Published: September 10, 2025
※2015/6/3 Typo corrections made.
※2015/6/3 Some additions made.
※This chapter has a lot of viewpoint changes. If you dislike that, please be cautious.
Chronologically, this story takes place between 13-27 and 13-28.
◇Mito’s Perspective◇
“This is so boring~”
Sitting atop one of the water towers in the downtown area, I gaze down below.
Since Ichiro Brother came to pick me up this morning, I’ve been watching Shin-kun at the orphanage from here, but really, nothing is happening.
Apparently, the green demon race that came to the Royal Capital last night did not approach Shin-kun, so I think this kid might be unrelated to the recent incidents.
—Oh, contact detected!
At the communal well, Shin-kun has come with the other orphans to fetch water, and some boys who look like troublemakers are approaching him.
I can’t hear what they’re saying... Let me try the “Appraisal Skill (Hearing Boost)” magic.
“—It’s for carrying loads.”
“What’s the reward?”
“After carrying it, I’ll feed you. That’s fair, right?”
“I want something I can bring back to the orphanage.”
Oh my, he’s quite a good kid. No wonder Ichiro Brother wants to look out for him.
Looks like they came to an agreement. Shin-kun left the water-fetching to the others and followed the boy.
I put on my cloak of concealment and leap across the rooftops to follow.
“So, this is what you’re supposed to carry?”
“Yeah, it's a warehouse just beyond the communal cemetery. You've been there before, so you know the way.”
Kids about Shin-kun’s age were pulling several carts.
The men who entrusted the work to them seem to be from a shady trading company called “Kobai Kitsune.” As the name suggests, they probably deal in stolen goods.
Without being stopped by Guards, the carts Shin-kun and the others pulled reached their destination—the communal cemetery.
There, three men wearing purple priest robes blocked the way.
There’s no such thing as purple priest robes.
But, back when I was king, some people wore such robes.
—Demon god worshippers, “Absolute Equality.”
I activated my appraisal skill to check the purple priests, but they were not those guys.
I heard from Ichiro Brother that they seem to be part of a carefree occult group called “Winds of Freedom.”
But something’s off. The priests’ behavior is strange. Upon closer inspection, their status was “suggested” or “hypnotized.”
“What’s this? Hey, priests! Could you move aside? You’re in the way.”
One of the boys carrying the load tried to intimidate the three blocking them.
“Thieves, the kind. We know that among these goods is something to be offered to His Majesty.”
“Leave immediately.”
“If you do, we won’t take your lives.”
The three said calmly, and the boys became furious and drew their daggers.
“Don’t mess with us! If you want us to abandon the load halfway, you better take us on if you don’t need your lives!”
“Very well.”
The priests sneered at the childish threats and drew their thin swords.
Hmm, it would be a problem if Shin-kun got hurt. I’ll find out what they are aiming for.
I jumped down from the trees and leapt in front of the men.
I caught the wild-swinging dagger with my broom and blocked the thrusting thin sword with my magic small shield “Automatic Defense (Auto Defense).”
“Who goes there!”
“Hello~ Just a passing pretty girl~”
The men frowned at my smile, and the boys looked exasperated.
What rude men. I’d love to make Ichiro Brother’s spirit rub off on them.
“That body movement—A woman! You must be Ryuona, the ‘Grass Cutter’ of the Shiga Eight Swords!”
“Impossible, you’ve guessed our scheme so soon!”
“We can hesitate no longer.”
The priests stepped back and lowered their thin swords.
“Surrender?”
I kindly suggested, but my words were ignored.
The three priests took something red from their chests, pressed it to their foreheads, and spoke in unison:
“‘Short Horn,’ feed on our desires and grant us cruel power!”