Isayoi, Master Izayoi, does the Devil's Spear seek blood tonight?
'Huh......... Of course. Every time I defeat the foolish humanity, Sion-sama becomes stronger.......!　Then let me offer all of humanity as sustenance for Lord Zion!

　I was savoring the crimson liquid that I poured into a glass with my friend who defends the dominion territory with me - Lord Izayoi.

''But, Saburou-dono. This drink - the Tomato Juice is delicious.

　A noble vampire like my people would like to taste red wine, but unfortunately, red wine did not exist within the dominant territory. As a bitter measure, they had substituted squeezing the tomatoes grown by the humans captured by Zion-sama.

　--~~.

　What?　Is that a phone call?

　The name of the caller - Yataro-dono - was displayed on the smartphone.

'It's Saburo. Did you need my help?

　Most of Yataro-dono's errands are defense requests.

"Saburo, is Izayoi with you?
Hmm. Master Izayoi is close by. And to which dominion should I head?
'No, no. This is not the same thing. Would you be so kind as to join Izayoi in my room?
Yes, sir.

　When the phone call with Yataro-dono was over, Izayoi-dono called out to him.

'Is this Yataro-dono?'
Hmm.
Where do you want me to go?
This is something else.
Another matter...?
Hmm. For now, let's go to Yataro-dono's room together.

　I went with Izayoi-dono to the [Transitional Device] that led to the vicinity of Yataro-dono's room.


　◆


I'm sorry to call you out on such short notice.

　When I entered Yataro-dono's room with Izayoi-dono, Yataro-dono greeted me with a good-natured smile.

'So, what can I do for you?'
Mm. I want you to meet some new people.
New friends?
Hmm. You're more of an apprentice than a companion now. Theon asked me to raise you.
From Master Theon?
Hmm. Here, Setanta say hello.

　The child next to Yataro-dono raised his hand with an innocent smile.

''Yes!　Nice to meet you!　My name is Setanta!

　Hmm. So this is my apprentice.... As expected of you, Lord Theon, you have a keen eye. You have foreseen my hidden talent, my nurturing skills!　I guess my charisma cannot be hidden even if I wanted to!

This child is under the control of the SSR (Supesar Suppare). Master Sion is looking forward to his future.

　SSR? As I recall, Maple was also an SSR. In other words, a rare and valuable subordinate produced by the 《Random Number Creation》. To entrust such an important leader to me....

''Then I'll leave the training of Setanta to you--Izzayoi.
"By the command of Lord Theon!　This Izayoi, let's risk our lives and raise him to be a strong man of the past!

　--!

　Yataro-dono pushed Setanta's back towards Izayoi-dono, and Izayoi-dono put his hands on his chest and looked up to the heavens with an impressed expression.

'Wait!
"What's happening?

　A cry from my soul confuses Lord Yataro.

Yataro-dono.........has he lost his mind?
Please don't be rude...
To my ears I heard that the little master there was Master Izayoi, Lord Izayoi.
Yes. Izayoi is in charge of training the Setanta.
Why do I have to...!　Why.........!
Well, it seems that the Setanta's favorite weapon is the spear.
This is the age...
Please don't be rude...
"My own!　You should have forgotten what my weapon of choice is!　A spear and a stabbing sword (rapier) are the same stabbing attack!

　I take my love sword - the abyssal, empty stabbing sword (Dark Soul) (Mithril Rapier) - and take a stabbing stance.

"This is not to be wielded in my room!
No, I won't stop you!　I will not stop until you give me a reason to believe that I have a good reason to do so!

　I demonstrated a brilliant stabbing technique to awaken Lord Yataro.

''It's Theon!　Zion has given orders to Izayoi to train them!

　--!

　....by Master Theon's orders?

　Sion-sama's slightly clumsy and embarrassed expression of affection - my whole body remembers the heat of the Firelance.


"Of course!　If you want, you can check with Theon directly!

　Confirming with Lord Theon..... If Yataro-dono's speech is correct, Lord Sion's passionate affection (fire lance) will scorch my body.

''Gunnu.''

　My people gnash their back teeth.

'Well, good, we will both raise Setanta!　Theon won't complain about it.
Really?
It's true. It's true!　So put that sword away.
Yes....

　I put away my beloved sword and look at my new disciple.

''Kid!　My people are hard to teach!
I'll raise you to be my best man!
'Yes!　Nice to meet you!

　Are you undaunted by the scrutiny of our people and Lord Izayoi? A fine piece of work.

"Listen!　Safety is our first priority, and we will train them!
I'm in charge.　Then let's go!
You are Master Theon's property. You will not be allowed to perish?
Yes!

　I left Yataro's room with Izayoi-dono and Setanta.


　◆


Setanta, spear at the ready!
'What?　Aren't you going to go kill the enemy?

　Setanta's mouth twitched in frustration as Lord Izayoi gave his instructions.

'Get ready!'

　Setanta trembles and then holds up his spear after a jolt as Izayoi-dono releases his words with a killing intent.

''Go ahead and poke me with the intent to kill me!
Are you sure?　You'll never know if you regret it!　--Windchase!

　Setanta smiled innocently and sprinted to Izayoi-dono with the wind in his arms.

''Taaaaah!　--One flash thrust!

　Setanta unleashes a godd*mn thrust, but

Sweet!

　He was blown away by a blow from the spear hilt that Izayoi-dono paid off.

''Kuh?　I'm not done yet aaaaah!''

　Setanta quickly got up and sprinted to Lord Izayoi again, delivering one stab after another.

''I admit to being fast ... but I'm light!

　Lord Izayoi continues to heal Setanta's attacks and finally blows Setanta away with a cleaving spear.

　After that, Setanta kept on rushing forward, but Izayoi-dono was not damaged and was blown away repeatedly.

'Hmm.... Although it's still a poor technique, if you're dealing with low-ranked humans, is there any problem?

　Looking down at Setanta lying on the ground, Izayoi-dono was lost in thought.

　In my opinion, Setanta is about as strong as a C-ranked demon. He's stronger than the newly-created Dhampir, but he's no match for the invading member's family.

''Lord Lowe................................Lord Saburo!
Hmm?
What do you think, Mr. Sablow?

　Lord Izayoi poses a question to my people.

　What do you think...?　What?　Let's respond with a special move - a sledgehammer.

Mm. I agree.
Then could you ask Master Yataro if he has any reasonable invaders?
Hm?　An affordable invader?
It's for Setanta.
'Mmm!　That's right!　It was!

　After finally getting the hang of it, I called Yataro-dono. We were informed that an invasion of the Seventh Reign territory was underway, and the three of us decided to head out there.

''There are twelve enemies, sir. Setanta, you know the order in which they should be defeated, don't you?
You just have to start with the weakest guy in the back, right?
A weak-looking human being with a cane, to be exact.
Yes!

　Izayoi-dono was quite good at taking care of things. The fact that it was Sion-sama's order was probably a major factor, but he was teaching Setanta in detail.

　Mmm......... If this was the case, the master position would become Izayoi-dono.

'Setanta,' he said, 'your movements are too linear. Your movements are too linear, even if you are fast, a linear movement alone is easily discerned. Incorporate left and right movements and slowness. Then you will reach greater heights.

　I tell them about Setanta's weaknesses that I sensed from the hand-to-hand combat between Izayoi-dono and Setanta just now.

''Mmm.... I don't really understand the difficulties.''
Then follow my example.
'Ummm...'
Setanta!　Lord Sablow has a point!　Do you understand?
Yes!

　Nuh-uh. I have difficulty with my own opinion and listen to Izayoi-dono's opinion with an open mind. This is a bad, bad situation........

　I'm planning to take measures to save face as a master.

Discover!　I'm off!　--Windchase!

　As soon as they met up with the invaders, Setanta sprinted with the wind.

''--!　Setanta, wait!

　I didn't expect him to jump out of the blue, and the usually calm Izayoi-dono was unusually upset.

''This, child...?''
'What?　The enemy--
'Hello!　And bye-bye!　--One flash thrust!

　Setanta stabs the female invader who was holding her staff in the rear with her god-speed spear.

'The enemy!　Demon King?　A demon king is coming!
Get him!
Surround him!

　The invaders, who had mistaken Setanta for the Demon King, who suddenly appeared and mistakenly mistook him for the Demon King, panicked and began to act to surround Setanta.

''Kuh!　The precious minions that Master Theon entrusted to me...!　Lord Sablow!
Let's go!

　My people and Lord Izayoi began a relentless attack on the invaders.

'My Darkness, you shall penetrate them all!　--Darklance!

　The spear of darkness pierces the humanity that showed its back to surround Setanta.

''--!

''-- [Dark Knight Tempest]!

　The air currents of darkness released by Izayoi-dono collectively engulfed the humanity that had been focusing their attention on Setanta.

'Enemy attack!　...Demon King?　Three Demon Kings?
No!　These guys are my family!
''Why....isn't this control area a place to earn money........''
'Calm down there's three of them!　There's a way to live!

　When the invaders saw us and Lord Izayoi, they fell into a state of panic.

''A way of life...?　Huh, when you met me, your time has already come to an end! I am the one who brought you despair. You will be sorry for your own misfortune in meeting me!　--Fast Thrust!

　My people closed the distance in a moment and sent a divine speed stab at one of the invaders who was close at hand.

　Setanta, unaware of our attention, attacks the rearguard invader with an innocent smile and waving his spear. Izayoi-dono continues to shoot magic from behind and stands around to prevent the attack from focusing on Setanta.

　This time the invaders are at a low level. They are just opponents that Setanta has groomed for practice. If my people and Izayoi-dono get serious, one by one, the invaders will fall to the ground.

　Phew......... We have escaped Setanta's predicament, but this is no way to raise them.

　After defeating the humanity in front of us, my people let out a sigh........

　--!

　A lone invader is happily swinging his axe behind Setanta, who's taking down the rearguard humans!

Setanta!
'Kuh!　--Fast Thrust!

　It's unlikely that Setanta will disappear with a single blow from that axe, but if it turns into a scrap object, there's no telling what Lord Zion will do to it. My people closed the distance between them and humanity, who were raising the axe at a momentary speed, and stabbed the stabbing sword into their necks.

''Seta!　You're not alone in this!　Be alert to your surroundings!

　After gallantly rescuing Setanta from his predicament, my colleague sent a scolding message to Setanta.

''Yes!''
'Yes ... not!　Do not take the field of battle if you are a child who does not know the laws of war!　-- "Thousand Thrust.

　At Setanta's reply, which shows not a shred of remorse, my people get angry and annihilate the humanity that was close to them with a god-speed stab.

''Do you understand?!''
'Yes I'm sorry...'

　Setanta, pushed by the spirit of my people, finally shows remorse.

　After that, Setanta and Izayoi-dono, who became atrocious, worked together to clean up the 12 invaders.

''Um.......sorry about earlier........''

　Afterwards, Setanta, who was also scolded severely by Lord Izayoi, became as docile as a puppy. The sight of him made me feel a strange emotion in my heart - paternity.

Hmm. Henceforth, it is good to know. From now on, I will allow you to follow me as a father, or rather an elder brother. I promise to take care of Setanta as my brother and raise him as my own!
'My brother...?　Um, Mr. Saburo is my brother?
'Yes!　From now on, you may call me big brother!

　I knew that there was a desire for a younger sister in me, but I didn't know that there was also a desire for a younger brother....

''Oh........brother?''

　--!

　When I look up at Setanta, who I call big brother, I feel like a sealed door in my own mind is about to open.

It's time for you to go. Seta, let's aim for greater heights with your brother!
'Yes!　Big brother!　Let's be strong together!

　This is how I was able to bond with my new brother, Setanta.