Chapter 2: The world after a millennium
Ok, I messed up, this series has already been licensed, so I will stop after finishing Volume One. Will probably work on Lonely Attack on the Different World next. No way in hell that series will get licensed.
- Skythewood
- Skythewood
Translator: Skythewood
Editor: Hiiro
—She lost count of how many times she had this dream.
The burning city, screams of the people fleeing, and the legion of monsters that blot out the sun.
Six years ago, Lyselia Christalia’s family was killed by the <Void>.
The <Third Assault Garden> was attacked by a <Stampede> led by a Void Lord.
As the governor of the city and the commander of the Knight Corp of <Holy Swordsman>, her parents and elder sister fought on the frontline against the <Void> to protect the citizens and were killed in action.
Lyselia who was 9 years old hid together with her childhood friend Regina in the only shelter that remained intact and survived miraculously.
After several hellish days, the two of them were picked up and protected by the Deserted Citizen Investigation Team from the <Seventh Assault Garden>. They were then sent to the <Holy Sword Academy> where <Holy Swordsman> were trained.
<Holy Sword>— the only power bestowed by the planet to humans that could defy the <Void>.
Most of them appeared in the form of a weapon and granted all sorts of abilities to their owner.
Lyselia trained endlessly in the <Holy Sword Academy>.
For the sake of obtaining the power of the <Holy Sword> one day and to fight the <Void> as a <Holy Swordsman>—
But she wasn’t granted a <Holy Sword>.
And in the end—
(I will die here...)
The icy sensation of death covered her body like a field of cotton.
As her consciousness faded, she remembered that boy.
Did he escape successfully and link up with Regina?
No, she bought him a few seconds of time, but that wouldn’t be enough for him to escape under such a situation.
(...I-I’m sorry... that I can’t protect you...)
Her consciousness faded into the darkness.
◆
「...No good, I don’t get it at all.」
In the Ruins buried in debris—
Leonis took out Lyselia’ card-shaped terminal.
There seemed to be some kind of Sorcery circuit inside, and even with Leonis’ expertise in Sorcery, he couldn’t decipher it.
「To think humans developed their Sorcery technology to such an extent.」
... But that was understandable.
The Sorcery tools made use of technology that was better than what was available a thousand years ago.
(...What I don’t understand is that weapon known as a <Holy Sword>.)
That girl named Regina used a bombardment weapon that had immense power.
The logic behind its power was different from the Sorcery that Leonis knew.
Was that weapon special, or—
Leonis sighed.
The other worldly monster that didn’t exist a millennium ago, <Void>.
The overwhelming advanced Sorcery technology, and the <Holy Sword>.
Could he really find her in this world—
— The prophecy of the <Goddess of Rebellion>.
A thousand years later, the goddess’ powers will return.
Leonis’ task was to find the vessel of the goddess and protect her until she awakened.
That was the only promise Demon King Leonis made to her.
「...Mmm, ughh...」
Lyselia who was sleeping beside Leonis twitched her brows a little.
(... She’s awake?)
Leonis’ Sorcery had successfully revived her after she died.
And the result far exceeded Leonis’ expectations.
... It was a jackpot.
(—I don’t get it, is her aptitude too good?)
Leonis looked at Lyselia who was rubbing her sleepy eyes.
...She should start showing signs sometime later.
She might get angry when she learned the truth.
(Or she might fall into despair—)
It would be troublesome if she hated him. Leonis thought to himself.
「...Ehh? Ehhhh!?」
But Lyselia didn’t know about the troubles in Leonis mind and screamed when she looked down at her body.
「Good morning, Ms Selia.」
Leonis greeted her.
「Ahh...」
Lyselia opened her ice blue eyes wide.
After staying stiff for a moment—
She hugged Leonis tightly.
「...Hey!?」
「...I’m so glad that you’re alright.」
She said with relief.
(...Normally, she should worry about herself first.)
Leonis sighed while he was being hugged.
「E-Erm, this is a little uncomfortable...」
「Oh, sorry… W-Why am I...」
Lyselia let him go and noticed her chest.
Her uniform that was torn by the <Void> was soaked with blood.
There were clear signs of a horizontal slash.
But her wounds had completely healed.
「...How am I... I should be dead...」
「Actually, your wound wasn’t as serious as it looks.」
Leonis lied.
「... And I treated you with my <Healing> Holy Sorcery.」
「Sorcery...?」
She frowned in surprise and stared at Leonis.
「Erm...」
Leonis was puzzled when she didn’t react as he expected.
He thought about it for a moment—
(...Maybe she didn’t know about Sorcery?)
He realized that possibility.
Speaking of which, she didn’t use Sorcery during her battle with the <Void> earlier.
However, she was using a Sorcery item with an advanced Sorcery circuit.
What was going on then?
(...No. Maybe I got it backwards.)
She couldn’t use Sorcery, which was why she was using the Sorcery circuit that didn’t require special training and could be used if she had Mana. That would make more sense.
(Oh no...)
As Leonis was trying to fudge things over.
「Is that the powers of your <Holy Sword>?」
「...Erm, I-I guess?」
Leonis went with the flow and nodded.
「That’s right, there are already confirmed cases of <Holy Sword> with healing powers in the <Holy Sword Academy>.」
Lyselia rested her chin on her hand and said thoughtfully.
「I see, so you can use a <Holy Sword>. That may be a reason why the <Void> tried to abduct you—」
「...Erm, I don’t really understand this power. What is a <Holy Sword>?」
Leonis felt this was a chance to ask for more information. The <Holy Sword> in this era seemed different from what he knew.
「You are not from an Assault Garden, so it’s normal for you to not know.」
「That’s correct.」
Leonis nodded docilely.
「The <Holy Sword> is a power awakened in humans for the sake of fighting the <Void>.」
Sixty-four years ago, humanity was suddenly attacked by the alien <Void>, and lost three quarters of its population. They thought that they were doomed. But a few years later, children with extraordinary powers started appearing.
「The children were given miraculous powers. Controlling flames and summoning wind, the powers that could defeat <Void>. As most of them appeared in the form of a weapon, they were called <Holy Sword>.」
「... So the weapon of that blonde big sister too?」
「Correct. Her Holy Sword— <(Dragon Howl)> is a manifestation of destructive powers. The reason isn’t clear, but it’s usually a show of the user’s personality.」
(... A weapon that embodies one’s soul?)
It was hard to believe, but this seemed to be a different system of power from Holy Sorcery, Spirit Sorcery and Leonis’ Death Sorcery.
「The children who awakens their <Holy Sword> will enrol in the <Holy Swordsman> training school— known as the <Holy Sword Academy> and train there.」
So, did Lyselia also have the power to wield a <Holy Sword>?
She didn’t use it just now—
(... So, my Sorcery is now a legend from the past, huh.)
He got another piece of information about this world.
(I should hide the fact that I can use Sorcery—)
Lyselia touched her chest where she was wounded.
「A healing <Holy Sword>, huh— Leo-kun, you have a kind heart.」
「...」
Leonis averted his eyes from that brilliant smile.
...What kind of face would she make when she found out the truth?
「You saved my life.」
「No, if Ms Selia didn’t protect me, those monsters would have killed me—」
Lyselia suddenly looked around her, as if she just remembered something.
「Oh right, what happened to that <Void>?」
「When I was still shaking from fear, it vanished.」
Leonis shook his head.
... This wasn’t a lie.
The remnants of the three <Void> were sucked into Leonis’ shadow.
「...Vanished?」
「Yes.」
「The <Void> will take baffling actions sometimes—」
Lyselia muttered as she held her beautiful chin.
「Erm, what is the <Void>?」
Leonis asked again.
「...Frankly speaking, we don’t really know what the <Void> actually is.」
She slowly shook her head.
「They appeared suddenly 64 years ago and threatened humanity. Their goals and origins are all a mystery. One theory from the management says they are invaders from another world, but no one knows for sure. Hence, we call them nothingness—<Void>.」
Leonis was confused.
These things with dubious origins were rampaging around the world.
「And that <Orc> and <Wyvern> means...」
「That’s just how we categorize them. The appearance of the <Void> are similar to mythical creatures from ancient times, so we call them by that name.」
「Legend...」
Leonis gulped.
So, the monsters from a millennium ago no longer exist—?
Lyselia stood up.
「The <Void> might come back, we should leave soon.」
「...Okay.」
Lyselia touched her earring.
『Regina, can you hear me?』
『My lady, are you alright—』
He could hear the relieved voice of a girl.
『I was worried when communications got cut. Where are you right now?』
『Still inside the Ruins. What about the Orc type <Void>?』
『I silence it with eight shots of <Drag Cannon>. It was very tenacious.』
『Understood, let’s link up at the entrance.』
With that, Lyselia cut the call.
「There’s no point staying in a place like this, let’s go」
(... A place like this?)
Leonis was a little peeved when he heard that.
◆
「Leo-kun, that’s the exit.」
「Huff, puff... Okay.」
After climbing the stairs of the Ruins for several hours, the two of them finally reached the surface entrance.
(...Ughh, I think I built the mausoleum a little too deep inside.)
Leonis reflected on his decisions as he held his trembling legs.
For a ten years old boy, climbing up the stairs for seven levels was very tiring.
If he used the teleportation Magic Circle, he could reach the surface in an instant. But it would be difficult to explain why he had such an ability.
「You worked hard.」
Lyselia who was walking in front offered her hand to Leonis whose shoulders were heaving hard.
After he took her hand, she pulled Leonis up.
(...As a Demon King, this is a shameful display.)
After passing through the <Mountain of Destruction> and exiting out a skeleton-like entrance, they were greeted by strong wind mixed with sand.
The outside of the Ruins was a barren land.
There was some sun, but the sky was mostly covered by grey clouds, so it was dark.
(...The Ruins of <Necrozoa> is underneath this place.)
The capital of the dead that was so prosperous a millennium ago was now buried in sand without any trace.
Well, even if they dig up the sand, there would just be remnants of a city.
「Lady Selia—」
A calm voice of a girl rang out.
They turned and saw a blonde twin tail girl wearing a hood approaching them. She was riding on some kind of transportation vehicle which looked like a lump of steel.
It was the girl that used that cannon, Regina.
「I’m glad you are fine… Why is there so much blood!?」
「Well, we run into some trouble...」
Lyselia stammered.
「We didn’t find any <Hive>, but we confirmed the presence of several large <Void>. We need to submit a detailed report to the Academy’s Management.」
「Several? You fought with another <Void>?」
Regina was shocked.
「Yes, but it ran off soon after.」
「Ehh...」
Regina shifted her gaze from Lyselia to Leonis behind her.
「—And who is that boy?」
「A Deserted Citizen child I rescued in the Ruins. He was abducted by the <Void> and his memory is fuzzy.」
「The <Void> abducted a child?」
「It’s not impossible. There are still many things we don’t know about the ecology of the <Void>. Once he recovers his memories, his testimony will be valuable information.」
Regina nodded.
「Are there any Deserted Citizen villages around here?」
「No idea, this region had not been searched before. Maybe he was brought by a flying type from some faraway place.」
Regina bent her knees to match Leonis’ eye level.
Her large breasts swayed along with her.
「...!?」
「I’m the maid of My Lady, Regina Mercedes. Pleased to meet you.」
「N-Nice to meet you...」
...Leonis was forced back by the swaying breasts as he nodded.
Regina whispered something to Lyselia:
「My Lady— This boy is lewder than I imagined.」
「~What...!」
「Really now, what are you saying!」
Lyselia boarded the vehicle without paying too much heed to the maid’s joke.
It had three wheels and looked like a small carriage, but there weren’t any horses.
It was probably a vehicle powered by Mana.
There was a small seat beside the main vehicle.
「This is?」
「Military vehicle. Leo-kun, sit on the back.」
Lyselia sat in front, and Leonis grabbed her waist from behind.
The soft sensation made his heart race.
「It goes fast, so grab on tight.」
Regina jumped into the seat in the sidecar.
「Boy, before we reach the city, you can enjoy touching My Lady as much as you want.」
「Hey, Regina!」
Lyselia stepped on the pedal and the vehicle made a deep sound.
「Uwah!」
The vehicle burst forth.
◆
The Military vehicle kicked up a dust cloud as it tore through the barren lands with incredible speed.
(...I-It’s really fast!)
Leonis stiffened his face as he hugged Lyselia’s waist.
To be honest, it wasn’t comfortable.
Compared to the dark wolf he rode into battle in the past, the difference was like heaven and hell.
The fluttering silver hair brushed against Leonis’ face.
He was close enough to smell her sweat.
<TL: ???>
「I need to shower when we get back to the academy.」
「Right, my underwear is full of sand.」
Regina, who was sitting at the side, tugged at the button on the chest of her blouse.
「...Oh, little boy, what are you looking at?」
「N-Nothing.」
Leonis quickly buried his face in Lyselia’s back.
「Hmm? Really?」
Regina smiled as if she was intentionally teasing him.
(Ughh, me, a Demon King, is being teased by this little girl...!)
Lyselia covered one of her ears and started a call.
『Senpai, we have a Deserted Citizen child with us. We are on our way back to the academy right now.』
『Understood. I will file a request to the Management Bureau to open the gate.』
『Also, please prepare a uniform.』
『Uniform?』
『Yes, I already sent you the measurements.』
『...Understood, I will take care of that too.』
「Erm, can I ask something?」
Leonis asked Regina.
「What is it, little boy?」
「What’s a Deserted Citizen?」
Regina’s face turned serious when she heard that question.
「—Sixty-four years ago, people who got displaced due to the invasion of the <Void> lived in their own groups and communities. That was before the <Empire> started the Assault Garden initiative. Those displaced people are called Deserted Citizen. The goal of the <Assault Garden> is to determine the origins of the <Void>, and search the planet for any surviving Deserted Citizens.」
「Are there a lot of them?」
「The City Management Bureau doesn't have an exact figure either. After all, the maps aren’t reliable after the <Void> invasion.」
「... I see.」
「You really lost your memory.」
「...Erm, sorry.」
To avoid suspicion, Leonis quickly apologized.
「No, I should be the one apologizing.」
「...」
Regina showed a strange face.
...She was probably teasing me to make me relaxed and relieve the tension.
「Fufu, maybe you will remember something if I give you some stimulation?」
Regina pulled up her skirt to show her thigh a little.
「...N-No need!」
...Or she just wants to tease me!
「What are you doing, Regina!」
「Nothing, My Lady.」
Lyselia stopped her after finishing her call.
「What if Leo-kun grows up and becomes a perverted boy?」
「Forgive me from being blunt, but all boys are perverted.」
Regina shrugged.
...That was definitely not true. He only looked because of the biological reaction of a boy in puberty and wasn’t the fault of Demon King Leonis.
And so, the vehicle continued moving through the barren land—
Suddenly, the cloud was gone, and the open sky appeared before them.
「It’s in view—」
「...!?」
When he was still the Undead King, he had never basked in the sun like this, and couldn’t help covering his eyes.
The plains went as far as the eyes could see, with a few trees here and there.
At the far end of the horizon—
Was the sea.
As well as—
「...W-What’s that!?」
Leonis reverted to his usual tone unconsciously.
There was a large city on the surface of the ocean and under the brilliant sunlight.
「This is the last bulwark built by humanity to fight against the <Void>. One of the eight city states constructed around the Imperial Capital <Camelot>. The castle with numerous <Holy Swordsman>, and our blade to counterattack—」
Lyselia said proudly:
「—The <Seventh Assault Garden>.」
Chapter 3: The Seventh Assault Garden
The vehicle crossed a bridge over the sea.
The sea breeze that smelled like the ocean made Lyselia’s silver hair flutter a little.
(...Land of Darkness, huh.)
This place used to be a part of the plains.
It was the Demon King Army's last battlefield a thousand years ago. The Great Sage Araquil of the Six Braves merged with the Holy Tree and turned this place into a forest.
... And that forest was now lying at the bottom of the ocean.
Something probably happened here in the past thousand years and changed the terrain drastically.
(...This looks like a large sea bay, so it’s connected to the ocean, huh.)
Leonis leaned on Lyselia’s back and looked at the faraway island.
— Yes, island.
A huge island surrounded by city walls.
The walls were lined with numerous cannons.
(It’s much larger than Sea King Levis’ floating fortress...)
Leonis was in awe.
The Demon Lord that ruled over the seven <Demon Seas> and the Mage Druhda of the Six Braves were both cast into far away dimensions as a result of their fight.
「Leo-kun, is this your first time seeing an <Assault Garden>?」
「Yes— it’s amazing that such a large artificial island can be built.」
「Right... But how do you know it’s an artificial island?」
「Erm… Well...」
... Because the island wasn’t here a millennium ago.
So it was easy to tell that this was an artificial island.
「Because it’s covered by city walls and I don’t see any cliffs—」
「This is a man made floating city. Be it electric power or food, all that are supplied by the city itself.」
Regina said:
「It’s anchored here right now, but the mission of this <Assault Garden> is to move on the sea, and fight the <Void> colony on the frontlines.」
「This island can move?」
Leonis gasped.
The Demon King Army also had the mobile <Sky Fortress>, but it was nowhere this big.
If what she said was true, then this civilization was incredibly advanced.
(... And there are at least seven cities like this?)
The human race.
They couldn’t match the physical strength and tough bodies of the demi humans and didn’t have the advanced civilization of the Elves.
But now, their civilization was at such an advanced level—
(... For the sake of the Demon King Army’s revival, I need to properly analyse the combat potential of humans.)
The vehicle entered the city gates.
◆
「Those who had the powers of the <Holy Sword> had the obligation of enrolling in the <Holy Sword Academy>. They won’t be forced to fight the <Void>, but they had to provide support and assistance.」
Lyselia said after alighting from the vehicle.
「...Okay.」
That was what Leonis wanted.
He would have a good reason to learn more about the <Holy Sword>.
「Then see you later. If you get lost—」
「My Lady, there’s only one path, it will be fine.」
Regina said exasperatedly when she saw Lyselia’s worried face.
Those who came from outside had to go through special checks.
Before Leonis was a road illuminated by Mana Light.
After parting ways with the two of them, the metal gates closed behind him.
When Leonis was finally alone—
He took a deep breath and yelled:
「Really now, what the hell is going on!?」
Leonis’ original perfect plan was to wake up to the warm welcome of his worshippers, face the declining humans and revive the Demon King Army.
However, the human civilization had advanced by leaps and bounds, the ancient Sorcery had declined, and there were no demon-kin or his Familiar here. And something called the <Void> was rampaging around arrogantly.
(...And I turned into this form.)
Why did the <Reincarnation> Spell fail—
Leonis made a hypothesis.
One thousand years ago, Leonis weaved his Spell to reconstruct his Demon King body.
However, he was a human Brave before he became the Demon King. After he was betrayed by humans and on the verge of death, he was saved by the <Goddess of Rebellion>.
(... Which meant, I had two previous lives, one as a Brave and another as a Demon King.)
He then tried a two stage <reincarnation>. First, he put his soul in the body of his human brave form, and then reconstructed the Demon King body bestowed to him by the Goddess.
For some reason, his attempt failed.
He woke up before his Demon King body was reconstructed.
In any case—
(... He would need some time to get used to this body.)
He grabbed his large cape and moaned bitterly.
(...Never mind, no need to be so pessimistic.)
He met Lyselia Christalia and came here successfully.
Once he arrived at a city, he could collect information about the world efficiently.
Leonis looked at the shadow by his feet.
「—Braccus, Shirley.」
The shadow by his feet squirmed a little, and dark figures appeared from it.
One was a Dark Wolf with golden eyes. It was one size larger than normal wolves, and its fur was darker than the night itself.
The other was humanoid.
It was a girl wearing the plain attire of a maid and had sharp eyes. She looked between 12 and 13 years old, had dark shoulder length hair.
「—Are you calling for me, friend?」
「Did you summon me, Master.」
The Dark Wolf had an intimate tone, while the girl knelt down and showed reverence.
「Long time no see.」
Leonis waved casually and greeted the two who appeared from his shadow.
The Dark Wolf was his comrade in arms on the battlefield, the Prince of the <Realm of Shadows>.
The girl used to be an assassin from the Realm of Shadows tasked with assassinating Leonis. Things happened, and she was now a maid serving the Demon King.
After the Six Braves destroyed the <Realm of Shadows>, some survivors sought refuge in Leonis’ shadow.
These two were the survivors.
...There was another person in his shadow, but that person would happily cut off Leonis’ head in his sleep if it learned of Leon’s boy form.
「Yes, a thousand year of slumber is rather long.」
The Dark Wolf— Braccus Shadow Prince answered.
None of the Demon King’s subordinates dare take such a rude tone with him.
However, Braccus wasn’t the Demon King’s minion, but a friend on equal standing.
「But what happened to you?」
「There was some mistake, and I reincarnation to my human form.」
Leonis said a little awkwardly.
「The Brave of the Holy Sword? This is the first time I have seen you like this.」
「I was already a Demon King when I first met you.」
「Master.」
「What is it, Shirley?」
Leonis looked at the girl who was hesitant to speak.
「I think Master’s current form is really cute.」
「Shirley, are you teasing me?」
「...I wouldn’t dare.」
Shirley quickly apologized.
Leonis narrowed his eyes and shook his head.
「Forget it. I called on you two to help me with something.」
「—Please order me as you pleased, My Lord.」
「I will be happy to help a friend.」
The girl bowed her head while the Dark Wolf nodded.
「I want you two to investigate this city. This world is very different from the world I knew before my reincarnation.」
Dark Wolf surveyed his surroundings.
「Things had changed drastically while I was asleep.」
「Yes, that’s right. Sorcery had declined, and you would stand out a lot if you use sorcery in public.」
Although they couldn’t use Spells, the foundation of this civilization was built by using tools that utilize Sorcery.
The streetlights were expensive magic items a millennium ago.
「If Sorcery really declined, then it shouldn’t be possible to create such high class items. They would need to master Sorcery to do so.」
「We need to investigate that too. Anyways, I can’t use Sorcery as I please right now, so I will leave the rest to you.」
「Understood.」
「By your will.」
They then vanished into his shadow.
Leonis would leave the city to them, while he took care of the <Holy Sword Academy>.
Leonis walked down the passageway.
Suddenly, the Mana Detection alarm sounded off.
「What?」
Leonis quickly chanted <Conceal Mana> to hide his Mana.
The alarm stopped immediately.
(...Looks like I have to be careful.)
◆
After 15 minutes of automatic checks, Leonis entered an elevator.
When the elevator opened, the dazzling sunlight blinded him.
Lyselia was waiting a short distance from the elevator.
「Good job, Leo-kun.」
She handed Leonis a card.
「This is your ID card. It’s a temporary one.」
「Card?」
Leonis looked curiously at the blue card.
There was a picture of a sword in the centre, and the design was simple. Even without using the <Mana Detection> spell, he could tell there was some sort of Magic embedded in it.
「This thing is proof of your identity here, don’t lose it.」
「Got it.」
「Then let’s go to the academy.」
Lyselia said as she patted the vehicle seat that was covered in sand.
Leonis was a bit puzzled.
The sidecar of the vehicle was gone.
「Where is Ms Regina?」
「She went shopping in the commercial zone.」
「I see.」
It seemed that sidecar could be used as an independent vehicle.
Like before, Leonis sat on the rear seat and hugged Lyselia’s waist.
She stepped on the pedal, and the vehicle made a low growl.
It then moved along the tunnel.
The road was paved, so it wasn’t bumpy like the barren plains.
The wind on Leonis’ face was comfortable. Lyselia’s silver hair also fluttered in the wind.
After passing through the tunnel Leonis was shocked.
「What...!?」
Before him was a huge structure with many levels.
「This is the Commercial Zone. It’s impressive, right?」
「It is.」
Leonis answered plainly.
「Everyone who saw this for the first time had a shock.」
Lyselia seemed displeased with Leonis’ reaction.
The tower had lots of windows. Leonis had never seen such a building before.
In Leonis’ era, the technology to construct such a tall structure didn’t exist.
He could see many young people wearing similar uniforms. They were probably students at the Holy Sword Academy just like Lyselia.
「I didn’t expect this place to be so peaceful.」
「You can tell?」
「It’s obvious from the atmosphere.」
Leonis knew what the atmosphere was like during times of war.
He found it hard to believe that this place was the forefront of the war against the <Void>.
「The Seventh Assault Garden had never been invaded by the <Void> before. Aside from the Eighth Assault Garden that is under construction, this is the latest newest city.」
Lyselia then added:
「The <Holy Swordsmen> are sent to the frontlines, but the city itself is very safe.」
「I see.」
「The city is divided into the Residential Zone, Commercial Zone, and the Management Bureau in the central zone that governs this city. As for the military affairs—」
Lyselia pointed to the side.
「— It is under the purview of the <Holy Sword Academy>, the core place of the city.」
◆
「Before you register your identity, you should wash up.」
After passing through the gates, she stopped the vehicle at the parking lot inside the academy.
The vast land occupied by the <Holy Sword Academy> had many facilities.
(...What the… This is much bigger than the <Demon King castle>.)
After alighting from the vehicle, Leonis was in awe by the sheer size of the place.
「All this is a part of the campus?」
「That’s right. It’s very surprising, right?」
Lyselia nodded.
「That is the auditorium. Over there is the cafeteria. There are eateries in the Commercial Zone too, but the food here is more value for money. In the centre of the campus is the outdoor training grounds. You can train there with a menu that matches the specialty of your <Holy Sword>. Next is the Library, Research Lab, Dance Hall, and entertainment facilities. There’s even a big bathhouse near the dormitories.」
Lyselia pointed at each building and introduced them in detail.
「Well, the purpose of the training facilities is obvious, but what is the dance hall and bathhouse used for?」
「The <Holy Sword> is a weapon born from the heart of a <Holy Swordsman>. If they are in a bad mood, they won’t be able to wield its full power. In fact, they built a military training facilities made specially for <Holy Swordsmen> in the <Second Assault Garden>, but the results were subpar.」
「... I see.」
This place was different from an ordinary military training facility.
The two of them walked on a slope flanked by trees with huge leaves.
Several girls in the same dark blue uniform as Lyselia walked past them. When they saw Leonis, they said something really rude, like 「Look, he’s so cute.」
「Are there more girls in the <Holy Sword Academy>?」
「The ratio is about half each. It’s just that this place is the female dormitories—」
—Lyselia suddenly stopped.
「...?」
Leonis looked up and saw her looking seriously ahead and biting her lips.
Before her was a blonde man in uniform.
「Well well, isn’t that Lyselia? What are you doing here?」
「Muzel Rhodes...」
Lyselia took one step back cautiously.
(...Doesn’t seem to be a friend.)
The man named Muzel had four girls in uniform with him.
All of them were beautiful.
...But of course, they couldn’t compare to the girl beside Leonis.
The man was handsome too, but his facial expression felt somewhat indecent. The way he was checking every inch of Lyselia’s body made that abundantly clear.
... It was a little unpleasant.
「—Let’s go, Leo-kun.」
Lyselia took Leonis’ hand and tried to go through.
「Wait a minute—」
The girls beside the man blocked her path.
「...Please move aside.」
「Well, don’t be so cold… Hmm? Who’s that kid?」
The man noticed Leonis and looked down.
「It has nothing to do with you, Senpai.」
Lyselia glared at him, but Muzel just laughed.
「This is a riot! The bottom ranked team is recruiting a kid now?」
「...He is a proper <Holy Swordsman>.」
「That kid? Haha, you must be kidding me.」
Muzel looked at Leonis and laughed mockingly.
(...Ignorance is bliss.)
Leonis shrugged in his mind.
Normally, he would die a thousand deaths before being transformed into the lowest Skeleton Warrior.
If Shirley was here, she would have cut him into pieces.
(...Well, given how I looked, it couldn’t be helped if he belittles me. I will forgive this level of transgression then; I don’t want to stand out after all.)
Seeing that Leonis didn’t react to his taunt, Muzel turned back to Lyselia.
「Stop putting on a strong front and join my team, Lyselia·Christalia. If you join my team that is in the top rankings, you can continue to stay in this academy.」
Muzel’s mouth twisted with a smile, and said loud enough for Leonis to hear:
「You inherited the bloodline of a <Holy Swordsman>, but can’t call forth a〈Holy Sword〉.」
「...!」
Lyselia glared at the man before her.
(...Can’t call forth a Holy Sword?)
Leonis was a little surprised.
(...It’s true, she didn’t use that power in the Ruins.)
—No, she can’t use it.
That was why she used her own body to block the claw of the <Void> for Leonis.
In that case, why was she in the academy that trains <Holy Sword> wielders—?
「You don’t have to take part in the dangerous <Void> investigation anymore. You can just be a part of my toy collection.」
Muzel showed an indecent smile and groped the breast of the girl beside him.
The girl showed some reaction, but didn’t resist, as if she was a doll without any will. Muzel groped her breast as he pleased.
(Enslavement, Mental Manipulation Sorcery? No...)
The Sorcery from a millennium ago was now lost.
In that case—
(It’s the power of his <Holy Sword>—)
...I see, so it’s not limited to weapons like Regina’s cannon, there are this sort of <Holy Swords> too. Leonis updated his understanding of the <Holy Sword>.
「—I refuse.」
Muzel clicked his tongue angrily when he heard Lyselia’s flat refusal.
「You are turning down my offering of good will!」
He pushed aside the girl he was groping, and his voice turned rough.
(How is that good will—)
Leonis was dumbstruck.
That man seemed to harbour a twisted sense of possessiveness towards Lyselia.
(Well, even a Demon King was mesmerized by her beauty—)
「—Please let me pass.」
Lyselia ignored him and moved away.
「...Wait. That attitude of yours, are you belittling me!?」
「...That hurts!」
Lyselia moaned with a pained expression.
Muzel had grabbed her long silver hair.
— At that moment.
There was a tremor in the air.
「...W-What’s happening...!?」
Muzel stopped moving.
He felt as if someone was gripping his heart, which made him break out in cold sweat.
「...」
Leonis gently kicked his heel.
That was enough for Muzel to collapse onto the ground.
To Lyselia, it looked like that man fell by himself.
「...Ah, ughh...!」
He still didn’t know what was happening.
But his body was still pressured by the aura of death, and he couldn’t even speak.
「Ah, big brother, are you alright?」
Leonis pretended to be retarded and bend down on his knees to help Muzel up.
「Eep—」
Muzel felt instinctual fear and wanted to pull his hand away, but Leonis held on tightly.
He then leaned to his ear.
「—A vulgar thing like you isn’t allowed to touch her hair. She is my woman.」
He said slowly and clearly.
「...!?」
Leonis then let go of his hand.
「W-What, who are you… D-Damn it!」
Muzel got up in a panic and shouted with a twisted face.
「...H-Holy Sword, come forth—」
「Leo-kun—!」
Lyselia immediately stood protectively in front of Leonis.
At that moment.
「Muzel Rhodes, it is prohibited to use your <Holy Sword> without permission.」
A stern voice came from the side.
Muzel clicked his tongue angrily and put down his hand.
Leonis looked in the direction of the voice and saw a girl in uniform standing there with an orb floating beside her.
Her long black hair that reached down to her waist swayed with every step she took as she walked over with a determined face.
「Speaking of which, this is the girl’s dormitories. If you don’t leave, I will report you to the Management Bureau.」
「Tsk... I-I will remember this!」
Muzel glared at the dark-haired girl, then glared at Leonis before leaving with his girls so quickly it looked like they were running away.
(...That was immature of me, getting serious with a mere mob.)
Leonis wanted to avoid being prominent in the <Holy Sword Academy>.
If not, it might affect his future actions in this city.
But when that jerk pulled her hair—
The aura of death he had been suppressing leaked out unconsciously.
(Well, what’s done is done, no biggie.)
Leonis was the most magnanimous of the Demon Kings, but everyone had their limits.
—Lyselia Christalia was already his Familiar.
「—Finn Senpai!」
「What a disaster to get targeted by Muzel Rhodes.」
A dark-haired beauty that seemed like she could meld right into the night walked over.
She was slightly taller than Lyselia and seemed very mature.
With a wave of her hand, the orb floating in the air disappeared.
So that orb was a <Holy Sword>—
「Thank you Senpai, you saved me.」
Lyselia bowed and thanked her.
The dark-haired girl shook her head, then bent down and looked at Leonis.
「You must be the boy that was found in the Ruins.」
「Yes.」
Leonis nodded a little nervously.
... Are all of Lyselia’s friends well endowed?
「I’m Elffine Fillet. The team’s radio operator.」
「Elffine... Senpai?」
Leonis heard that name before, she was the one that Lyselia communicated with.
She had a steady voice and gave the impression of being very placable.
「I’m Leonis Magnus. Ms Selia has been taking care of me.」
「Fufu, I will call you Leo-kun then.」
With that, she gently patted Leonis’ head.
...Lyselia is like that too, why do they like to shorten the name of the Demon King?
「Welcome to the <Holy Sword Academy>. I just got the male uniform from the Management Bureau, the size should be just right—」
She took out a new uniform from her bag and gave it to Lyselia.
「Thank you, Senpai.」
「Are you going to register his <Holy Sword> next?」
「Before that, I will bring Leo-kun back to the dormitories. I need to wash him clean and change his clothes.」
「Right. Selia, you should take a bath too.」
「...Ehh!? Do I smell!?」
Lyselia looked hurt and sniffed her own sleeve.
「Leo-kun, do I smell?」
「No, I don’t mind.」
「Ugghhh...」
Lyselia was flabbergasted.
「It’s not what you think. You’re just covered in sand.」
Elffine said with a wry smile.
「Oh right, are you going back to the dorms too, Finn Senpai?」
「I need to submit the investigation data to the Knights Corp. There is definitely something in the depths of the ocean.」
「Ruins?」
「No idea. We will probably need to send out an elite investigation team from the Knights Corp—」
(...The depths of the ocean?)
He was a little concerned about the contents of their conversation.
In the depths of this ocean is the Demon King Army’s final battlefield.
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