Ch.307Understanding NPCs. (4)

The imperial army’s attack, or rather the greedy horde’s assault, finally ceased in the evening after the sun had completely set.

“Phew! I’m exhausted…”

[So tired.]

“Miho, come here and rest your head on my lap.”

[Me too! I want pretty lady thighs!!]

“You go away!”

[Heeeng.]

Chikuyo used her tail to create a soft pillow on her lap and pulled Miho’s head down to rest. Meanwhile, Luxuria, one of the Seven Deadly Sins demons who tried to do the same, had her face pushed away. Green Dol quietly observed this scene while catching his breath.

‘The magi is everywhere. So abundant that I can’t tell front from back.’

The attacking forces weren’t particularly strong. Rather, the real problem was their insane numbers.

Green Dol had experienced wars with humans for thousands of years. Chikuyo and Miho had grown incredibly strong by Jack’s side. Even Luxuria, one of the Seven Deadly Sins demons who was supposedly equal to the demon leading the enemy forces, had provided invisible support. Yet it felt like the enemy numbers were increasing rather than decreasing. The reason they retreated was…

“Green Dol, everyone, thank you for your hard work.”

[If you really think I worked hard, lend me your thighs!! Let me rest my head!!]

“…Um, Green Dol. Would you like to use my lap as a pillow?”

[Hey! Lizette!! Don’t ignore me!!!]

“No, I’m fine. Rather, are you alright? You’ve been using healing holy magic all afternoon. You must be tired.”

Enemies that kept emerging no matter how many were killed. Allies who kept recovering no matter how badly they were wounded. The woman who created this mad spectacle was Saint Lizette. When Green Dol called out to her with concern, Lizette smiled somewhat bitterly, sat down, and waved her hand at Luxuria, who immediately placed her head on Lizette’s lap while drooling. Why does this Deadly Sin demon like the saint so much?

“I’m a bit tired, but not as much as the soldiers and all of you who kept fighting. Besides, thanks to gathering all the soldiers in one place, the healing area was greatly reduced, so I didn’t even have to move.”

[Mmm… so soft~]

“Luxuria? It’s fine to rest, but your invisibility is fading. I just saw your tail.”

[Eh. This is tiring too, honestly I want to drop it. No, let me drop it! Let’s move somewhere without people!!]

“Lizette, just let me borrow that lap. Push that thing away.”

“Yes. I’d rather give it to Green Dol. Move as—”

[Sorry!! I’ll stay hidden properly!! I won’t be annoying!!!]

The female demon of lust, Luxuria, who was cleverly hiding her appearance so only we could see her, begged desperately—or rather, rubbed Lizette’s thighs with her palms while apologizing loudly. I sighed deeply. Jack, won’t you come take this demon away soon? They haven’t even been lovers for long, and yet she’s touching another woman’s thighs…

“Green Dol? What’s wrong?”

“Ah, nothing. I was just thinking it’s strange that we fought such a war of attrition, yet no demon appeared.”

I was glaring at Luxuria when Lizette immediately noticed and asked with a tilted head. I made an excuse without thinking, and Luxuria grinned knowingly before moving her tail to gently stroke Lizette’s calf. Hey, hey! What are you doing?!

“L-Luxuria? Your tail is touching my calf?”

[Hehehe, I’m just tired. My tail needs rest too.]

“…I see. If your tail needs rest, should I pull it out?”

[My goodness? Who do you think I belong to?! If you touch my tail, I’ll tell Jack!!]

When I frowned at the demon making comments that could be mistaken for sexual harassment, Chikuyo also started chuckling, apparently having noticed. Hmm, is Miho already asleep?

“She must be very tired. After all, our Miho was the one who urged us to follow Jack quickly and arrived at the battlefield before anyone else.”

“…Now that you mention it, that’s true. Looking at it now, your growth since meeting Jack is truly eye-opening.”

“Right? I’m starting to feel like I might even be able to hold my own against you, Elder.”

“Hah, what good would it do to defeat an old man like me? You’ll all grow even stronger. Certainly to the point where I won’t be a match for you. You’ll likely reach a level similar to Jack’s.”

After arriving at the battlefield, I overheard Lizette talking with someone called a general of Ponia from the rear. Apparently, about two days ago, a gray-haired man said that people who could block the current enemy forces would arrive here. Coincidentally, that meant just me and Lizette. I hope he hasn’t already arrived at the empire to take all these kids away. I can’t handle this alone. No, let me correct myself—that sexual harasser demon can go.

“Hehe. When the Elder says so, it really seems possible. But I didn’t feel like I was getting stronger while fighting these creatures.”

[Of course not. These aren’t even moved by magi. They’re not even ordinary undead. They’re empty shells created by Greed. Like dolls with only the battle instincts of their living selves. It’s different from gaining experience and magical power by killing monsters. Well, there might be some effect on improving personal combat skills, like exercise.]

With Luxuria’s explanation added, it becomes even more frustrating to know that there won’t be much growth from a battle that already seemed pointless.

“…But you don’t seem very tired. Wouldn’t it be better to move around now during this lull and look for the enemy?”

[This elf is harsh with demons. And it’s impossible, you know that. This whole area is filled with magi emitted by the dolls that creature created. If I wander around, I might get swallowed up defenseless.]

When the demon pretended to bite Lizette’s thigh while making an “Ang!” sound, I widened my eyes, but Lizette swung her palm first and hit the demon woman’s head. Well done! Now move aside! I’ll wipe off the drool and lie down myself!!

“…Even if it grows massive and enormous, the main body is still one. And those who are swallowed cannot be saved.”

[Hm? Oh. Jack’s words? Well, that seems obvious, but I don’t know how that’s supposed to help.]

When I tried to push her away, the demon woman firmly gripped Lizette’s thigh, refusing to get up. I clicked my tongue as Lust agreed with Lizette’s words, pretending not to hear me. Jack! Just take this one away! I’ll briefly borrow Chikuyo and Miho’s help and send them back!! Just take this demon away now!!!

As we continued to rest and chat, relieving the fatigue from fighting all afternoon…

-…Ears perking!

“Mmm… Sister?”

“…It’s too quiet?”

We were laughing and talking among ourselves, so we were slow to notice. The enemy had retreated, but the Ponian army hadn’t completely withdrawn. And yet.

“…Green Dol?”

“I can’t hear anything. No movement of troops, no sound of patrols. Until just now, I could even faintly hear the high-ranking officers in conference.”

A situation where not a single sound could be heard, despite elven hearing and beast-folk hearing. Even Miho, who had been sleeping, opened her eyes, drawn by Chikuyo’s tension, and Luxuria, who had been lying down, quickly looked around to check something.

“…We’re screwed.”

“L-Luxuria?! Why suddenly…!!”

When the saint was startled by Luxuria suddenly dropping her invisibility, Luxuria raised the corners of her mouth, but with eyes devoid of humor, and spoke.

“Looks like this bastard has surrounded the entire territory for days.”

“…What are you talking about? Explain so we can understand.”

-Shing, thud.

As Green Dol drew his sword, tense from the unusual situation, Chikuyo also transformed her tail into a sword, immediately preparing for battle. They had been properly vigilant, expecting a night attack since the opponent was a demon, not a human. What had happened in this brief moment?

“Look around. The magi that was so abundant until just now is completely gone.”

“…Huh?”

“The magi. It’s all disappeared?”

Neither the saint’s eyes nor Green Dol’s, whose senses had become quite developed due to being corrupted by magi before, could see or detect any magi. As everyone began to panic upon noticing this anomaly, Luxuria spread her enormous wings without any intention of hiding and shouted.

“I, Luxuria of the Seven Deadly Sins, command! O Lust, source of all life!! Multiply!!!”

-KUUUUUNG!!!!

Black magi began to completely surround not only the group but also the outer walls of the fortress, darkening even the night sky. Lizette and Green Dol’s eyes widened at the sudden activation of this power, and they pointed their swords at her, but Chikuyo and Miho blocked their way.

“Elder, it’s alright. I don’t trust this one, but she’s a demon contracted with Jack. There’s no problem.”

“Yes. Both of you, just watch for now.”

“B-but.”

“…Luxuria. Can we trust you?”

“Heh, you don’t have to trust me if you don’t want to. Just…”

-GUUUUUNG!!!

“…Shit. Half of you will die even if you do nothing!!”

“What?!!”

“W-what is that?!!!”

Just before her magi completely blackened the outer walls, something enveloped her magi from above, causing a massive explosion. It gathered in the sky, large enough to block it entirely, forming what looked like giant human teeth that began to fall. Green Dol embraced Lizette, and Chikuyo embraced Miho, both ducking down as if to avoid the attack. And Luxuria, left standing alone…

“Fuck!! As if being eaten by a pig wasn’t enough, I’m all alone!!! This is so unfair!!!”

She shouted, seeing everyone else hugging each other while leaving her out.