Ch.44The Wizard Milia (10)

Mage Millia (10)

Legion Commander Five, or the Fire Spirit.

And in the past, she was a hero known by the name ‘Garnet’.

More precisely, a failed hero.

Like Esmeralda, she headed to the demon realm and died there.

By none other than the hands of her companions.

“Why… why would you…”

“I told you already. You trust people too easily.”

The reason for the betrayal was fear of going to defeat the Demon King.

Her companions killed the hero, Garnet, thinking they should grow stronger and attack the Demon King more slowly.

Wouldn’t she have wanted that too?

If they could grow safely, Garnet would have wanted that as well.

But there was no time.

The Demon King of that era, Beelzebub, had such an aggressive nature that every day was a war.

The more she delayed, the more people died on the battlefield.

So there was a need to take some risks to overturn the situation.

Everyone agreed and they infiltrated the demon realm, but…

“Then you should have objected from the start! Why, why now…”

She was betrayed immediately after.

By all her companions.

She never imagined those who had shared life and death with her would betray her overnight.

“Haha, Garnet. If we objected then, what would that make us? Well, I’m sorry for betraying you after coming this far. But this was the best scenario.”

A hero who entered the demon realm but died after a reckless battle.

To create such a setting.

There were signs. She did feel something like an ominous atmosphere.

But she dismissed it as tension from entering the demon realm.

Yes, her unconditional trust in them was why she was backstabbed.

Because she believed in the intangible thing called affection and harbored no suspicion.

“I’ll curse you… All of you will die miserably!”

“Oh my, how frightening.”

Garnet died grinding her teeth.

And ironically, the curse she laid before dying would be carried out by her own hands.

***

Esmeralda couldn’t help but make a sour face after hearing Five’s long-winded story.

“That’s why. Isn’t it sad? That’s why I envy your ability. Being able to see through whatever someone is hiding.”

“Ah, um… I see.”

Somehow she felt like she was treading the same path. Or rather, she had already walked it.

‘Eirene, that bitch. The more I think about it, the more it pisses me off.’

While Esmeralda had thought Five’s granted power was enviable, now she wasn’t so sure.

They say the grass is always greener on the other side, and she deeply understood why Five envied her.

If she hadn’t awakened [Emerald Tablet], wouldn’t she have followed the same path?

Thinking about it sent chills down her spine.

“Well, that’s that. Seems like our talk is over, shall we continue?”

“Ah, sorry. Was my story too long? I tend to get a bit emotional on snowy days, please understand.”

“It’s fine. It was good for catching my breath.”

“That’s good then. Did you feel anything from it?”

“Um… I don’t think so?”

Would she betray someone just because she heard such a long-winded story? It didn’t seem likely.

She had already walked that path.

There’s no need for empathy or anything else now. It’s currently ongoing.

Moreover, unlike Five, she was in the process of resolving it. There was no need to listen to a failure’s words.

Five didn’t seem to expect much either, just rambling on with self-pity.

“Hmm?”

As Five’s clone leisurely surrounded the hero while lamenting, one of them suddenly paused and began looking into the distance.

“Did you perhaps remember leaving the fireplace on at home?”

“We don’t use firewood at our place.”

“I guess you wouldn’t need it since you’re burning yourself.”

She had thrown that out hoping Five might leave, but of course that wouldn’t happen.

Esmeralda cleanly abandoned any lingering hope.

Still, it was strange that Five was looking into the distance with such a stern expression.

“I died? How did I die?”

“Torn apart by your companions?”

“Not that. Are you mocking me right now?”

“I wouldn’t dare.”

Esmeralda shrugged her shoulders while quietly gathering her strength.

Whatever it was, it was good news.

Whether it was the Tower Master or someone else, it meant the battle was over.

Either way, reinforcements would come. Then Esmeralda’s side would get some breathing room.

And conversely…

“I need to go.”

“Ah, take care.”

“But I should clean up here first.”

It also meant her opponent had no reason to take it easy anymore.

“Then shall we speed things up a bit? I’ll increase the tempo, try to keep up.”

“Oh no…”

The hero, Esmeralda, was instantly cornered.

By now, it was a familiar situation.

***

It was a critical situation.

The thought crossed my mind: should I defeat Legion Commander Five with my own hands?

If I did, information about me would flow directly to Five’s main body. This was different from the situation with Eleven, who didn’t even know what hit her, like a mere daydream.

But if I didn’t resist, I would die.

I knew Five’s personality was terrible even when I was stupid.

Having already irritated her, I knew this wouldn’t end with just a beating. That meant I had to face her here.

It would be difficult to gloss over this.

Her main body would accurately observe my power, and that would likely flow directly to the Demon King.

If that happened, my return would become uncertain, and I’d be hunted by both sides, let alone escaping from the hero’s party.

Well, I was already being hunted by the hero’s party in some sense.

It seems my habits remain even when my head is stupid—perhaps being near women itself was a sin.

“Now then. Shall we take a look at that special quality you’re trying so hard to hide?”

“You’re quite perceptive.”

She even knows that I’m wary of showing my power.

From what I’ve been hearing, it seems rumors about my existence being special are already circulating.

Considering what happened with Eleven, it’s only natural.

Still, I could have glossed over it with the ‘mixed blood’ issue.

“Well, if things had gone as I wanted, I wouldn’t be running around in a place like this.”

I steel my resolve.

I haven’t met the Demon King yet, but I can’t die here.

I’ll decide what to do next step by step.

“Now! Let’s see…!”

A sword refined from flames rises above Five’s hand.

Just as I reach into the flames surrounding me to seize control—

CRASH!

Something black and slimy penetrates the world of flames.

“Huh?!”

That black, slimy thing writhes around my body and pulls me away.

Its form is familiar.

The very thing I was desperately running from just moments ago.

Millia’s magic tentacles.

“Lug is really popular.”

Millia Asrin had finally appeared after defeating Five’s clone.

The proof was in her hand—something red.

Five’s head.

“This is insane.”

Honestly, she’s scarier than Five.

I didn’t think someone of Millia’s level could defeat Five.

True, her talent was as extraordinary as a hero’s, but it should have been insufficient.

“Indeed.”

But the reason became clear when Eirene followed behind.

Holding a blood-stained morning star in one hand with a gentle smile was truly unsettling.

Yes, while one person might not be enough, two working together could make it possible.

For some reason, seeing them looking so friendly with each other makes me feel like I have a fishbone stuck in my throat.

Anyway, it must have been quite a battle. The beautiful dresses they were wearing were scorched and torn in various places, leaving me nowhere to look.

“If you stare so intently, I’ll get embarrassed, Mr. Lug.”

“Ah, sorry. You should have worn more modest dresses.”

“…Indeed. This is my fault. If you say so, Mr. Lug, it must be true.”

I meant there was too much to look at, making it hard to focus on one spot.

Honestly, it’s a pleasant sight.

While their injuries are concerning, Eirene’s torn, shortened skirt revealing her prominently white thighs…

“Ugh…”

And Millia’s large chest, nearly visible due to the burned and broken edge…

“Does it bother you?”

“Very much.”

“I see.”

I’m not that much of a gentleman, so this is really troublesome.

The current me can exercise some restraint, but my usual self would have definitely thought they were seducing me and pounced.

Wait, aren’t they actually seducing me?

“Wait, Lug. Once I get rid of that woman, we can be together forever.”

“Watch your language, Lady Millia. Mr. Lug is still public property.”

It does seem like seduction…

But something feels very off.

Was I ever this popular in my previous life?

Really this much?

Why so much? Why on earth…?

“Well, little ones. Is the farce over? Then could you please do whatever you’re going to do? You’re annoying.”

“Oh, I just noticed there’s still one bug left, Lady Millia.”

“A demon who doesn’t know love, how pitiful.”

“You two are beyond crazy…”

Five grimaces with a disgruntled voice.

“Mr. Lug, please wait just a moment.”

“Don’t think about running away.”

But I was the one who wanted to grimace.