When I Was Reincarnated into the World of an Ultra-Difficult Game, I Ended Up As the Sole Subordinate of the Ridiculously Strong yet Incompetent Demon Lord, Tasked with Creating a Dungeon
“Well, since for some reason all the Four Heavenly Kings are gathered, it’s time for me to show off my great prowess!”
“Maou-sama, please don’t be discouraged.”
“Why is Primilla already offering words of consolation?!”
Well, it’s probably because of everything that’s happened before…
Even the other Four Heavenly Kings, including Ripianem, seem to be expecting the inevitable failure.
“Indeed, I can’t take advantage of the increased probability bonus, but I’ve managed to draw a decent number of revival potions in the past. Here, this is proof!”
With an unyielding spirit, Fiona-sama poured her magic into the treasure chest.
As expected of Maou-sama—no matter how many times she fails, she never gives up.
“Mmmmmm…”
“It’s a bracelet.”
It seemed she had drawn yet another piece of equipment.
It wasn’t a revival potion, but since no one outright called it a failure, perhaps it had some useful function.
“Hmm… I suppose I shall bestow this upon Ripianem.”
“Thank you.”
Yeah. When Maou-sama hands down equipment to her subordinates like this, the scene looks quite dignified.
It’s almost hard to believe how slightly unreliable she usually seems.
“By the way, what kind of bracelet is that?”
The bracelet had intricate decorations, but in this world, things are rarely just for show.
Considering my own ring, it’s reasonable to assume it has some kind of special effect.
“It’s called the Soul Devourer Bracelet—it drains the strength of whoever equips it.”
“That’s a cursed item!”
So it’s one of those, huh?
Once equipped, it probably can’t be removed without a purification spell, and it has some kind of detrimental effect.
Why is this demon handing such an item to her most powerful subordinate?
“Ripianem, you must not put that on.”
I had assumed it was a piece of equipment meant for use, but based on what I just heard, it was clearly something not to be worn.
Maybe she just thought it looked nice and was giving it as an ornament.
“I already put it on.”
“Ah…”
Too late. Now the only option is to see if it can be removed.
If I remember correctly, Sera is a saintess, so maybe she can do something?
Or since it’s an equipment item, maybe Karl knows something about it.
“Calm down, Rey. I didn’t just hand Ripianem the Soul Devourer Bracelet without thinking.”
“Hmm… My body feels heavier than usual. But this could be useful for training.”
Ripianem
Magic: 73
Strength: 99
Technique: 80
Endurance: 70
Agility: 99
Her overall stats have dropped significantly.
Even so, she’s still strong enough to be formidable against anyone outside the Four Heavenly Kings, which is honestly impressive.
“This bracelet continuously absorbs the power of whoever wears it, storing that energy within itself. Meaning, as long as she’s wearing it, Ripianem should be able to keep her strength suppressed.”
“Oh… I see. So even if she can’t control her strength, this bracelet forcibly lowers her output.”
At first, I was alarmed by the sudden decision to equip a subordinate with a cursed item, but thinking about it rationally, this is actually the perfect equipment for Ripianem.
Even in a weakened state, she’s still overwhelmingly strong. The only real threats to her are the heroes.
More importantly, this might finally solve the problem she’s been struggling with in daily life.
“This isn’t actually a cursed item, is it?”
“Of course not! Why would I give her something weird like that?”
That makes sense.
I know all too well that Fiona-sama has a soft spot for her subordinates.
There’s no way she would give Ripianem a cursed item.
“Here, Ripianem.”
“Ah, my apologies, Rigma.”
Rigma handed Ripianem a metal ball, as if to test her strength.
…Wait, isn’t that a piece of his own body? As expected of a slime—he just casually tears off parts of himself.
“Hmph!”
She tried to crush part of Rigma’s body, but the metal ball only deformed slightly.
Normally, Ripianem would have pulverized it completely. This is a huge improvement.
“…Looks like it’s working. If that’s the case, she might actually be able to work at our inn without destroying all the furniture.”
“Really?! Alright! Leave everything to me!”
“Wait, wait, wait. Let me at least think about where to assign you first.”
Even if her strength is suppressed, her tendency to charge forward like a runaway locomotive hasn’t changed.
Still, she looks so happy.
Now she can finally help out at places that would have turned her away before. Of course she’d be excited.
“Ripianem, you should work wherever you like. Do it in my stead.”
“Maou-sama…”
“Hold on. Sorry to interrupt this touching moment, but she’s just dumping work onto you.”
“No problem! Now I can help with anything!”
“Please don’t spoil Maou-sama too much…”
“Rey, I feel like I’m being treated carelessly. Please console me. Pamper me.”
…Please don’t involve me in this.
And Primilla , don’t glare at me like that. I could actually tell you made a slight facial expression just now.
“Well, going to different places and finding a job that suits her sounds like the best plan.”
“Then let’s do that. Come, Rigma. Follow me!”
“Ugh… I’m on my break…”
“I’m leaving without you!”
“Hey! Someone has to explain things to the employees! You need me!”
…Yep, as expected, Rigma is the one who ends up dealing with all the fallout.
He’s such a hard worker that it’s almost inevitable.
◇
“…No, this isn’t right.”
“Yeah, I know. I kinda forgot about that.”
Rigma, who runs an inn under the name Dartle, oversees various tasks—including cleaning the rooms after guests leave. It’s the staff’s job to prepare the rooms as if they were brand new for the next visitors.
“Alright, try again.”
“Understood. Like this, right?”
When Ripianem cleaned the room, the furniture toppled over. Items fell to the floor.
The bed, which was supposedly made, ended up looking messier than one that had already been slept in.
“Why?”
“…I forgot you’re clumsy.”
Hey, you have a Technique stat of 80. If even you’re considered clumsy, then the entire world might as well be clumsy too.
That being said, I had also forgotten. I once theorized that Ripianem’s high technique was purely specialized in swordsmanship.
Now, with her power controlled, her stats had dropped.
…Could it be that, as a trade-off for gaining control over her strength, she actually became clumsier?
◇
“So, I just need to pull these weeds out?”
“Yes, please harvest them from the root.”
“…It tore apart.”
“……Well, at least there aren’t any massive holes in the field this time, so that’s progress.”
Is she clumsy, or is she still struggling to control her strength?
No, sometimes she does it right, so maybe she really is just clumsy.
Still, as Primilla pointed out, she’s definitely improving compared to before.
◇
“Alright, could you shred all of this?”
“Leave it to me!”
“……”
“……”
Ripianem, assigned by Magirema, focused intently on shredding a cabbage.
It was flying.
Shredded cabbage flew everywhere, scattering onto the floor, where Magirema’s dogs eagerly devoured it.
“Nemu-chan, try imagining you’re mincing an enemy.”
“Hm… Like this?”
“Yes, yes! That’s much better!”
…Is that really okay?
Well, before this, she was cutting through the cutting board and kitchen counter altogether, so I suppose this is progress.
And unsurprisingly, anything that involves handling blades seems to suit her best.
Watching Ripianem slice through the cabbage as if she were cutting down enemies, I finally felt relieved that she had found a suitable workplace.
If this had continued, she might have ended up with some weird new persona like “Clumsy Ripianem”…
◆
Soul-Devouring Bracelet
A bottomless bracelet that constantly consumes power.
It quietly absorbs the wearer’s strength, but only those who endure its burden can gain greater experience.
The stored power continues to accumulate within the bracelet, and when its seal is released, it is said to enhance the wearer based on the amount of energy collected.
However, an immense amount of accumulated power is required, and fighting while wearing the bracelet is extremely difficult.
Because of this, only a handful of individuals have ever managed to unlock its seal.
