Chapter 16

---

As the title suggests.

After hearing about Desastor's wedding, we left the village the next day. With only three days left including that day, and considering that normal travel would take two days, we had only one day to spare. We could probably make it to the ceremony, but if we had to fight, there was a risk that we wouldn't have enough time to prepare.

To address this, I decided to use the teleportation magic circle that Blood had used. Blood had to pour several days' worth of magic power to activate it, but with my magic power, I could activate it in one day. However, it wasn't that simple, and I had to receive a little bit of magic power from Levi and Blood each, barely managing to activate it.

With my magic power completely drained, I ended up spending the entire day sleeping, but being able to shorten the two-day journey to one day was a significant advantage. Although I couldn't move much the next day, I managed to do some preparation, thanks to that.

"---So, that's how we got here. Do you have any questions?"

"Well, I got the general idea... But what about Blood, Levi, and that merchant's daughter who came with you?"

"Blood? Look."

"?!"

I pointed to the ceiling, and there, Blood was descending from a hole in the ceiling.

"Blood!!"

"Are you safe, Desastor-sama!!"

As soon as Blood's presence was confirmed, Desastor shouted his name. Blood also seemed relieved that Desastor was safe.

On the other hand, the man in the white suit standing next to Desastor was watching with fear. Who is he? That guy...

"You... So you've returned to this world after all..."

"Indeed? What do you mean? Did you expect me to come back?"

I looked at the man in the black robe standing in front of me with suspicion. He was a creepy guy overall. Is he the one I should be dealing with?

"If that's the case... Hey, Blood!! I'll leave those brown guys to you!! If Ides can't move, go with Blood!"

"Understood!!"

"U-um..."

Blood immediately took action, but Ides still seemed confused. However, he seemed to believe it was me, and despite his confusion, he started running with Blood.

"Then, I'll take care of you. You're in big trouble for laying a hand on Desastor?"

"...Technically, I didn't lay a hand on him... but fine, you are a man who must be eliminated!! I'll crush you here!!"

The man in the black robe, exuding a killing aura, got into a fighting stance.

Hmm... He might be a bit of a challenge.

---

I, Ruri, am currently in front of the King's Chamber in the Demon King's Castle. Why is a lowly apprentice merchant like me here...

"Come on, Ruri! Stay calm! I'm with you!"

The woman standing next to me, encouraging me, is Levi. She is said to be the Sea God from the myths I heard as a child. The fact that such an incredible person is standing next to me is one of the reasons I'm trembling.

"But..."

"Stand up straight! Look! Work is coming our way!"

"Huh!?"

When Levi said that, I lifted my face. Then, I saw armored demons running towards us. They must have heard the loud noise caused by Setsu earlier. Everyone looked serious.

"You guys!! Move out of the way!!"

While pointing their swords and spears at us, a person with more elaborate armor than the others said. He must be the leader.

"I don't recognize you!! Did you cause this commotion?"

"Hmm... I guess so?"

"Wha... If that's the case, we can't let you live!!"

"Don't be so tense, Ruri. Give this to them?"

"Ah, yes!"

That's right, this is my job now. I took a palm-sized object from the magic bag containing Setsu's magic power and started handing it out to the soldiers. Despite their wariness, they accepted it. My harmless appearance is an advantage in situations like this.

"...What is this?"

"Korokke... You must know about it, right?"

When Levi said that, the expressions of the soldiers, who had been wary, changed.

"Where did you get this!?"

"The one who caused the commotion inside told us to give it to you. He also said to eat it and wait a bit."

When Levi answered the question from the leader, the soldiers looked at each other and started to get noisy.

"Setsu's korokke!!"

"Is he back!?"

"Damn, it's delicious!!"

"You're eating too fast!!"

Some of them had already finished their korokke, and it seemed our mission would be accomplished without much trouble.

"Setsu, what are you doing in the King's Chamber? The ceremony should be in progress..."

"I'm here to take the Demon King back from that scumbag."

When Levi answered the question from a soldier who had finished his korokke, the area was filled with murmurs again. Apparently, the soldiers were against the marriage and strongly opposed to the bridegroom. Some even offered to help Setsu, but he told them not to come.

"Be patient, we have plenty of korokke."

"Oh, that's great."

I started handing out more korokke. When I tried one myself, I thought the freshly made ones were better, but the deliciousness of the potatoes made me unable to stop. In Setsu's world, these are often included in bento boxes. Maybe I'll ask him to make some next time...

---

I dodged the black thorns approaching my face by tilting my head and swung Black Circle at the black-robed man.

"Ugh..."

The deliberate wide swing of my attack ended up being a miss due to his backstep.

"A sharp strike... I almost bled."

"...Yeah."

I didn't think it would be that sharp, just a casual swing to see if he would die from it.

"This time, I'll go all out!! 'Shadow Fist'!!"

A large, black fist appeared from the man's shadow. It looked big enough to flatten me.

But I wasn't particularly worried, and I just looked at it with disappointment, thinking this was his best.

"Ha!!"

I caught the fist with my free hand. The impact was strong, but I didn't take any damage.

"With one arm...!"

"Here you go!"

I raised Black Circle and swung it down on the black fist I had caught. The arm was sliced and dissipated, and the black-robed man was pushed back by the wind pressure from the sword.

"What a joke..."

"I hear that a lot."

"!"

I closed the distance with the man, who was retreating, and kicked him in the stomach while he was off-balance.

"Ugh..."

The man was blown back and hit the floor, rolling. He's not that strong, is he? Did Ides really struggle against this guy? The title of one of the Five Great Demon Generals is crying.

This level of strength might not have been necessary to hold back the other soldiers. It doesn't seem like it will turn into a large-scale battle.

"Gah... Hah... 'Shadow Spear'!!"

While on his knees, a spear over three meters long extended from the man's shadow. It's infused with a lot of magic power, so I might get injured.

"Take this...!"

"Just shoot it."

"Ha!!"

The spear flew straight at me with a shout. It has enough power to easily make a hole in the Demon King's Castle walls. I feel guilty about the hole in the ceiling, so I can't let him make more holes.

"Smack."

I slapped the spear, and it was knocked to the ground, its tip broken. I looked at the black-robed man, whose face I couldn't see but who couldn't hide his shock, with a provocative smile.

"What's wrong? Is that all you've got?"

"Guh... I heard you were an irregular, but I didn't expect this... 'Shadow Spear' has at least A-rank power..."

"Don't get cocky with just A-rank, Blacky. As a bonus, I'll show you an SSS-rank punch."

"Guh... 'Shadow Bullet'!!"

I kicked off the ground and approached the black-robed man, deflecting the black bullet he shot from his shadow with my sword, and closed the distance. Before he could try to create more distance, I grabbed his arm and held it in place.

"Don't run, take it without hesitation."

"Gah...!"

I let go of my sword and punched the black-robed man in the face. With a dull sound, he was blown back and hit the floor, just like when I kicked him.

"You seem unnatural. How long are you going to hide your strength?"

I asked the black-robed man, who was groaning as he fell.

Something about his aura and strength doesn't match. I can estimate the magic power of my opponents to some extent, and I thought he had SS-rank strength, but in battle, he was only A or S rank.

"Hah... Hah... Indeed, you are an irregular hero... In this state, I can't even fight you..."

"This state?"

"Sorry, but I have to retreat... I need to report about you to my master."

"I don't know who your master is, but do you think I'll let you go easily?"

I picked up my sword and pointed it at his neck.

"Haha... You can't take my life... That leniency will be your downfall... Haha..."

With that, the man dissipated into black particles, leaving only his black robe behind. The black magic particles danced around and eventually disappeared.

"Shadow clone, huh? You're underestimating me."

The weakness I felt earlier must have been due to the clone. No wonder it didn't feel like much of a fight. I brushed off the black particles, feeling annoyed. Next time I see him, I'll beat him and his master up.

"---Setsu."

"...Oh, you're done too."

Blood, Lily, and Ides came to me, dragging the brown-robed men.

"Let's strip them and see who they are---"

"Setsu!!"

"Whoa!?"

Just as I was about to say that, a soft and heavy weight hit my back. The Demon King, Desastor, in her wedding dress, had hugged me. Due to the reincarnation, my body had changed, and I was now shorter than Desastor, who was taller than me five years ago.

"Geez..."

"Are you hurt?"

"No! And I'm still a virgin!"

Yeah, that's good... Don't say that in front of everyone, it's embarrassing.

"Well, anyway, it's good to see you again, Desastor."

"Um...! Um...!!"

She hugged me tighter. Her arms were trembling, and I could tell she was very worried. She may look like an adult, but she's still a girl inside. She must have felt in danger.

"Still... You don't look good in white."

I said, looking at Desastor's outfit. She looks better in red or black. White just doesn't suit her, and I'd prefer if she went back to her usual clothes.

"I thought you'd say that... But I am in my wedding dress."

Desastor smiled wryly. Well, aside from the color, she looks incredibly beautiful...

"Ha... I'll prepare a black and red wedding dress for you to try."

If it's that color, I can honestly compliment her.

"Mu! Is that a proposal!?"

She reacted enthusiastically and pulled my face close. It hurt, so I had to stop her.

"Well, if you want to get married, I don't mind..."

I'm generally open to things and try to be supportive. Of course, I have my preferences, but if I like someone, I want to respond to their feelings. And in this world, there's no reason to turn down a proposal from a beauty like her. ---No, there isn't. There can't be.

Understand, I have the same fantasies about harems that any guy would. ...Though, in terms of mental age, I'm over thirty...

"R-Really!? No, but..."

Desastor's face lit up for a moment, but then she looked thoughtful.

"But proposing without consulting that person would be unfair... I want to propose together with her... Ugh!! What should I do!!"

"Are you talking about Roa...?"

Roa Leona, the daughter of the Beast King, the ruler of the Beast Continent. The Demon King and the Beast King, and their daughters, are now friends. They were initially hostile, but they seem to have become closer through conversations involving me. They might be even closer now.

"Ugh... I-I've decided! I won't propose yet!! If I do, it will be with Roa!"

"O-Okay..."

Desastor stepped back, clenched her fist, and seemed to have made up her mind, though I didn't quite understand.

"By the way, are you guys okay with this? Even if I marry someone like me..."

"If Desastor-sama decides it..."

"Yeah, we can't go against her."

"Hmm, if Desastor-sama decides, there shouldn't be a problem."

Blood, though his tone was serious, had a smile on his face. Lily and Ides were grinning openly, and their tone was completely flat. ---These guys were the ones who were against the wedding earlier...

"Well, it's better than being rejected...

---So, what about him?"

When I asked, everyone looked in a certain direction.

"Ah!"

There, in a white suit, was the human man who was supposed to marry the Demon King but was rejected by the Five Great Demon Generals. He was cowering in the shadows of the throne, hugging his knees, looking pitiful.

"To think I was almost that man's... It's still scary to think about."

He looked so pathetic and dirty that it was hard to feel sorry for him.

"P-Please, help me... Just my life..."

He was shivering and begging for his life. Desastor and the others looked at me, as if leaving the decision to me.

I sighed and walked over to him, Black Circle in hand.

"Hey, poor guy, how do you feel now that your comrades have abandoned you?"

"P-Please, help me... I can pay you..."

As the Demon King, Desastor, wouldn't be swayed by such pleas...

I grabbed his carefully styled hair and lifted his face.

"---Well, I'll spare your life, but---"

I thrust Black Circle next to him and said,

"---You'll have to tell me everything you know."

I added a bit of killing intent to my gaze, and he nodded repeatedly, tears and snot streaming down his face.

Next time, we'll start with the information we get from Teran.

Teran, you deserve it.