My Status as an Assassin Obviously Exceeds the Hero's

"Grant my wish. Children of another world."

The words woven from that beautiful sound flowed through my whole body as if soaking in.

It sounded less like a request and more like an order, but since they had chosen to talk instead of starting a fight the moment we stepped near their nest, we had to hear them out. I didn't know what kind of trick this was, but by the time we realized we were so neatly surrounded, we'd already lost. If they'd ambushed us, regardless of the outcome, we'd have taken heavier losses. Maybe they’d gone to such extremes in encirclement to steer the conversation to their advantage.

"...Ah—before we talk, sorry, but we're ignorant about dragonkind and demonic beasts' etiquette. If we offend you, please overlook it. Is that alright?"

Against fellow humans you can at least guess taboos, but with a different species I had no clue what would provoke them. I wasn't willing to be crushed because I didn't understand.

One of the lead dragons made a warning sound, perhaps displeased by my tone or annoyed that we remained armed, but Hiraes the dragon stopped it with a flick of his tail.

"I forgive you. What is your name, Assassin of another world?"

"I'm Akira Oda. This is my familiar Yoru and the Elf race princess Amelia Rose Quartz. The others are the hero Tsukasa Satou, the samurai Kyousuke Asahina, and the wind mage Rintarou Nanase—also from the same world."

I quickly introduced everyone and looked up at Hiraes.

I stressed that Yoru was my familiar, especially since when we were surrounded before he had been called the "demon king's right hand."

"So 'the demon king's right hand' Black Cat has been given the name Yoru."

His voice was leisurely but sounded oddly welcoming. He treated us differently than he would the Demon Clan.

"Right—what do you want?"

Why choose dialogue rather than immediately eliminating intruders? I wondered.

"...Master, the dragonkind here are descendants of the elder line, not the ones created by the demon king like those found in labyrinths or the wyvern the other day. In other words, dragonkind here have built a kingdom within Demon Clan territory that even the demon king's clan cannot meddle with. Consider them a completely different lifeform from the monsters you have defeated. The demon king chose dialogue in this matter. Be cautious."

Yoru murmured into my ear.

He explained that all the dragon-type monsters we'd fought so far were degradations of primordial demonic beasts like Hiraes made by the current and past demon kings. But the dragonkind here were Hiraes' descendants and on a whole different tier than ordinary monsters.

The status readings flickering in my vision were full of values far above mine, and Hiraes' own values—which should have been most visible at the center—were nearly all "measurement impossible," just like Amelia's magical power.

Amelia, who could also see that, was speechless.

"Yeah. I know."

We understood we were breathing under the mercy of a far higher species. A single wrong answer could end all our lives.

"Don't be so afraid. It's been since the one called the first generation hero that I last spoke to humans... the presence is nostalgic. I welcome you."

At Hiraes' words, the surrounding dragons—those forming the circle—stirred, not us.

Apparently even past demon kings who ruled continents had been denied audience, yet Hiraes remained gentle throughout the conversation.

Maybe he resembled the first generation hero who likely came from the same Japan as us. From abroad, people say we all look alike. I once saw groups of foreign tourists during a school trip; it was hard to tell faces apart—probably the same idea.

"Now then, I have one request for you. Something only humans can do."

Hiraes opened his mouth in that slow tone.

"Destroy a crystal held within the Human race. Destroy it without a trace, utterly clean."

Make it as if it had never existed.

That was Hiraes' continuation.

My mind flashed to the crystal the princess had used to curse classmates. Among the Human territory crystals I'd seen, that was the only one I knew.