8 Episode 8 "The Story of the Demon Girl and the Sto...




"The ...... family?

 I asked back, but Lisette went red-faced and shut up.
 Maybe I heard wrong.
 I'm not sure what the rules of this world are yet, but I'm pretty sure that ...... you're not going to be talking about joining a family when you first meet them, are you? I'm not sure I'd be able to live in such a chaotic world.

 Lysette is stammering. The children were excited after the ...... battle and were making a lot of noise, so they didn't hear.
 I'd rather not ...... mention it here.

 We're walking down a hard-packed road. On either side is a forest with tall trees. The children tell us that the village will be in sight soon. As we go, the path gets wider and wider until four children can walk side by side.

 It is said that the villagers cut the road for hunting and carrying goods. I really feel at ease in a place with human hands. We were in the realm of demons just now.

That's a 'truca nut' right there. There are many of them around the village, so eat them when you get hungry. Just be careful with the blue ones.

 Lysette tells me, pointing to the trees on either side of me.
 But I still can't tell the difference.
 Maybe I'll be able to tell the difference if I awaken a dragon species. It also sharpens your senses.

 After a rest, I'll have to look into my skills.
 I know my skills can be used in combat. I think I can protect the village from demons.
 I should be able to use it to defend the village from demons if I just step forward when the enemy attacks, spit out a breath, and step back when my magic runs out. By defending the village in this way, you should be able to make a place for yourself.

 I'll leave the security of this world itself to the true summoners.

You can't fight the world, you know. ......
"The world? Shoma-sama?

 Lisette is puzzled.

"It's nothing.
"...... Yes?

 I gave her a curious look, but she didn't listen.
 Instead, she squeezed my hand.

I'm sure you'll be fine.

 ...... I'm fine with that. I'm...
 I'm embarrassed.
 I'm not sure what to make of that. You can tell she has subhuman dragon blood because her ears are slightly pointy and she has a crystal horn behind them.

 To be honest, it's a bit embarrassing for me to walk around with a girl's hand in mine, but the kids around me don't mind.
 I mean, would you please stop looking at me with your eyes twinkling?

I can see it now. That's Hazama Village.

 Lysette said, and the children shouted.
 The forest breaks off and there's a grassy plain on the other side.
 Beyond that is a tall stone wall.
 In the middle of it is a wooden lattice door.
 So that's Hazama Village, where Lisette and the kids live.

 It's a village in a remote area inhabited by subhumans, and all the inhabitants except Lisette are demons. It seems that they live by cultivating fields and trading with human towns. The demons are powerful and are good at hunting and clearing the forest. However, because their village is close to the demon's territory, they are often attacked.

 That's why people like Lisette, who have high fighting skills, are in charge of guarding and protecting the village.
 And I'm going to be helping them from now on.

Can you really ...... do that?

 The closer I get to the village, the more I realize that this is real.
 My skills were able to defeat the demon at least, so I think I'll be fine. ....... Well, there's no point in thinking about it. If I can't, I'll just repay Lisette and leave the village.
 It's not my taste to force myself to stay.

"Hey, ........ Sister Liz... everyone...

 I heard a voice.
 If you look closely, you can see a girl with red hair waving in front of the city wall.

"──── Liz-sister... at your service...!
"Haruka! Don't worry. The children are safe...!
"Haruka-nee...!

 The children are running.
 Lysette tried to run along with them, but then she realized that I was holding her hand and laughed.
 The embarrassed look on her face and nodding indicates that she wants ...... me to run too. If he won't let go of my hand, then maybe.

 I can't help it. I'm not awake right now, so I can't run that fast.
 I thought I could, but Lisette matched my running speed. We reached the castle gate after the children hugged the red-haired girl and then patted her on the head.

"Hey! Didn't I tell you not to go into the forest with children alone?



 After slapping the children lightly, the girl hugged each one of them, giving them a big hug.

I was really worried about you, you know.
""I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Haruka-sama.
"I'm so sorry.
I just wanted to make sure my dads had some good fish when they were out fighting.
I know, but you shouldn't bother my sister Liz. Oh, my God, .......

 With that, the girl released the children.

"Okay? I know, but you can't bother my sister Liz. Don't do anything rash anymore, okay?
""...... Yes!"

 The children of the demon tribe all bowed their heads and shouted in unison.
 The red-haired girl nodded her head in satisfaction and looked at me and Lisette.

 She, Haruka, is about the same height as me. In her hand is a club that is longer than she is tall. When she strikes the ground with it, there is a thud. It's hard and heavy and you can tell it's been used.

 On the top of her head, covered with red hair, she has horns just like the children.
 And then there's the big chest. You can see them clearly because they wear front-fitting clothes, like the kimonos of my world. And the way she's looking at me.
 Oh, ......, you're being watched. That's understandable.

"Liz? That's who.

 The demon girl, Haruka, raised her eyes and said.

You don't know her, do you? You're not a demon or any other subhuman, are you? Human?
"Oh, yes. Your Majesty is...
"Shoma.

 Don't make any sudden, ridiculous introductions.

Nice to meet you. My name is Shoma Kiryu.

 I bowed my head to the girl, Haruka.
 This should be a good way to greet people in this world, right?

I was saved by Lisette when I was lost in the forest. I won't cause you any trouble, so I'll stay in this village for a while... no.

 The way you're holding your club towards me it doesn't look like you're going to be staying in the village.
 Well, that's normal, isn't it?
 Maybe Lisette and the kids were too friendly. Oh, well.

I'd appreciate it if you'd let me rest here in the village for a while.
...... Sounds suspicious.

 The girl, Haruka, stared at me.

It's not like you're a spy sent by some ...... lord to come to this remote area.
You must not doubt this man.

 I'm not sure what to make of it.

I can assure you with my life that this person is not an enemy.
You trust people too much, Liz!

 I'm sure you're not the only one.

I'm not sure what to do, but I'm sure I'll be able to do it. The other people didn't protect us either. That's why the subhumans have been driven to such a remote area.
Except for you, Shoma.
Why?
He saved me and my children!
He's a good man!

 Hey.
 What's with the sudden change in expression?

And to share his strength, Shoma stroked the children's horns.
You're amazing!

 That's so easy!
 As a working adult, I'm starting to worry. Are you okay, subhuman people?

 The demon girl Haruka is looking at me with shining eyes, and the demon children are grabbing my pants, looking up at me and laughing. Lisette is looking at them warmly.
 The mood is completely welcoming. They're so friendly it's almost uncomfortable.

Nice to meet you. I'm Haruka Karmilia. My sister Liz and I have known each other since childhood and we've grown up together like sisters. Welcome to Hazama Village, Shoma Kiryu-san!

 Haruka, a girl from the demon tribe, declared with a big smile on her face.
 She threw the club she was holding earlier to the ground. She seems to be having a lot of fun, her large breasts swaying as she stares at me. It's a lie that she was so cautious just now.

I'm sorry about earlier! If there are not many normal people in this village, ...... you know, I was surprised. This Haruka-Karmilia, I sincerely apologize. If there's anything you want me to do, just let me know. I'll tell you more later, but first you should get some rest.


"...... yeah. Thank you.

 That was all I could say.
 Haruka, the demon girl, the children, and of course Lysette are welcoming me.
 It's really a lot.

 Oh man, .......
 I was going to protect the village for the price of having you here, and that would be the only thing I would fight for.
 ...... You can't leave me alone. I'm not sure what to do.

Can I take a break for now?
Yeah. Of course!

 Haruka nodded with a big smile on her face.

I just need ...... to do one thing for me.
What is it? What is it?

 Why are you looking so excited?
 Why do you keep coming at me like that? It smells good.

I want you to keep it a secret that I defeated a demon with the power of a dragon.

 I've shown my dragon power to Lysette and the kids, so I can't help it.
 You can't keep it a secret if the demon girl, Haruka, is so close to Lisette that she calls her "sister Liz".

 But I want to stop the information there. I don't know how the people in the village will react if they find out that I, who is not of the Dragon Emperor's blood, can use the power of the dragon. It's not good for a stranger like me to upset a peaceful village. I'd like to talk about it later, when things have settled down.

So, if possible, can we pretend that the demon was defeated by Lisette? If people find out about my power, they might be surprised.
I understand. Shoma-sama.

 That was a quick answer.

Haruka and everyone else, is that okay?
Of course. You're on our side, aren't you, Shoma? That's enough for me.

 Haruka patted him on the chest.
 He was a good man.

If you want to keep it a secret, I'll keep my mouth shut.

 Then he squatted down, made eye contact with the children, and said.

"You heard me, right? You heard me, right?
"Yes! I'll keep the fact that Brother Shoma can use dragon power a secret!
Okay, okay.

 The children chanted, and Haruka patted everyone's head. I don't know why she pats my head too.

Then let's enter the village.

 Lisette took my hand.

I'll take you to a place where you can rest first.
Thank you. Thank you.

 Maybe it's because the goddess rejuvenated me, but I'm still strong.
 But I'm mentally exhausted. A lot.
 Besides, I've got some things to think about in a safe place.
 There's something I need to check with the goddess about.








 And the children, after Shoma left them...



Do you know how worried I was about you? You stupid son!

 "You stupid son!
 One of the children who had been hit on the head cowered on the floor.

"I'm sorry, ......, Mom.
Oh, no. It's a good thing that Master Lisette happened to be outside the village. ......

 The child's mother looked out the window and sighed.

But why would she bring a human into the village? I'm not sure if you can trust that human being,......, though Lizette said she would explain later.
Don't say anything bad about my brother Shoma!

 Pop.

 The child's small fist struck the mother's leg.

I'm sure you'll be happy to know that he saved our lives. He's so cool and he's such a good person! You can't say anything bad about him!
"Oh, I see. But it was the people of King's Landing who drove the demon tribe to this remote area. ...... Of course, I think I know that there are good people who are also human. ......
"............ Ugh.
Oh, don't cry. I'm sorry. You like that Shoma brother of yours, don't you? But ......
He's so powerful, he killed a demon!


How powerful?
"It spewed flames out of its mouth and scorched all the demons! I saw it!
No way! Only a person with dragon's blood can do that. ......
...... Lysette told me that she met my brother Shoma at the Dragon Emperor's Temple.
In the Dragon Emperor's Temple?
That's a secret! I told you because you're my mother!
I know, I know. Okay. ......
Lysette said it was true! I know. It's a secret!
Okay, okay. Okay. If you're the Dragon Emperor's errand boy, you can't be too rude.





Aaahhhh!
Hey, hey. You don't have to cry at .......
"Because your mother says you're a bad ...... brother.
I don't care what you say, but people who don't know you can't help it. ......
You're not my brother! I'm not sure what to make of it. I'm sure you're not the only one.
No way!
Don't tell anyone about this.
I know. I see. So you're saying that you've been attracted to Lysette's dragon blood. ......



You idiot!
What the hell is he doing? Why are you defending a human?
"Brother Shoma is...



 And so, the rumor quickly spread throughout the village.