Deathbringer entered the castle easily. Whether they had forgotten that it was breached by a brat ten years ago, the security was still sloppy, so infiltrating wasn't difficult.

The route to the secret passage was the same. Even though the Lord had changed, the location of the flower garden and the annex hadn't changed, so there was no reason to get confused.

Well, just one thing. A storehouse had been built on the path he originally used. So he had to detour toward the flower garden.

However, it wasn't much of a problem. Because there was a bush maze, and there were plenty of flowers and trees to serve as cover.

[I will praise you. If you hadn't made a mistake, I wouldn't have known until the end.]

But why was the office moved down to the first floor, and why on earth was it connected to the flower garden?

Furthermore, why is that human with the exact same description as the Young Lord making such a meaningful-looking contact with someone who isn't even family? If it really is the Young Lord, doesn't that human have a fiancée?

Is it an affair? Is it really an affair? But then again, his expression doesn't look like it.

[You have quite the skill for a mere human.]

Not to mention, he had just peeked his head out a little to figure out what the situation was with this bizarre scene. Yet the affair partner (presumed) noticed it immediately.

As a bonus, vines suddenly grew and dragged him down from the tree to the floor.

It was impossible unless one was a mage.

The problem was that before entering, he had confirmed with an observation item that there were no magic users around.

He wondered what on earth that person who popped out despite that was. Were they able to counter the magical artifact because they were a mage?

[However, that is no reason to let you off─.]

"Wait a minute!!"

Setting that aside, the white-gold human, who looked extraordinary just at a glance, was about to raise their hand. The one who blocked them was the Young Lord (presumed).

"P-Please wait just a moment."

Not stopping there, the Young Lord (presumed) smiled, lowering the corners of his eyes to the point of subservience.

At that, the white-gold entity withdrew its hand and smiled back. Seeing the sheer sweetness dripping from them, that person definitely seemed to have feelings for the Young Lord.

[What is it?]

"T-That is..."

On the other hand, as for the Young Lord, well.

For someone acting coy to get something, his expression was stiff. It didn't seem like he ended up like this because he wanted to.

"H-He is merely a thief. I will punish him separately, so please focus your attention on me."

Then it meant a dynamic had been formed where the Young Lord had no choice but to flatter the other party purely because of their status or power.

What on earth was their identity for the Young Lord to become so subservient? How many ranks were there in the world that could make even a Young Lord act so spineless?

[Lovely thing. But how do you know if that is a thief, or perhaps an assassin? You yourself only came to this position because the Lord was assassinated ten years ago.]

Deathbringer eavesdropped on their conversation while gauging whether he could escape or not.

Honestly, those last words hit a little close to home. Assassination. Deathbringer's eyes sank.

"That is..."

[Whether a thief or an assassin, they are equally good-for-nothing existences. So I will dispose of him for you.]

Meanwhile, he was neither a thief nor an assassin.

Since he hadn't come in with permission, he could be called an intruder, but either way, his goal wasn't the castle's treasures or someone's death, was it? He just wanted to pass through.

Well, not that this would serve as an excuse.

"I-I will!"

At that moment, the Young Lord shouted abruptly. Drip. The tears that seemed to have stopped for a moment fell upon his cheeks once again.

"Am I not crying? You should, you should be comforting me..."

The white-gold entity opened its eyes a little wider.

[Oh my... I should indeed, I must have gotten my priorities wrong. Of course you come first.]

He wasn't sure why he had to watch this, but anyway, it seemed the Young Lord was doing that to save him, so he was thankful.

But was this the only way?

Deathbringer felt uneasy watching a scene that outwardly looked infinitely close to a romance. Since time was of the essence, he couldn't hide his bitter taste.

A Young Lord forcing himself to perform a mating dance toward an entity of overwhelming status? It was pitiful, but not that pitiful. Of course, wasn't he at the very top of the power hierarchy?

The world he had lived in was one where, in order to survive, one had to go beyond selling their heart and completely crush it.

To him, who grew up watching such people, the Young Lord might be pitiable, but he wasn't an object of sympathy. Because that human was at least suffering after enjoying everything he could enjoy.

[Have the guards called to dispose of that...]

Anyway, was the conclusion an arrest? In truth, even if he were thrown deep into that underground prison, it wasn't like he had no way to escape, but things had gotten tangled.

Before he could escape, if the priests came to the castle and started asking around for him, the situation would turn into a headache.

[... Unwelcome things keep flocking in one after another.]

"...?"

However, it seems even if the ground caves in, you don't necessarily have to fall.

Deathbringer harbored the hope that perhaps chaos would ensue, giving him an opportunity.

[They are the soldiers of God.]

He was wrong. If the ground caves in, of course you have to fall.

"Why is the Temple..."

Whether it was an unarranged visit—though that would be obvious—the Young Lord also expressed bewilderment. Even in that moment, hope stealthily raised its head in his eyes.

[It seems they are chasing something...]

The white-gold entity fiddled with the Young Lord's hair and soon let out an 'Ah.'

[So it's you. The cause for their arrival.]

And its gaze fell upon Deathbringer once again. At those beast-like eyes, he instinctively shrank back. It felt as if a tiger was standing right in front of him with not a single obstacle between them.

[I left you alone according to the agreement, but now that you have messed up my front yard, it is different.]

Agreement?

A bothersome word fleetingly passed by.

[Capture him at on─.]

Either way, he was about to resign himself, thinking his capture was certain at this point.

The white-gold entity abruptly cut off its words mid-sentence. The sharply turned head frowned with its fine brows, filling its face with pure annoyance.

[How dare...]

There was no way to know what else had appeared. Deathbringer and the Young Lord, mere humans and practically no different from ordinary civilians, unraveled their doubts in their own ways.

CRASH!

Soon, with a roaring boom, a corner of the flower garden was flipped upside down. It was strong enough that debris splattered even to him and the Young Lord, who were far away.

SSSSS.

[Are you alright?]

"Y-Yes. I'm alright since you blocked it, but..."

DeB roughly blocked the flying debris with the hem of his clothes and looked through the sandstorm. Through it, a pitch-black ink color could be seen faintly.

In addition, as a little time passed and the dust cloud settled, a much clearer gray compared to the ink color. Pale skin even whiter than that. Something like a red wine color, also known as the blood of God.

[Sigh.]

"Ah..."

"That person is..."

FLUTTER.

The moment the three-pronged coat tails swayed like feathers, the owner of all those features raised his head through the dust cloud.

[I knew I shouldn't have trusted the demons.]

"Found you."

The eyes born from ash drew a sword.

[I should have killed you the moment you set foot on this land, even after I gave you two signals.]

Had I chased him on impulse and lost him on impulse?

Along with the drops of blood flowing down my cheek, I barely heard an explanation of the situation from the Inquisitor. Even that was just a short sentence that DeB seemed to have harbored demonic energy.

Naturally, I couldn't be convinced by just that. So I decided to continue chasing him. Coming all the way to the castle was also because the priests had said they could feel demonic energy coming from this direction.

It was my calculation that the Archmage or the Inquisitor would cover for the trespassing later.

[I generously overlooked you despite you reeking of a fishy stench and possessing demonic energy, but you dare run amok without knowing your place?]

But how exactly was the situation playing out right now?

CLANG.

As soon as I grasped the people around where I landed, I was attacked by one of them. It was the entity that was stuck incredibly close to the Young Lord.

"W-Wait a moment!"

[I will not go easy on you any longer.]

To be honest, seeing the two stuck so closely together and them even wiping the Young Lord's tears, I thought, 'Huh? An affair?'

But before that thought could deepen, I ended up crossing blades with that opponent. Strictly speaking, I was the only one with a sword and the opponent had elongated nails, but anyway.

"Hah."

On top of that, setting aside the 'trusting demons' or 'fishy stench' parts, the phrase 'possessing demonic energy' came out.

It meant that even in the midst of this mess of a situation, a remark had popped out that I couldn't ignore due to my concept.

"I don't know who's telling who to know their place."

So what else could I do?

"You're the one reeking of a beast's foul stench."

I had to fire off my hellish muzzle that ruins even misunderstandings that could be resolved through conversation.

[A mere human dares to insult me!]

"N-No, you can't!"

I saw DeB trying to sneak away from behind, took a step back, and then observed the one lunging at me again. My priority was DeB, but this opponent didn't look like a pushover either. It didn't seem like I could get past them easily.

Of course, just looking at their appearance made that obvious. I had considered the Young Lord to be the ultimate boss of good looks, but this one's appearance was just as formidable, wasn't it? Their outfit and color coordination even made them look flashier at a glance.

But would such a flashy person really be just a passing character?

Furthermore, if you scrutinized their features closely, there was no human touch. Setting aside the beauty or ugliness of their appearance, they gave off the feeling of not being quite human.

Especially when you add the 'mere human' remark.

They really don't seem human, do they?

CLANG.

I crossed swords once again. However, in my opponent's case, their other hand was also a weapon, so they swung it in place of the blocked one.

The elongated nails aimed for my head.

SWOOSH.

Not wanting to give it even a piece of my cheek, I pulled my body back and kicked it in the solar plexus. The cut on my face was enough with just one.

[...!]

The opponent also dodged my kick. However, it must have been quite humiliating that their physical body was almost attacked. The corners of their lips trembled before they bared their elongated fangs.

"Biryuho!!"

The Young Lord's shout, which was close to a scream, rang in my ears. Biryuho. From what I remembered, it was the former master of the eastern region and the primeval beast settled there.

"Young Lord, what is happening?!"

"Young Lord, are you alr—!"

"I-Intruders?!"

"It is dangerous, Young Lord!"

Wow. After the Sea Dragon and the Mountain Lord, I finally meet Biryuho too. So this is an essential boss for the story progression, right? It means I have to go through them no matter what, right?

"No, if you come here...!"

[You who sold your flesh to the demonic!]

But isn't the timing too much? I still have matters to settle with DeB, you know? Why DeB tried to leave, why he came to harbor demonic energy, my head already hurts just from those facts right now, okay?!

Why do we have to meet right now of all times? Can't you postpone it a little?

"... Do not insult me!"

However, ignoring the opponent and leaving in this situation didn't fit my concept either. Even before that, it didn't seem like the opponent would let me go.

Thinking that all sorts of disasters were piling up when I was already busy, I gripped my sword properly.

"Go back!"

The Young Lord was struggling to send the guards away, taking advantage of this opening.

"But there are intruders!"

"Please come this way!"

Unfortunately, due to the presence of me and Biryuho—presumably—it wasn't going to be easy. It was a problem that the guards' professionalism was too thorough.

"Young Hunter, are you her-. Huh? Comrade!!"

To make matters worse, the Berserker pushed past the guards, ran over, and even poked her head out. The situation fell into even greater difficulty.

"The intruders have reached this far!"

"Young Lord, you must evacuate!"

"No matter if they are from the Temple, to arrive here without permission!"

"We will remember this...!"

Wow, what a mess, what a mess. I glanced around to assess the surroundings while dealing with Biryuho, who was relentlessly attacking.

Biryuho was fast, but not to an unbearable level, and their attacking pattern was simple, so it was possible.

It wasn't like the other primeval beasts that were so gigantic they caused damage with just a slight movement either.

Above all, they didn't seem to be fighting properly, perhaps not wanting to cause damage to the surroundings either. I, too, wasn't using magic out of fear of causing collateral damage, so we were basically on equal footing.

Their attacks weren't working, mine weren't working. We were just throwing a temper tantrum...

[You should have just died obediently, putting up a useless struggle...]

But it seemed they were also annoyed by the stalemate caused by our attacks not working on each other.

The opponent distorted their face even more and narrowed their eyes fiercely.

Whether it was magic power or an overwhelming aura, it gathered around the opponent, stirring up all sorts of winds. Its platinum-blonde hair was wildly fluttering, as if it would spike straight up like a Super Syan from Dagon Ball.

Furthermore, the hands and bare feet that had been slightly visible through the fluttering clothes instantly sprouted fur, transforming into something like a beast's.

THUD!

But even though that was all that changed, the ground suddenly sank. As if its weight had increased.

[You finally made me use my power.]

And then...

[Die.]

"...!"

"Fall back!"

The moment it clawed the empty air with its fingers, an illusion like a tiger's paw appeared and slashed at me and the area behind me.

It was a common effect, so it wasn't particularly amazing, but the aftermath was mighty.

"Aaaagh!"

"Guhk!"

Thanks to me not backing down and countering with magic at the last moment, and thanks to the Berserker shoving people away far in the back, only two people were swept up in the attack.

However, even if it was only two people, the damage couldn't be called small.

Especially if one person's arm was severed and another suffered a deep gash from their shoulder to their pelvis.

"Biryuho—!!"

The Young Lord screamed.

[...!]

At the Young Lord's scream, Biryuho flinched and trembled. Then, the wildly surging magic power stopped. Its gradually transforming body also returned to the form I had first observed.

The white-gold beauty fluttered their long eyelashes.

[... I showed you an unsightly display.]

They seemed flustered, but there was no guilt felt in their tone.

Biryuho gestured haughtily with a coy look.

Then, the grass around the two injured people began to swell wildly. Something shot up from between the grass and bloomed into flowers.

[But this worked out well.]

"How could you..."

[Take this opportunity to properly declare it. That you are mine, the property of this Biryuho.]

"How could you do this..."

It wasn't an ordinary flower, as the moment it opened its buds, a faint fragrance spread through the surroundings. The injured, who had been coughing up blood or screaming, took on much more comfortable expressions.

It didn't seem like their wounds were being healed, but rather it seemed to have a painkilling effect. It was too lopsided to call it giving the disease and then giving the medicine, though.

[You seem to have a lot on your mind right now, so I will come back later.]

But what did you just say, you punk? Are you just going to leave after picking as many fights as you could with my concept, saying you're done here?

"You bug."

Aside from picking a fight with my concept, there were things among the guy's remarks that I couldn't easily overlook.

Even granting that it was true I was tainted by demonic energy, wasn't the phrase 'I knew I shouldn't have trusted the demons' a bit strange?

Whether it was as an aide or a relationship of overlooking them through negligence, it was clear that the guy had ties related to demons. I couldn't miss this.

"Where do you think you're going?"

So I wrapped my sword in magic. As black aura gathered on the silver blade, the longsword let out a screech. It seemed this one was also slowly reaching its limit.

"N-No, you can't!"

But as long as it didn't break right away, it was fine. Half-ignoring the Young Lord's shout, I thrust my sword toward Biryuho.

A white hand caught the magic-coated sword directly and blocked it. It wasn't completely without impact, as blood trickled down.

[Tsk.]

Even so, blocked was blocked.

The opponent frowned and glared at me murderously.

However, that didn't lead to them using their hands, as it seemed the Young Lord behind me was bothering them.

In the end, Biryuho shook off my sword. The force was so immense that I couldn't even resist.

[I will let you off just this once.]

But so what if the opponent shook off my sword? Even if I didn't have the strength to withstand it, I still had the grip strength not to let go of the sword.

I spun my body following the sword that was about to fly sideways. Using the striking force, I spun around with my body as the axis.

SWOOSH!

However, Biryuho taking two steps back was faster than my sword slashing them.

If I knew this would happen, should I have just fired a sword aura? But if I fired a sword aura and the opponent dodged it, the aftermath would...

[So leave this land prompt─.]

"Kuhaha! A strong one!"

A hearty laugh spread out. CRASH! With a roaring boom, a giant halberd struck the ground.

Biryuho, who had hastily dodged to the point of looking ungraceful, widened its eyes. The spot where it had stood just moments ago was shattered to pieces by the halberd.

"Comrade, I am taking back the prey of the Berserker that you stole last time."

But as if there was anyone here who would care about that. I looked at the Berserker and flicked my wrist as if brushing off the longsword.

"Get lost."

"Hmph. Berserker doesn't listen to you. I will fight."

Hearing the sound of the Young Lord clutching the back of his neck was probably just my imagination.

The two of us stood side by side in front of Biryuho.

[Insignificant humans...]

Annoyed by our behavior, the veins stood out on Biryuho's fair neck. Seeing the magic power gently blowing, it looked like it would gather its strength at any moment.

"Demon Knight! Berserker!"

However, the situation changed with the appearance of a newcomer. The Inquisitor came running, leading the priests.

And seizing the moment she drew our attention, Biryuho swiftly waved its hand.

CRUNCH!

Just like the flowers that grew next to the injured soldiers, immensely thick vines sprouted in an instant. One was to bind us, and the other was to block our path.

"Ridiculous...!"

"Oh, what is this? Grass grew out of nowhere."

Of course, it was hard to say that it had a great effect. I just had to cut it with my sword, and the Berserker tore it apart using physical strength.

The one erected like a wall to block our path was similar. Even without the two of us joining forces, there was no difficulty breaking through it.

"Did it disappear...!"

"Eh."

But that brief moment was enough for Biryuho to escape. There wasn't even a glimpse of it leaving to show how it vanished.

"Did it end without incident..."

On the other hand, unlike us, the Young Lord was noticeably relieved. Though he quickly stiffened his expression at the coughing of the injured.

"Priest! We have injured people here!"

"Pardon?!"

He called the priests who had run over first. It was a natural judgment, as it was an injury that could only be saved by mobilizing divine power.

The Inquisitor's eyes went wide, and upon discovering the urgency of the wounds, she hastily changed direction.

Those who were gasping for breath barely crossed the boundary of life and death under her touch.

"Tsk."

If they survived, that was fortunate. Even though we had lost Biryuho.

I pushed over the plant wall that was left remarkably thick and went over the situation again.

We couldn't catch Biryuho, but someone who knew about it well remained here, so we could just ask him. And DeB, our initial target, had run away while we were confronting Biryuho...

"Comrade, where are you going?"

I had wasted some time fighting, but it wasn't exactly tens of minutes. If I did well, I might still be able to chase him.

"Ah. Demon Knight, that... that slacker..."

"Right! We must find the Young Hunter!"

I looked at the Inquisitor. The Inquisitor, who had barely kept the patients' breath attached, had just handed the patients over to another priest.

"Direction."

"...! That way!"

Right, so it's that way.

Recalling the wound on my cheek that shouldn't feel pain, but somehow throbbed anyway, I took a step forward.

I folded away the thought that it might be better to just let him go, since he had a high chance of dying by our hands if caught.

I still hadn't heard anything from Meat Dumpling yet.

Even if I let him go, I had to at least hear his reason.