The Elemental Sword Demon King
Episode 201: The Eyes of the Demon Witch
POV: Kirigaya Kaizo
_____________________________________
At dawn, Kaizo began preparing to leave after a short nap.
Using a wooden stick instead of a sword, he swung it to relax his tense and stiff muscles. Then, Kaizo walked to the square for breakfast.
On the fifth day of this «Steel» Festival, the fight against «Four Dewa» is in sight.
Although the opposing team is famous for their strength, «Tim Salamander» has also developed teamwork through various fierce battles against formidable enemies. «Four Dewa» is not impossible to beat.
In the square, the young ladies had already started to prepare breakfast.
"You have disappointed me so much. 'Test him secretly.' You took the chance!"
"What are you talking about? My investigation is not wrong!"
Kaizo suddenly stopped his steps. Victoria and Eve seem to be at odds.
(Maybe about last night?)
Kaizo quietly hid himself in the shadows among the trees and listened carefully. He was very curious why Eve asked that question last night.
"Seriously. I can't believe I suspect Kaizo as Rei Assar. Really ridiculous. Kaizo is innocent, I'm sure of that."
"W-how can you be so sure!?"
"You'll understand as soon as you read this." Saying that, Eve took out from her breast pocket a notebook yesterday.
"What does this explain?"
"Rei Assar's favorite food is soft, smooth cotton candy. When she takes a bath, she washes her stomach first. Kaizo's answer is completely different."
"Huh?" Victoria frowned in wonder.
(A-what happened, this is really incomprehensible!?) Hidden in the shadows, Kaizo inevitably laughed at the situation in his mind.
"Whatis that? How do you know what Rei Assar's favorite food is?" Victoria stared intently at Eve who crossed her arms confidently.
Eve explained, "Every fan who adores her knows this. Back then, the magazine had many articles about him and I cut them all up and collected them."
"I-I don't believe you." Victoria breathed a desperate sigh.
"Such reports must have been casually made. Moreover, the question of something strange had absolutely nothing to do with Rei Assar!"
"Hmm, um..."
"You two stop playing around. Help prepare breakfast!"
Due to Aura's nagging meddling, the two girls' conversation was interrupted.
(So yeah, so that was a weird question last night.)
Hiding in the shadows among the trees, Kaizo felt cold sweat dripping down his cheeks. Eve's question is based on the profile of «The Strongest Sword Style Holder, Rei Assar.
(By the way, three years ago, the day before the final, journalists from every country swarmed over me, hoping for an interview.)
Even in women's clothing, Kaizo couldn't disguise his voice. Therefore, when faced with a reporter's question, he only answered briefly with a "yes" or "no" answer". Thanks to that, many silly rumors began to spread from the interview.
(However, that's not the case.)
The troubling thing is that Victoria and the girls begin to suspect Kaizo's true identity. Although they seemed to be only at the stage of speculation.
"Kaizo, what's up♪?"
As a cheerful voice spoke to him from behind, Kaizo shouted in surprise, "Ewah!"
"Come on, this isn't something worth being afraid of."
Turning around, Kaizo found the rogue imperial princess showing a wounded expression, "Pardon me, the situation has become a little messy."
"What's the problem?"
"It looks like they suspected me of being Rei Assar three years ago." Kaizo groaned as he squatted on the ground, clutching his head.
"They seem to be only half in doubt, but I'm afraid I'm in trouble if they continue to investigate further."
"Why don't you just be honest with everything?"
"Indeed right. I also want to keep this a secret just between the two of us." Tiana smiled lightly.
"Well, I'm sure there won't be any problems as long as there's no more mistakes. Moreover, Kaizo as Rei Assar was completely unbelievable from the point of view of an ordinary person. I think Victoria and the others just let their imaginations run wild recklessly."
"I really hope you're right."
As Kaizo sighed deeply, he suddenly noticed, his usually delicate skin was covered with many wounds.
"Tiana, what happened to your arm?"
"Oh, this, umm, was caused by a sword exercise with «Deus El Machina» yesterday. Don't worry, I'm fine. I've already cast healing magic so it'll recover soon." Smiling wryly, Tiana shook her head.
"Don't I tell you not to push yourself?"
"Yes, sorry." He lowered his head apologizing. Seeing the normally calm imperial princess show such an expression, Kaizo felt uneasy.
(Really, Tiana seems quite anxious.)
Yesterday, he expressed his concern over whether he was becoming a burden to the team. Therefore, he wanted to become stronger even though it meant exerting himself excessively.
(But the power obtained in such a way is easy to collapse.) Saying that in his heart, Kaizo placed her hand on Tiana's head.
"Well, w-what are you doing?"
"Tiana, I believe in you. Do your best."
"Kaizo?" Tiana's twilight colored eyes trembled finely. Facing his unusual expression, Kaizo could only feel a warm feeling in his heart.
"Who's there!?" Tiana suddenly shouted loudly. He immediately left Kaizo's side and stared into the thicket vigilantly.
"Tiana, what's wrong?"
"An unpleasant presence. It comes from my instincts as a princess maiden."
"An unpleasant presence?" Kaizo frowned while following his gaze. Entering his gaze was a small, bright green snake, watching them with its red eyes widening.
"Snakes? No, that..."
"Yes, familiar from a Spirit Contractor." Tiana whispered softly.
"As expected of the famous «Lost Queen». Even familiar existences were detected." The snake spoke with a very sweet childish voice.
Kaizo directly pulled out his short sword from his waist and positioned Tiana behind him.
"Who is this?"
"Fufuu, it's the first time we've spoken like this." The snake's laughter was terrifying. His tongue poked out as he lifted his body, and said, "this is me you know, the demon witch from the Alphen Territory."
"Devil Witch, are you Sefira Blum!?" Tiana shouted sharply while Kaizo stared with widened eyes in surprise.
Sefira Blum, second person from «Team Inferno».
"I never thought an ordinary familiar could cross the barrier." Tiana bit her lips in dismay.
"In terms of strength, your barrier is pretty good. But thanks to the big hole opened by the dark spirit and Nephesis Loran it's, well, hehe." The snake smiled as it repeatedly licked Tiana's body with its sharp gaze.
Under that seemingly poisonous gaze, Tiana's shoulders trembled slightly as she stood behind Kaizo.
"Fufuu, I know that. «Darkness Queen» is more suitable for you," continued the snake.
"What?!"
As Kaizo frowned in confusion over the term, the snake descended from Tiana's shoulder.
"Then be careful, the successor of the Demon King. We'll meet again." The snake quickly disappeared into the depths of the thicket.
"Wait!"
"Pursuing him is useless. It's just familiar." Tiana stopped Kaizo as she was about to give chase.
(Indeed, despite being caught, it doesn't matter.)
...
*Connected.....
*Note: This story is fictitious. If there is a similarity in the name of the character, the scene, or the story, it is a mere coincidence and there is no element of intentionality.