Published: March 21, 2026
Thank you for waiting.
From now on the perspective will be mostly the protagonists’!
The viewpoint may shift among the main characters.
The shadow magic finished devouring the arrows and, as if still unsatisfied, opened its jaw. A third-party voice rang out across the square.
“Both of you, stand down!!”
Accompanied by the skill “Roar,” the voice briefly halted my movements.
On the largest branch nearest the square, a tall figure appeared. Even from a distance he gave off an overwhelming presence. Seeing us freeze, he kicked off the branch he’d been using as a foothold and, in a single leap, landed in front of Kirika.
There stood the king. Not a suspicious sort like Reytis, but the kind of king everyone would picture. He wasn’t ostentatiously wearing his crown. He didn’t give the gentle aura of, say, the emperor and empress of Japan. Rather, he exuded a piercing intimidation that somehow felt soft at the same time — that unique air of someone who constantly gives orders.
“F-Father…”
Kirika muttered, stunned. So this man radiating kingly aura must be Amelia and Kirika’s father.
Amelia had said earlier that her father, the king, was also under a charm. But apparently the charm skill didn’t restrict actions or reveal position.
“What were you trying to do to Amelia, Kirika?”
“I-I was…”
The king fixed a stern gaze on Kirika. She trembled at it.
How could that be? Wasn’t the king supposed to be charmed by Kirika?
I looked to Amelia for an explanation, but she kept her head down and didn’t notice my stare. I gave up and turned to the two fathers who had appeared.
Amelia had probably been hit by that Roar. Some of the elves had fainted outright, so Amelia was actually in a better state than some of them.
One Roar knocking people out — was Kirika really the strongest of the Elf race?
“I’ll ask again. What did you intend to do to your sister?”
“Th-That woman is not my sister!”
Kirika declared in a shaking voice. Yet her eyes were wide with terror. If she was that frightened, she could at least lie and apologize. They’d see through it, but still.
“I see. I’m disappointed in you.”
The king replied curtly. His eyes showed clear contempt. Then he turned his gaze to Amelia.
“Amelia, my daughter.”
His expression changed completely, becoming apologetic as if ready to bow down. Like a husband caught cheating. Amelia finally lifted her face and met her father’s eyes.
“I am truly sorry for all that has happened.”
The king bowed deeply to Amelia.
Both Amelia and Kirika widened their eyes, and the surrounding elves murmured. The regal bearing that had radiated from him moments ago had been replaced entirely by the face of a father.
“Driving a daughter who knows nothing of the outside world out of this continent in a fit of anger — that was madness. Even if Kirika’s skill made her act strangely, I have failed both as a father and as a king.”
He bowed his head even deeper in apology.
“Why…”
At last Amelia spoke in a small voice.
I stayed quiet to read the atmosphere, but Yoru and I were completely being ignored.
Besides, if Amelia stayed in the Elf territory, we’d all go down together. Our link means if one dies, the other dies. I hadn’t tried it yet, but with Amelia’s revival magic I thought we could avoid that drawback, and Amelia had agreed. But if she wanted to stay and be separated from us, there was nothing I could do. Crossing into Demon Clan territory would be dangerous; she might die. If she wanted to stay with her family in the Elf territory, that was fine.
Honestly, I could ignore the demon king, but the glimpse of the future I saw when I activated the world eye denied that option. For some reason, if I didn’t go to the Demon King’s Castle, this world would end. We’d be swallowed by it with no return to our original world.
If what the old man at Reytis Castle said is true — that normal attack power caps at 100 and even combat-oriented jobs cap at 500 — then wherever I’d seen may or may not have been Human territory, but if the heroes fall the humans will probably be wiped out.