Chapter 77: The Old Lady

　——We moved to Gonhirrim to meet up with the demon army led by Karla.

　This is because The teleportation magic circle was only accessible from the entrance management building in Gonhillrim. 

Me, Mia, and Kuzuha stood in front of the teleportation magic circle, ready to teleport at any time.

“Karla, can you hear me? 』

“T-Takumi! I’m sorry to push you, but the situation is overwhelmingly in our favor. As a result, the frontline has advanced quite deep. I have a bad feeling about this. I want you to come here as soon as possible.”

“Understood! We’re ready here. We’re waiting in front of the teleportation magic circle in Gonhillrim, so we can go anytime.”

“Alright then, I’ll set up the teleportation magic circle here.”

　After a while, the teleportation magic circle in front of us started to glow. It seemed that Tatara-san had connected this location to the mobile teleportation magic circle set up by Karla.

Now, what should we do with Kuzuha? Seeing Mia and Kuzuha, who were fully prepared to go hand in hand, I decided to take her along with us. In this situation, I didn’t have the courage to say no.

“Well then, we’ll go now. If anything happens, I’ll use telepathy to contact you.”

(……kukukukuku……)

Hmm? Who just spoke? I looked around, but no one had spoken to me.

Oh well.

With the Demon King and the Dwarf Kings seeing us off, we stepped into the light of the teleportation magic circle.

　◇

I was at a loss for words when I saw the fierce battlefield in front of me.

　Smoke and dust filled the air, and soldiers’ screams and shouts echoed from all directions. Crawling on the ground or fighting wounded, their expressions were filled with a fierce killing intent, as if they were possessed.

“This is a real battlefield…”

Mia expressed what I was feeling too. I felt the same way.

As people raised in Japan, it was difficult for us to accept this chaotic scene. The surrounding demons were surprised by our sudden appearance, but without a pause, they returned their focus to the battlefield without any delay.

“Takumi, Takumi, hold yourself together.”

Hmm? Oh, it’s Karla. I got completely overwhelmed.

I didn’t come here for leisure or sightseeing. Pull yourself together!

I slapped my cheeks with both hands and psyched myself up.

“Sorry. I’m okay now. I’ve been keeping track of the situation through telepathy. Can we retreat immediately?”

“It’s difficult. The frontline has pushed too far forward, and our formation has stretched out vertically. If the enemy attacks from the side now, there’s a risk of being divided. If that happens, the soldiers on the frontline will be surrounded. But if we take too long to withdraw and follow the frontline, we’ll end up deeper in enemy territory. In that case—”

“Will the Elf Army and Adventurers Guild come into play?”

“Yes, exactly. That’s why I want to bring the frontline back here and retreat the entire army towards the Demon Territory.”

“What’s preventing you from doing that?”

“It’s Alessandro. He’s too strong. He’s charging ahead alone, and the invasion is too fast for us to catch up. His men can’t stop him either.”

　Alessandro… Oh, right, that guy.

I activated the ‘Scan’ skill while listening to Karla’s explanation. Furthermore, using the ‘Ping’ skill, I confirmed Alessandro’s direction and approximate distance with a red mist.

“Got it. I’ll bring him back. So, you all proceed with Karla’s plan. Mia, I’m leaving Kuzuha to you. Make sure not to take your eyes off her.”

“Takumi, that, um… within the scope of what you can say, who or what is this child? Her mana density is too high… abnormally so.”

　Gail kept a certain distance from Kuzuha and was cautious, as if a bomb was right in front of him.

“Ku-chan, go ahead and introduce yourself.”

“Yes. Mia, this is Kuzuha. The strongest monster. But I only listen to what Mia and Takumi say, so you can relax about that.”

“She spoke!”

Karla and Gail were surprised and took a step back. Well, they’ll be even more surprised later. Let me share my and the Demon King’s worries with them.

“We’ll talk about the details later. Enzo has given permission. Okay, I’m going now.”

I activated the ‘Router’ skill, setting my destination to Alessandro, and gave myself a big pat with my right hand.

And just like magic, my whole body flew towards Alessandro.

This is way too convenient…

“Am I seeing things or did Takumi just fly off… wait, that’s not important now. Gail, be ready. Let’s reposition the spread-out formation. Help me with that.”

　◇

　In the direction I was headed towards, Melkid Kingdom soldiers were being blown away like in a comic book, splattering blood everywhere.

That spectacle was caused by Alessandro. As the Demon King called him, he’s a monster.

As I got closer, I could clearly see the gigantic monster swinging his club as if it were a twig. Wait…No, it’s not a monster; it’s Alessandro.

　Just as my right hand was about to touch Alessandro’s body, he swung his club down at me.

Well, it’s not surprising since I suddenly appeared here.

I blocked the club with my ‘Heart Wall’ barrier and called out to Alessandro.

“I’m Takumi. I have a message from Karla. Retreat—”

Gagoon, Dogoon

“Oraa, you’re so damn tough. Don’t underestimate me! Uruaaaaaaaaa!”

It’s no good. Even while I’m talking, he keeps hitting me relentlessly with his club.

Meanwhile, Melkid Kingdom soldiers are desperately slashing at Alessandro with their spears and swords, but it’s completely ineffective… Just as Karla said, bringing him back will be tough.

It’s irritating to see the Demon King’s predictions coming true, but I guess I’ll use what I was entrusted with. But it’s strange. If he understands Alessandro’s personality so well, why appoint him as a commander?

　(…Hurry up…)

Huh? I heard it again. The voice I heard just before the teleportation.

Anyway, I’ll think about it later.

I took out the ‘Demon Condemning Blade’ from the ‘Storage Bangle’ on my right hand.

Immediately, the sword tried to break free from its sheath with tremendous force.

Damn it… What a wild horse. I desperately held down the sheath and the hilt of the sword, but occasionally, black flames spilled from the sheath.

“Kid, what are you doing! Isn’t that the Condemning Blade!?”

“…I’ve been saying it since earlier… It was entrusted to me by the Demon King. I’m Takumi. W-we’re retreating!”

　I was struggling to control the rampaging ‘Demon Condemning Blade’.

Trying to persuade Alessandro was already trivial in my mind.

Anyway, it’s dangerous. This stupid sword is dangerous.

(Who are you calling stupid!?)

I somehow managed to put the ‘Demon Condemning Blade’ back into the ‘Storage Bangle’.

But… I heard it clearly this time.

In a voice like that of an old woman, it said, “Who are you calling stupid?”

　There is no doubt about this.

　OK, I’ll forget about this, and I don’t think I’ll ever take it out again.

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