Published: September 10, 2025
※2018/11/26 Typo corrections made.
“Namu~?”
“That looks painful.”
Tama and Pochi murmured as they sat in the safe zone.
Near the main keep of the sunken Imperial Castle at the center of the Imperial Capital, the shoulder of the horned woman—the demon king of the lamia—was stained bright red.
Hikaru had sniped the fallen hero Fuu, who was controlling the Demon King, with the “Multiple Spear Dance.”
“That attack just now wasn’t from Lulu, but from Mito, it seems.”
Liza, standing behind Tama and Pochi, looked up at their comrades protected by Nana’s throne, the Absolute Throne floating in the sky.
—LWUHAMZIEEA.
The Demon King let out a roar.
Hero Fuu’s reflexes weren’t sharp enough to dodge the supersonic rain of javelins accelerated by Lulu’s cannon.
However—
“Ramiko-san!”
Hero Fuu’s slightly high-pitched shout echoed over the rubble of the Imperial Capital.
“Gah, she’s alive.”
Arisa let out a voice of some relief.
“The lamia demon king turned away her face and shielded that girl.”
Lulu, an excellent sniper, seemed to have noticed it clearly.
The Demon King who looked over at them had her face gouged, but she began regenerating as white steam rose from her body.
—LWUHA.
The Demon King wrapped her hands around Hero Fuu.
“Ramiko-san?”
Near the upper end of the Demon King’s sternum, the flesh at her chest opened, guiding Hero Fuu inside.
“I see—you can become one with Ramiko-san.”
Hero Fuu narrowed his eyes in delight and disappeared beyond the wall of flesh.
“Was I eaten?”
“She’s a two-mouth woman!”
“No, I don’t think it’s actual predation, though?”
Arisa, correcting Tama and Pochi’s misunderstanding, seemed a little unsure herself.
As a dark purple light flowed through the Demon King's entire body, her form changed.
“The Demon King has changed form.”
“Hero’s armor and dagger?”
Equipment that appeared to belong to Hero Fuu was mounted on the lamia’s body.
Her lower half was still a serpent, but that too was covered in equipment that seemed to be transformed leg armor.
However, it seemed a bit loose during the equipment change because the Lesser Fenrir, Miao, who was tightly constricted by the serpent lower half, managed to escape danger.
◇
“It’s dark… but warm and soft.”
“Akari... suru.”
In response to Hero Fuu’s murmur, a girl’s voice answered haltingly.
A narrow room created inside a chamber pulsating red.
Hero Fuu was sitting on a pilot’s chair in the center.
“—Ugh!”
Hero Fuu gasped at the sudden acceleration but was not thrown from the seat.
Thin tentacles serving as seat belts held him in place.
“Ramiko-san, can you see outside?”
“Mi-ieru, suru.”
The wall ahead became transparent, allowing them to see outside.
Floating before them was the spherical, layered magic circle—Nana’s throne.
“The enemies are strong. Ramiko-san, use my equipment.”
“Soubi, suru.”
Tentacles extended from the wall to receive the hero’s armor and dagger taken out from Hero Fuu’s inventory.
“I wish there were more, but I already gave the others to the generals…”
“Thank you, Fuu.”
Though the voice was flat, Hero Fuu felt deep care in those words.
He faced forward.
Unusually straight, especially for someone who often looked down.
“Eliminate the enemy, Ramiko-san.”
“Senmetsu, suru.”
Receiving Hero Fuu’s order, the Demon King resumed the fight.
◇
“Phalanx~!”
Pochi hastily raised a disposable defensive shield, the phalanx, blocking an attack that could even slice through castle walls.
The Demon King’s arm extended, attacking Pochi with a huge Holy Dagger.
At first, Pochi and the others blocked with swords, but even “Dragon Fang” weapons that could pierce everything weren’t strong enough to take the large mass of Orichalcum alloy Holy Daggers unscathed.
If the blade’s angle faltered even slightly, it would cause damage.
“We can’t get close like this.”
“That’s not true! We can at least launch the 'Kapataruto'!”
Liza, who dodged the attack of the second Holy Dagger, ran alongside Pochi.