Published at 29th of August 2021 02:01:13 PM

393 Deferment of Deadline

As I look at Luons status in a daze, her father, Modi, walks up to me anxiously.

W-whats the matter? Is there something about my daughter?

My reply gets stuck in my throat and I bite my lip. I dont know what to say.

U, uu

It is Mirias moan that breaks the silence. Ah! Shes returning to consciousness faster than I expected. I bow my head to Modi, then urge Volk, Aro, and the nightmare with my eyes.

Sorry, but we dont have enough time, so well be leaving now. Thanks for all youve done for Miri-for that girl. Thank you.

I one-sidedly announce our departure, and head for the exit. After a moments delay, Volk, Aro, and the nightmare follow me.

Wh-where am I?

I hear Mirias voice.

ah, youve woken up. Youerr, suddenly collapsed in the middle of the street. That person helped you up and brought you to my house.

Modi directs his words to Miria, but his voice steps up in volume part way through. Hes probably telling me that I should at least let her see my face.

I-Is that so? Im a little confused I remember talking to someone from the royal castle, but Thank you for looking after me. Umm, Id like to thank those people too

I dont want to stop. However, as I put my hand on the door, I glance back against my better judgement. My eyes meet Mirias. Her pupils widen slightly.

Umm, have we met before somewhere?

I say nothing in reply, and exit Modis former apothecary.

I think as I walk down the royal capitals street. Im already nearly out of magic power thanks to humanising. If Im going to return, I should be leaving now.

The agreement with Lilixira was that, three days after we parted, in other words tomorrow, I am to rampage in the castle and expose the princesss true identity. However, the Demon Lord is much stronger than we expected. The royal castle has become the slimes stronghold. The Three Knights who are holding leadership roles are probably all B+ rank From a humans perspective, theyre all monsters that could each be called a catastrophe on their own.

Its doubtful whether well be able to fight them with just me, Aro and the others, and Lilixira and her familiars. To put it bluntly, Lilixira was naive in her outlook. I need to somehow get in contact with her and take some time to prepare our war potential.

Aro is the same B+ rank as Thermal She also has a skill to nullify status conditions skill. As long as she can raise her level enough in time, she should be able to fight the [Poison Ruler].

I also need to get Lilixira to understand that its no longer at a point where she can be concerned about appearances. If she could bring soldiers from the Holy Kingdom, the advantage of the huge numbers of slimes in the castle should disappear. Once that happens, me and Lilixira can deal with the slime that is the biggest problem.

Probably, in this battle Even if things go that well, we only have an fifty percent chance of winning. At the time that slime fought me as a B- rank, it was just a D rank. Now, even at the lowest possible estimate, its above B+.

The later we are in acting, the more the slimes victims will grow. Countless adventurers will die and more tragic victims like Luon will be created. However If we rush, we cant win. I would like nothing more than to go to the castle right now and tear it apart, but Ive used up all my magic power by walking around the city, so I probably couldnt even kill the Three Knights, let alone win a rematch with that slime. That is the reality.

I need time to prepare. Tomorrow would be too soon. Only once weve fully prepared can we drive the Demon Lord into a corner. That is the only viable option.

Once Lilixira hears my information, shell definitely change her judgement. There shouldnt be a need to force her.

Having decided my path, I nod to myself But then suddenly, I feel a bad premonition. Theres something Ive overlooked. Thats the feeling Im getting. What am I missing?

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Volk, when is the princesss party?

I ask Volk spontaneously. I feel like the princesss party has something to do with whatever it is Ive overlooked.

Its tomorrow though Do you plan on stopping it? I understand the danger from that man from earlier. However, for me, thats perfect. If theyre planning on preying on me, then Ill just prey on them. Most of all The legendary Master Fencer Ive been searching for might appear

Tomorrow huh.

Probably, all the adventurers present there will be killed.

Could I persuade you to not go? Were you to lend a hand I imagine you could just about fight one of the Three Knights. To put it bluntly, the Demon Lord is far more powerful than I expected. I want to take more time to prepare.

Volks stats are a match for B+ ranks. Because of his straightforward fighting style, he might be weak to opponents who fight in a more underhanded style, but should still possible for him to put up a good fight.

Sorry, but I cant accept that. No matter what they intend, they are opponents who have valued my swordsmanship highly and are challenging me. In addition, when the enemy is troubling an entire country and committing heinous deeds, my conviction wont allow me to flee.

Knowing theyre all going to die, can I abandon the slimes victims tomorrow? Am I really okay with that?

If youre worried, do you want to come? Each guest is allowed one attendant. If its you then When the Demon Lord shows up to the party, you might be able to break their neck before they put their guard up.

An attendant is allowed? I thought for sure theyd only allow the invited person so the disturbance of their disappearance would be minimised, but No, is it the opposite? Do they want to erase whoever is closest to the target so that they dont get more persistent nuisances like Luon?

After getting lost in thought a bit, I shake my head.

Against the slime I know, a surprise attack like that wont work. Its cowardly, after all. Besides, it probably has way too many regeneration skills for a single surprise attack to mean much.

Imgoing back to the Great Alban Mine. Tomorrow, I wont be coming here.

I see. Then, today might be our last. Ill go get the steel horses. You should ride them back.

Volk says, then turns his back to me. I stare at him as he walks away.