“As you might have guessed, our organization is an anti-social one. Anyone who leaks information about the organization or betrays it won’t just be killed.”
Iwagane, a member of the Spider Race, began speaking in a detached tone.
“Torture will continue until you go mad, and even your own people will lay their hands on you. There’s no escape… anywhere.”
“If you cooperate with me, of course, I’ll assign you bodyguards,” he added.
“Heh… Kiwi Alaya . The darkness of this magic city is deeper than you think.”
Iwagane gave a look as if he was appraising someone who didn’t know basic common sense, and exhaled in exasperation.
“Bodyguards are useless. Just like how my bodyguards couldn’t lay a hand on your subordinates just now.”
“Do you have any idea who the assassins sent to capture you might be?”
“Yeah. Our organization has its own group. The strongest of the eight demons from the underworld of this magic city, Delmond, make up a group of assassins called the ‘Eight Great Hell Gatekeepers.'”
“Eight Great Hell Gatekeepers…?”
That’s quite a pompous name.
The Eight Great Hell Gates were probably a religious belief followed by some residents of the Demon Kingdom. I think the belief was that demons who committed evil in their lifetime had to pass through one of eight gates of suffering after death…
So, the “Eight Great Hell Gatekeepers” must be the guards protecting these gates.
“How dangerous are they?” I asked.
“I told you! They’re the strongest warriors in the underworld of this magic city!” Iwagane responded.
“How do they compare to Lord Agito?”
“Of course, it’s Agito—Lord Agito!” Iwagane glanced at Otokai for a moment, then corrected himself, seemingly acknowledging the public knowledge that Otokai was Agito’s daughter.
“Most of the Demon Kingdom’s executives are heroes from the public side of the Magic Kingdom’s unification war. Agito, who protected the Demon King with nothing but his fists, and Urklow , who unified the beastmen in the Western Forest… You can’t compare them to such extraordinary demons!”
“Hmm, I see. How do they compare to heroes or elves?”
“I-I don’t know about heroes, but… listen and be amazed.”
Iwagane took a deep breath.
“The top of the Eight Great Hell Gatekeepers, ‘Demon Spear Twinko,’ once stepped into the Western Elf Kingdom’s forest as part of his warrior training… and fought and survived against the elves alone.”
“…? Oh?”
“That long-lived monster race, where standing in front of them means death, he went and challenged them alone and came back!”
“Uh… I see.”
Well, that’s indeed impressive.
Normally, it would be difficult for a hundred demons to defeat a single elf. So for him to survive a one-on-one confrontation with an elf, there’s no doubt he’s a powerful individual.
But, due to recent experiences facing off against several elves, my reaction was rather lukewarm.
“Do you think I’m lying?! It’s the truth! I’ve seen the scars on his body! Those were clearly marks of holy magic… His skin was blackened in places, and the shape of the marks—”
“Ah, no, I don’t doubt it.”
I just thought it seemed far less dangerous than I had expected, so I was wondering how to handle it.
“Anyway, it’s not a problem. You should just stay at the lab and wait. I’ll make sure to assign the best bodyguards for you along with Mukomuu.”
Anyway, there’s no change in the plan. Whether the assassin group attacks or not, I have no intention of giving up Iwagane’s position or the research partner Mukomuu.
“Ah, um!”
At that moment, a high-pitched voice interrupted.
Raising a trembling hand was Mukomuu.
“Could you please allow my younger sister to join the lab as well…?”
“Your sister?”
“Y-yes. The organization knows that I have a sister…”
“I see. That must be worrisome. Iwagane said earlier that purges are carried out even on family members.”
That’s something I can’t overlook.
People approach research in various ways, but the concern that one’s family might be harmed is obviously an inefficient way to study. That’s a given.
“Of course, it’s fine. Let’s go pick her up. Since she’s your sister, I’ll introduce myself first.”
“Ah… y-yes. Thank you so much…”
Mukomuu’s face briefly twisted as if she wanted to say, “I made a mistake,” but well, that was probably just my imagination.
I’m just a human, after all. I wouldn’t harm any demon. Everyone knows that.
“Hey, Kiwi-chi.”
Leaving the safe room, we climbed the stairs. Otokai , walking next to me, nudged my side with her elbow.
Then, she whispered into my ear.
“Is the date over already?”
“…Ah.”
I had completely forgotten.
This was supposed to be part of an arranged date.
“I knew it. You really forgot. Lame.”
Otokai puffed her lips, saying so, but then quickly smirked wickedly.
“Well, it’s fine! It was fun causing a ruckus again!”
“Is that so?”
“Yeah. I got to know more about you and you about me. Mission accomplished.”
Otokai made a small circle with her index and thumb and winked.
“Well, I get it. It means it’s not time for marriage for you yet. I’ll make sure to tell your dad not to cause any waves.”
“Yeah… sorry about that. But it’s not that I don’t like you.”
“I know. I’m super cute. I’m totally likable, right?”
“U-um…”
When we stepped outside the building, Otokai gave me a bright smile and waved before walking off in the opposite direction.
“See ya, Kiwi-chi, Shes-chi! Let’s play again sometime!”
“Yeah, see you.”
“Yeah, tomorrow!”
“…Tomorrow?”
Wait, does she mean she’s coming to hang out again tomorrow???
“Well, let’s consider it done for now…”
Anyway, the arranged date seems to be over without incident.
“Now then.”
At any rate, I want to deal with these problems quickly.
I need to pass along some information to that anti-social organization and the Eight Great Hell Gatekeepers.
No turning back now.
