

　I touched the red crystal in the ring on my left hand.

"In the name of 'The Covenant', I command you, my slave, Cecil-Falot.

　The red crystal glowed.

'──────'

　The light of will has disappeared from Cecil's eyes - it seemed to disappear.

　I declare.

"Cecil-Farot. Speak of the true desire that resides in the depths of your heart.

────

　Stiff, Cecil's body.

　Her cherry-red lips begin to move faintly.

　Trembling.

　You're hesitant to speak out your deepest desires.

　But the "order" slowly seeps into Cecil's body and...

　Cecil declared his deepest wish in his own words, clearly.



'I want a child for Nagi-sama.

　He stroked her belly with his slender fingers...



　........................ Huh?

The first one should be a boy who looks just like Nagi.

　Um, excuse me, Cecil?

If possible, I'd like a boy for the second child as well. It's said that when a girl is born, men become obsessed with her. But I don't think we should be too impatient for the second child.

　Of course, Nagi-sama may not like having me as a partner.

　That's why I'm going to do my best. I'm going to work hard and become as good as Rita. If you do that, I'm sure you'll be able to find ....... And then slowly ...... Nagi-sama will teach me a lot of things...



　........................



　I think it's best not to go on record about what Cecil said after that.

　For example, you see, when you're in upper elementary school or junior high school, you fantasize about what it would be like if you were in a relationship with someone you liked, right?

　And sometimes, on sleepless nights, you can accidentally write that fantasy in a notebook, right?

　Cecil talked about it and made it more specific than it needed to be.

　And with a strong addition of the 18-barrel element.

　It's something that Cecil has fully mobilized and further decorated with all the knowledge he has.

　I read it over with a cool head, and I was in a state of agony. It was the kind of thing that I would either have to change schools the day someone else saw it or master the idea that my life was over.

　........................ ...

　I see, Cecil was thinking about that....

　I see... I didn't know Cecil was doing that while I was sleeping.

　What a surprise.

　I mean, it's time to get it over with.

　Um, does this 'order' not stop until you're done talking about your desires and everything?　Hey.

You know what, Rita?

Hey, Nagi.

I think I'm going to take what I just heard to my grave.

You fit in. That's what I was thinking.

You're my slave, aren't you?

You are my master.

We didn't hear anything.

We didn't hear anything. But Nagi.

What the f*ck?

"Nagi is ...... once you go to sleep, you don't wake up no matter what you do next to her?

I was tired after being on a different world for so long!

'But I didn't know that. I didn't know that demons had a body manipulation technique to make their breasts bigger.

............

It's a strange saying that the effect is more powerful when you're not wearing anything. Cecil-chan makes an incredible effort every night...

So let's take it to the grave, that kind of thing!

Again, I'm sorry, Nagi. I didn't mean to do anything naughty to you, Cecil.

I don't want an apology right now. ......

I think it's more of a load of reason.

It's being chipped away at in an ongoing process: ......

Hang in there.

Rita, are you having fun?

Do you understand?

Yeah, I know.

I'm having fun, or at least I'm thinking it's going to be fun.

What?

Hint. Cecil is a girl.

I know.

And I'm a girl too.

...... I know that.

I'm sorry, I'm not going to tell you anymore. Come on, Nagi, you can do it!

　Then Rita put her hand to her lips and laughed.

　The words of Cecil, who had been talking incessantly as if he had timed it, were cut off.

　As it is, she collapsed from her knees with a thud and fell to her knees.......oh no!

　I rushed to reach out and hug the little body.

"Hey, Cecil. Are you okay?

Dear Nagi......

　Cecil opened his eyes.

　Good. It's the original Cecil.

My 'Senza-Ishiki'-what did you say?

........................... ......... or at least she didn't say she didn't like human beings.

Why are you looking away?

It was a very peaceful desire, yes.

What did he say?　I

Um, .......

　Peacefully translating what Cecil said: ...... it's

'I want a family,' he said.

......

　Cecil's eyes lit up.

　He had an idea.

That's right. That's right, I want to have a family. That's the right thing to do!

　Oh, good.

　I guess they'll understand.

I'm glad to hear that ...... I don't hate people.

He said he loved it.

　It's enough to make me feel wary.

'Thank you ...... Nagi-sama. Now you can be at ease ...... with Nagi-sama. I see. I've been wanting to have a family .......

　Cecil keeps nodding his head.

　To make a replacement for the family members he lost by himself.

　I don't care what form the blood of the demon race takes, I don't care what form it takes, I can connect it to the future.

　That's what I wanted for my 'Senzaiki', isn't it?

I can't thank you enough, Nagi-sama. Now that I know what I want to do, I want to work towards my dream of creating a family while serving Nagi.

Yeah. That's good to hear.

One day, Nagi-sama would be happy to help us out, even if it's just a little bit of .......

Yeah. I'm good with that.

Oh.

　What?

　Rita's mouth is open.

　Then she held her forehead as if to say, "Aha!

"Cecil-chan's Dream

　Rita tells me with a mouthful.

'Family,'

"We will 'build' a replacement.

"Cooperation.

"Nagi.

　.............................. ............ Oh.

　I've been questioned.



　According to the witch wizard's message, he'd hidden the inheritance in the next room.

　The door was still sealed in The Ancient Language, so I asked Cecil to open it for me.

　Next to the basement was a room that was a complete dead end.

　At the far end of the room, with walls on three sides, was a small treasure chest.

　And the treasure chest was guarded by a metal statue.



　The moment we stepped into the room - we heard a creaking sound.



　The statue in the form of an angel looks at us and starts to move.

　With a thud, it kicks the ground. He spreads his wings and flies in.

　He's so fast!

Cecil!

"'Spirit, avenge my enemy!　'Arrow of Fire'!

　A flaming arrow flew out from Cecil's fingertip - hit the statue and disappeared.

　It's not working!

'Nagi!　Cecil!　Get off me!

　Impact.

　Rita pushed us out of the way.

　A golden statue passes by in front of us. I raise my sword at Rita.

"Rita!

Aah!

　Ta-da!

　The statue's sword shot at Rita's arm. A solid sound.

　Barely, the 'Divine Power Grip' prevented the sword.

　Rita flies a kick at the same time. The statue's shield catches it.

　The statue only shook faintly - no!

"You can't beat this guy!　Everyone retreat!

　I start running with Cecil in my arms.

　I jump into the door that is still open. Rita is...

"Konno ooohh!

　Rita kicked the statue away with both feet. Using her momentum, she jumped.

　I flew backwards and rolled into this room.

　I closed the door in a hurry.



　A bang, bang, bang, bang on the door.

　After a while, it also stopped.

　The statue... what happened to it?

　I opened the door in a haze.

　The statue was back in front of the treasure chest - but...



　Geez, Geez.



　bang



　I closed the door again before the statue that looked at me started to move.

"...... 'Guardian'.

The Guardian...... moving statue?

''Yes. It was created by an old wizard, and it has the habit of protecting a room or a mansion or some other fixed place. It's powered by magic and eliminates intruders - and kills them.

　Cecil squeezed, and hugged my legs.

'I'm sorry. It's too late to remember. I didn't want to put Nagi-sama in danger. ......

I'm okay. Neither Rita nor I are hurt.

　If this is a wizard's lair, then he must have planted that guardian in it.

I've been told that if you have the power, you should get the magic sword. In other words, the "guardian" is there to test your power.

Okay. Whoever is here wants a demon's inheritance.

　Rita said.

　I didn't raise my hand.

　Cecil kept hugging me.

'It's unanimous. What do we do now?

"Leave it alone.

　Now.

　We're not going to fight until we have a plan of attack.

And we'll keep this place to ourselves.

Sansei. Where's Cecil-chan?

Oh, yes, of course.

So don't look so tearful.

　Rita squatted down and wiped the tears from Cecil's eyes.

'Now that your work is done, why don't you go home and take a bath and think about what you're going to do?'

...... yes!

　Cecil laughed.




　By the way, Cecil told me the specs of the 'Guardian' are as follows.

The Guardian is a statue that moves with magical power.

　They have animal-like hearing, sense of smell and sight.

　They have the habit of protecting doors and chests.

　Reduces damage from sword strikes and blows. Does not deal fire magic.

　Recommended Level. 'At least 15 or higher'



　For now, the door was sealed by Cecil in the ancient language.



　It was getting dark while I was doing all sorts of things, so I decided that it was not safe to go back now.

　I stayed in the basement for a while to see if the 'Guardian' came out, but there was no movement at all. It seems he's just guarding the treasure chest.

　The door is sealed with a seal that only responds to ancient languages, so he may not be able to come out.

　Just as the wizard left a note, that guy was really just for 'testing the power of the demon race's successor'.

　At any rate, we decided to spend the night in the basement while we took turns keeping watch.

　The next morning.

　After completing our quest, we decided to return to town.

　We killed 16 large bats this time. We were told to cut off the ends of their ears and take them home as proof that we had defeated them, so we did that. The rest was Cecil's 'Ancient Language' to seal the hidden room and that was it.

　Rita insisted on washing up, so I decided to send her to the communal bathhouse with Cecil and I would go ahead and report to the guild.

　I finished earlier than I expected, so I might as well do the logistics of the magic sword search.

　Aine-san gave me a skill crystal and introduced me to the quest without telling me. I have to repay the debt.

　I went up to the second floor of the grungy building, for some reason.

　Aine was there.

　She was upstairs in the rec room, passed out on the table, asleep.

　Next to her sat a girl in an expensive looking outfit decorated with gold thread.

　She had a rapier slung around her waist. Short, blue hair.

　She's looking at me with her cheekbones on the table.

"Are you the one who finished your quest?

　The blue-haired girl said.

　I held out The Great Bat's Ears in a cloth bag.

'Yes. Here's the proof. Please reward me.''

I can't pay.

　The girl said.




''The Commoner's Guild is closing down as of today.