Story of The Ancient Demon King!

Walk through the Japanese-style city of Kujou with Hildegart and a sword.

The vibrant cherry blossom hues make you feel soothed with admiration.

Adults who are drunk, children who go to festivals, and a variety of other laughter mix to reach their ears.

"... it's busy. It's out to the stall. You don't usually have stalls here, do you?

"That's right. These are festivals and events, and the rest are only allowed to open when the cherry blossoms bloom like this one."

Walk along the riverside streets lined with touristy cherry trees and stalls in a snug Hildegart covered in a hood.

I'm busy eating sake and cherry blossoms while taking off my poor gayagaya and wings.

"That's good, right? Street food is delicious because it is eaten at special times.... but you know what? I don't know if it's the street stall in King's Landing, but I refuse to sell rice or anything like that. You're coming with the chin, right? I don't want to do it."

"There's demand. King's Capital brings together people of all kinds. The target audience is different in terms of land patterns, nutrition, etc. Rice is hard to get into that category."

"... please stop making no sound. It's going to be a shampoo. I need you to hammer me properly at these times."

Walk through the cherry blossom petals, smelling the smell of the stalls.

... but from behind, it's attached to a group of four who are sneaking too far.

I'll keep an eye on those kids with a smile.

"... so where are we headed? Hilde is walking without a doubt."

There it is.

The stopped Hildegart pointed diagonally up.

It was a shrine-like building built on a small high mountain.

From here, you can also see a number of things that look like vermilion torii.

"Oops! That's great, I'm pretty interested. I'm excited."

I'm sure Hildegart took me out because he wanted me to do a little sightseeing for the first time in town. He's a nice kid.

Heard Hildegart is actively hiring disadvantaged children to train in the city before sending them to the Scarlet Chamber of Commerce company.

It seems that there are some cases of children coming to the city asking for employment.

This was an initiative that did not exist in Madame's time, and it was totally in conflict with Madame, who believed that the chosen ones, such as the aristocrats and the rich, were suitable for his company.

That's why everyone is afraid of the queen, and she is very much admired by the newcomers and children here. And so will the children behind it.

"... hmm?

"... hey, Coct, what are you doing? They'll hug you when you're staring."

Hildegart, who had stopped looking at the building a little farther away and spotted me, came back from the crowd.

"... no, it's nothing."

"You're still weird, aren't you...? Let's go. Just look at my back and follow me. Let's get this over with."

Copy that.

Follow Hildegart right after he walks out again.

Still, I was a little surprised. No way...

"... oh? Wait a minute, I'm going to buy this!

I try to buy charcoal-grilled mushrooms that helped me find new dishes.

It really smells sweet. The mushrooms that look like shiitake mushrooms are baked.

"You're telling me you need me first. He's an unbearable man. Patience till you get home."

"That's a word... what's that on your right hand?

He pointed to the juicy chicken skewer, which was tightly gripped in Hildegart's right hand.

"... because I bought it, it would be a waste to eat it, you idiot."

"Oh, what an interesting thing to say!!

Stupid!? I thought you were looking at the yakitori stall, but Hilde couldn't bear to buy it, so he told me to be an idiot!?

"Well, that's fine. This mushroom can be eaten there if cooked. I'll buy it with me."

"What?... No, I'll buy it myself. I'm bringing the money."

"I don't know if you've just come out of the country, but living alone is money. Keep it."

"I've lived alone for quite a long time...."

I remember that anxious day when I left the salted countryside...

"What? How long?"

"I don't know if it's been eight years..."

"Don't talk nonsense. Where are the parents who travel with their babies?"

I received a letter from Hilde.

No, I was about eight years old.

"Hey."

"Hee, hee!!

Hildegart, where even strong shopkeepers are immediately assigned.

The store's uncle was also sweating and freaked out by the feeling of intimidation conveyed by tingling.

"Don't bother. Six. Get ready."

"Six! Thank you!!

... heh, did you notice that?

Hildegart is the president of a large chamber of commerce, but he seems keen on the signs.

Uncle in a good mood for a lot of orders.

"... heeee! One first!

……

Uncle, who had completely become a child, offered Hilde a skewer first, and Hilde also received it silently.

"... if you receive the product first, your hands will be blocked. How are you gonna pay for this?

……

Even if you eat and open your hands, there are still a lot of big yakitori left, and the baked vertebra mushrooms you received are also hot.

I can't help it, so I'll pay for the drawstring wallet.

"Sorry, uncle. Is that enough?

"Ah, ahh, enough. I'll get you a change now, okay?

It was a strange silence, but the store uncle returned the decorations with the remaining five.

I tend to think it's normal, but many people deceive me.

"... hmm, I don't think I owe you anything. I won't thank you."

"No, it's a fine loan. Even if you didn't owe me, don't thank me."

He's a worthy kid.

However, the atmosphere for adults and children seems quite different.

……

A slightly infidel Hildegart flies his eyes in the shadow of a slightly distant tree.

Then, four people obviously freaked out walked in a way that looked like the end of the world.

"Ah, um... Hildegart-sama..."

"This is... um..."

"Well, don't worry, just eat this first."

I'm sure Hildegart followed me worried.

I'll distribute baked shiitake mushrooms and skip the scolding process.

"... hmm"

………

……

…

Eat calm baked shiitake mushrooms near nearby attractions.

"Is that the famous legend of rock cutting? The first swordsman Jube-sama was slashed. It's amazing ~"

"Ooh...!

Right in front of you is a huge rock that looks up.

However, it is divided into two straight sections from the middle and a mirror-like glossy cross-section can be seen.

Surrounded by rope partitions, it's served like a god tree.

Jube, who was still one of the first heroes, cut this big rock, which was sealed by evil spirits during the training period, under a large sword.

"It is believed in this city that Jube has now become the god of the sword. Most people say the first swordsman is stronger than the first hero.

"Wow, that's interesting. Because the first hero is famous for being chaotic. At least as good as that."

It is very easy to understand because Tamaki and Kaede explain it enthusiastically.

Hey, let's go.

"Are you not interested in this? I think it's fun to be able to feel history and culture."

Hildegart, who seems to have finished grilling the skewers, rushes in from behind.

I was hurrying to finish Hilde's errand.

"There's more of them!!

Hildegart's hands were gripped with fresh skewers.

"In just a few moments when I was looking at this, I was able to buy two! It's meat again. I can't eat lunch anymore, so divide it up for everyone!

"... shut up, this is mine. I won't do it to anyone. Besides, you don't have to worry about eating in a few hours."

"Ok! If that's all you have to say, we'll have vegetable dishes for lunch! It's a lot of green!

Follow Hildegart as he turns his heel and runs away, while consolidating his determination to stir-fry special vegetables.

"Ah, like that Hildegart-sama..."

You're really close ~

The astonishing Kaede and the smiling Tamaki followed.

……

♢♢♢

By the time they climbed the hundreds of stairs leading to the shrine, Hildegart and the four of them, except me, were breathing constantly.

"Oh... it's a nice view in front and behind. It's a spectacular view. The wind feels good, and it's worth the trouble."

From the top of the stone staircase, it overlooks the downstairs streets of Kujou.

"I have something to do with the Lord. Tell them to wait here when the other kids come up."

"All right, let's go. Shout me if anything happens. I'm going to jump."

I don't need it.

He went quickly to the splendid shrine standing in front of him.

Buildings are decent, but gardens are well maintained and, above all, stylish. This is a real attraction, isn't it?

Amiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

"Oh, no, you...!

Hmm?

Hyde the Bug came up the stairs with a wooden sword on his staff.

Slightly below you can see Kaede and Ran-kun climbing desperately out of breath, and Tamaki climbing on all fours.

"You're early, Hyde. Hilde said to wait here, so you can rest for a while."

"Hah... you can go home now... and I'll protect Hildegart-sama."

Hide-kun told me with his eyes flaming with a sense of purpose.

"... my leg is a freshly born deer."

"Kh...!

My tired legs are crunchy. Looks like a boxer with a good punch.

"Oh, I can't forgive your attitude towards Hildegarto...! I can't trust a guy like that in the first place!

"... sure."

For the time being, it wasn't an attitude toward the chairman or senpai who is my boss...

Hyde... No, you're right, Hyde.

"Nah, what are you arguing about, you guys...."

The others came up too.

Senpai Kaede, who starts sitting down and breathing, comes into our conversation at once.

"No, it wasn't an argument, it was a suggestion from Senpai Hide about his attitude toward President Hildegart and senpai. I was wrong. I apologize for any disrespectful behavior."

"Polite!?

Discipline yourself in the same tone as you would in a glass.

"No, no, no, no! We've never been so careful how we talk in our own company! Eggs say Coct speaks better!

"Hee, hee... uhh, uhh..."

Mr. Tamaki fell down on a stone fold.

But with guts, he appeals the mystery of slightly placing his fist.

"If you don't like Hildegart, you can order him yourself!... Hyde! Don't you feel ashamed of your junior?!

"Oh, I didn't say anything wrong! You're not telling us to do that! Only Hildegart-sama!!

What was that about?

Hide-kun seems to be particularly fond of Hildegart. That's why you didn't like me talking to Chairman Hildegart.

……

Hey, new guy.

"Eh... what is it...?

As I watched the quarrel between Kaede-san and Hide-kun, Run-kun, who was silent, suddenly spoke to me under pressure.

He was about the same height as an old boy, and he seemed to get along...

"I'm older than you."

"Uh-huh, of course it is.

"Get me some grass mochi. Within three minutes."

……

I'm about to be pacified.

They demand grass cakes because of their baked soba noodle noodles.

"Run! Are you going to let juniors buy grass cakes again!?

"Nh!!

"Are you a regular criminal...?

What a habit of blackmailing grass cakes, Mr. Run.

Ran-kun ran away to the building in a hurry, scolded by Kaede-san who noticed.

I wonder where that health was left.

"... now, you can go home. I'll be the only escort."

……

I don't know what to say.

You can't say it like this, and you're going to need a skillful way to talk to your opponent while giving it away.

"Huh? You can't beat an adult in a dojo. You're Hildegard-sama's escort? It's a level where you can't reach a crowd of dicks, hands, or feet.... what are you talking about, really?"

Mr. Kaede said that he was in trouble. It's not even refreshing because it's relentless.

"Ugh, shut up! I'll buy you as much time as you need to run away!!

"Calm down, Hyde. You feel good trying to help someone, but I don't think that's a good idea right now. [M] Above all, I don't think Hildegart wants it. Isn't that right?"

"... Hildegart-sama..."

"Yes, here's one thing, let's talk about it with a little hunger."

As blood came up on my head and became hot in my buddies' reasoning, I told them calmly with a smile on my face.

"First of all, that noisy weapon is innocent. Throw it away because it's dangerous."

"Don't tell the kid with the sword!!

Shit.

♢♢♢

Tough chicken and frogs are in a bad mood.

I was worried about my breathing balls.

Hildegart-sama is strong. Enough to bring it all together and take it down.... what about you? You can't beat an adult. And what happens when two or three people come? Do you want me to take care of you and fight you one by one? With that wooden knife. "

"This..."

The puncture increases in the way you say it, and I am confused about how to deal with the troubled face.

"Hey, Coct, what do you think we should do?

"Even if the elderly don't have to fix it...."

But Coct couldn't help but look, and he never tried to speak up.

……

But... well, Coct turned to the sky in one direction of the city.

…… What's wrong with you?

……

In response to the mysterious question of the balls, Kokto basically...

――

I pulled out my sword.

"Coct-kun!?

The spoiled sheath hits the cobblestone with a creepy sound.

"What!?....."

"Well, what's the matter, Kokto...."

All three are afraid of the light of the real blade of the sword.

Thin, sharp, hard, cold, inorganic...

The shape was correctly 'slashed', but it was created only by virtue of its mission.

So beautiful, that's why it's scary.

A boy younger than ourselves is not fit to have, and until now I have somehow despised it as if it were a toy.

……

But Coct's appearance with the sword is different from the previous one.

Along with the sophisticated air of the shrine, there were harsh signs beyond the reach of many people, like the Shinto Buddha.

"... you're here..."

The gaze of the three men, who felt an unknown fear in Coct's murmuring, followed nature and the path facing his eyes.

"......!?

Chilly light falls from the sky.

The light quickly grows and instinctively realizes that it is heading towards us.

And you don't have time to speak up.

――

At the same time, Coct's blade was shaken.

A lightly shaken sword jumps into a sparkling instant.

A tall treble echoed the balls' ears.

"... uhhhh"

The next thing I heard after the dagger that almost finished blinking was Coct's sighing.

"... yes, what was that...?

"It's a raid. I can't say for sure, but I think they're after me with a bow."

Coct answered the unexpectedly overflowing question of Kaede briefly.

At his feet, two arrows fell in support of his remarks.

"Arrow...? Is that the light...?

"There was a lot of magic in it. I think they were gonna blow us all up here."

……

It was also a satisfactory amount of light.

Even before reaching the main hall, the entrance, including ourselves, would have been shattered.

"... you're coming again."

Without this child.

"There's a lot of them this time... don't move."

A flat voice with little upset. Unwavering ordinary mind.

It was the biggest discomfort.

Why the arrows, why themselves, who the hell, how. I have no choice but to be more concerned than that.

An incredible skill to dazzle and rip apart that dazzling magical arrow.

"You...."

Especially Hyde, because he had some knowledge, he even felt thin until he could not imagine how tall the blade was.

It's a dojo teacher and not far away...

"......!

Ruthless arrows fly from the blue sky to Coct.

Unlike the previous shot, with minimal magic, it attacked Coct.

The children are stunned by the speed and power of the arrows that fall like bullets.

Hmm!

A knife that uses its tiny body to the fullest, and is sometimes shaken to jump, cuts off arrows as funny and accurate as possible.

I only thought it was a dance or a play.

Coct's beautiful curved swordsmanship, which can only be seen as moving on a predetermined path.

They just let go of the powerful force that comes from the contact between the killer arrow and the sword dance.

"─!"

The last arrow was knocked down by an intense slash.

"... you're done?

Next time... it won't come down.

Looks like it's over.

Things didn't swallow much, but we survived. The three of them are relieved and relax from their strong body...

... but with the sound of slashing the wind as a remnant, I skilfully shredded my sword and looked up at the sky.

"... you're definitely getting it. Are you sure you want to do this...? Hmm, this is... troublesome."

Coct, who showed so much strength, murmured with a serious expression.

"... what's wrong... what's wrong..."

"The attacker who shot this arrow is dangerous. Very much."

"Eh, eh...."

I know a hundred things about such a thing, even with the extra-large magic included in it.

"Power and accuracy are a threat, and I can't overlook them..."

More wrinkles appeared between his eyebrows and Coct told him.

"... the biggest problem is we don't know where the attacker is. To be honest... I can't do it."