Grimoire x Reverse ~Reincarnated Demon Romance Tale~ Chapter 10

Chapter 10

Wendell Plateau [Exciting Encounter, with Hak.u.men Nine-Tails]

“Uooooooooooooooooh!!” (Shuten)

This is the best! I’m touched right now!!

I could hardly suppress my excitement from exploding! I was seriously being overcome by my emotions and about to cry!!

After finis.h.i.+ng my errands in the Alfan Mountains, I quickly exited the bridge and had finally returned to the entrance. If it’s this place, I probably won’t get another chance like this. Therefore, to relieve this explosive tension I have endured patiently, I will release this emotion here! With the Demon Slayer, I raised both hands and shouted.

People, be inspired by his cry from the heart!

“Why? …Because I encountered the original protagonist!” (Shuten) (TL: haha, who wouldn’t want to meet a character from their favorite game?)

I had come across a scene from the game I played. Even if it’s a favorite work, it could be said that I had become uselessly excited by this.

“Is it the first time they are infiltrating the Alfan Ranges, with only Rudius and Haruna as companions? Well, they’re still in the process of visiting the four countries where all the companions are gathered. Then will Justa and Grendel join soon? My heart is pounding.” (Shuten)

However, I did not have the leeway to stalk them. There is no doubt that they will meet up with the main character, Crane, but from this point onward to the final dungeon they must become stronger.

According to the words of the G.o.ddess, I am at the same level as the enemies of the last dungeon. Yet, although my level has risen from incorporating one of the Pearl Pieces, I am still low-leveled and on the same rank as that dungeon’s small fry. If I do not become strong, then even in an emergency I would be unable to respond. As a demon I was even suppressed by that magician like an object. (ただでさえ魔族というだけで弾圧される対象なのだ。) In order to live alone, I must become even stronger.

Besides that, the Pearl Pieces themselves are also an issue. I gave one to Flair Reel and one is in my body, but there are still 13 pieces scattered across the world. So if the worst occurs and the story of Grimoire Lancer II breaks down, then it might become a world of despair dominated by the Devil King.

…For a moment, I wondered if it might be more convenient for me underneath the Devil King, but no, I would still be a subject of oppression. If I am satisfied with the way my body is now, then I might as well give up now. (俺でも五体満足でいられるか分からんし、今は断念だ。)

“Well, this was exciting, but shouldn’t I be heading out soon?” (Shuten)

Originally I went to the Alfan Ranges to meet the heroes and to acquire the Geta I’m now wearing. And there was another reason to bother traveling across the ocean to get to the third continent.

“Is the reaction from the Pearl Piece further West?” (Shuten)

Instinctively my brain detects it further west than the Alfan Mountains. This is from the Pearl Piece sensor the G.o.ddess gave me.

“I mean, any further and I’ll be entering the Empire. Obviously, as a demon I will be crossing the border without permission?”

I also seem to remember a town where demons live somewhere around the fifth continent… That’s clearly the way to go then. Accordingly, that also means that the monsters who wander around should be strong.

*Pyon, Pyon* While jumping from tree to tree I headed West.

On the border between the Empire and the Duchy there was surely that dense forest “Hana Flower Forest.” (TL: Or “Hana Hana” which means “flower, flower” so I just mixed both worlds here)

“Towards Hana Flower Forest; for some reason the Plateau Dungeon (平面ダンジョン) tends to be underground. When going through for the first time you are certain to get lost if you don’t follow Justa who will become a friend later…how nostalgic.” (Shuten)

Crane is from the Professor Country, Rudius is the prince from the Kingdom, Haruna is an adventurer from the Princ.i.p.ality, the narcissist Justa is from the former Republic, and Grendel is an imperial magic librarian.

Unlike the first game where there are five people from the beginning, Grimoire Lancer II allowed the pleasure of bringing the group together. The last companion Grendel is a magic librarian. I got excited at the time when I remembered that, like the first hero, he was also a strong Imperial magic librarian. Well, the first hero was the strongest among the magic librarians, while Grendel was the weaker magic librarian at the 10th seat…

By the way, the main reason why the Republic was absorbed by the Empire in two years was because each country sent their best warriors, and there was a setting that only the Empire had resources remaining. Just below the first hero, in the Empire there are still nine people with a certain degree of ability, while in the Republic the only warrior was the mutated Halberdia.

Well, the empire was stronger.

While thinking of such a thing as I leapt westward, by the time I noticed the sun was setting and it was getting dark. Although my night vision is sharp, clumsiness is another matter.

“…Well, I should rest here since I still have much further West to go.”

Around here there should certainly be a place called Wendell Plateau.

There is the memory of some cabbage growing around in certain places, but I’ll leave it at is for now. (ところどころにキャベツが育っていたような記憶もあるが、それは今はおいておくとして。)

After returning to the port city from the Alfan Ranges, the main character Crane was supposed to travel this road. While considering this as I walked, the trees became shorter and shorter, almost like flowers.

By the way, I feel like a boss appeared here, but what was it again?

“It’s not a plant-type boss, what was it that comes out here?” (Shuten)

Leisurely walking as I jogged my memory a boulder was sitting in front of me. I concluded there was no choice but to interfere, as this was blocking the pa.s.sage.

If it’s the me now I will break the rock with a single kick, so grandly I jumped up and kicked. The rock crumbled. At that moment, the evening light reflected dazzlingly on the high plateau.

An intense magical presence dispersed into the surroundings, and instantly my brain filled in the missing pieces of the puzzle, realizing what I have done…

“Ah.” (Shuten)

My voice leaked out.

I remembered. This is an event flag. Rudius would break the rock, and what will emerge is…Hak.u.men Nine-tails! A beast with waves of silver fur!

Even in the original game, it is the middle boss that is treated as traumatic by everyone…Can you beat me now…!?

Trying to pull out the big axe from my back while I click my tongue at my blunder –

“Eh, cho, Kyaaaaaaaaah!!”

“…Eh?”

In the place where the light stopped.

A woman who is the same as me had fallen down.

In the nude.

The sound of crackling sparks that burst from a comfortable campfire.

While listening to it, I was working on skewering the monster pieces that I harvested. Even at night, I can occasionally hear other sounds from birds and monster deer. Balancing the meat to roast in the fire, I glance in front of me. A tail of bushy silver fur that seems soft to the touch comes into sight. It’s a fox’s tail. And nine of them, fluffy, right in front of my eyes. The tail that is in front of me is completely turned away. The body as well.

Silver hair neatly cut short, two white pointed ears, and s.h.i.+ning black almond eyes. Unlike our first encounter, she has clothes on properly. It was a beautiful robe.

Huh.

How did this happen?

I pulled out a piece of meat that had roasted nicely, and went around to present it in front of her.

“I was wrong. I’m sorry! So, well, please listen to me for a while~ Na? Na?” (Shuten)

“…” (Nine-tails)

Anyway, there is no other island for her to cling to. (つーん、とばかりにとりつく島もない彼女。)

“No, you see, if such a big rock is in the middle of a pa.s.sage, it’s normal to break it? It’s an annoyance to go the long way around. See, the conditions were all set up.” (Shuten)

“…There’s something wrong with people who come in the middle of the night.” (Nine-tails)

“No, that’s not it! I never thought that there was sealed soul sleeping there!” (Shuten)

With that explained.

…In short, while sealed in the rock she was sleeping at night, and so was in an unsuspecting state that had nothing to do with magical power. So in that brief moment she could not turn into her fox form, and so was thrown out in her most vulnerable state. By the way, the clothes she is wearing right now seems to be made by herself with magic. She who can use magic is useful.

There was no mistake that she was the silver Nine-tailed fox that I knew. Known in the Empire country as a villainess. I thought that the country would surely be more lenient if they knew of her beauty, but that’s it. (これだけの美貌なら確かに国も傾くだろうなとは思ったが、それはそれ。)

In the games I only knew about her in the form of a fox. It was during the daytime that Rudius broke the rock to start the game event.

“Ho, since you’ve been sealed does that mean you’re starving? If you don’t mind me asking (良ければどーぞ).” (Shuten)

“…” (Nine-tails)

No, of course not.

To the enemy that the heroes fought so desperately against the mood seemed to have changed for the worst, but I’d rather resolve the situation without fighting. (主人公たちが必死こいて倒すような敵と、戦うでもなく機嫌直しに奔走することになろうとは。) But no, I was wrong.

She took the skewer silently, then again turned her back to me.

Well, at least she received it?

Returning to my work from my seat on the stump, I gazed into the fire. Although I had originally planned to camp out, I wonder if it was supposed to end up like this.

“Hey you.” (Nine-tails)

“What’s the matter?” (Shuten)

As usual she did not look at me, but I reacted to the miserable words and raised my head.

“Right now, what year is it?” (Nine-tails)

“I don’t know exactly, but…I feel like it’s in the 1200s.” (Shuten)

“…so.” (Nine-tails)

The villainess of the Empire had been sealed. Silver Nine Tails. If it is the same Silver Nine-tails I know, how long has she been alive? In addition, how long was she sealed?

“One hundred years…?…” (Nine-tails)

The answer came from her own mouth. A hundred years. It’s a mind-boggling amount of time. (気の遠くなりそうな時間だ)

Perhaps it was the length of time she was sealed.

“Anyway, as for being in the middle of the plateau” (Shuten)

“I was sealed at the top of the Alfan ranges, only it fell and rolled down here. Although it would have been better timing if it had cracked then…Since I do not intend to talk, will you not shut up?” (Nine-tails)

“Uissu” (うぃっすseems to be sfx for some kind of muttered complaint)

I wonder why you are even talking to me.

Well, there is a part of me that feels some sympathy. Being sealed for a hundred years would drive me crazy. Meanwhile, my mouth moved as I talked unconsciously.

“How rude! (しっかしなー。) The Empire absorbed the Republic, so now it is in conflict with the three countries’ alliance.” (Shuten)

A flickering glance.

“The Devil King who was defeated ten years ago recently revived.” (Shuten)

Another flickering glance.

“Come to think of it –” (Shuten)

“Be quiet.” (Nine-tails)

“Uissu” (sfx for some kind of soft complaint)

I mean, why are you still with me? *Nugigi* (ぬぎぎ sfx for rustling)

Well, my reason is because I saw the girl naked, and in order to make it up to her I offered food in her homeless state.

“…”

She looked up at the sky in a daze. Occasionally her fox ears twitched which I thought was cute, but I don’t know exactly what she is thinking.

However…I cannot think that a girl like this is bad. And certainly her style is also good and lovely. I think she’s cute and beautiful. My impression from her fragile and lonely air did not connect to the t.i.tle of villainess who angered the Empire.

“…It is convenient for me though.” (Nine-tails)

“Hmm~?” (Shuten)

“My attraction skill, is it not effective?” (Nine-tails)

“E, did you use such a thing?” (Shuten)

“I’m not using it…No, nothing! You didn’t hear anything!” (Nine-tails)

“Ah so. By the way, what kind of effect is it? It might be working slightly.” (Shuten)

“Being unable to think of anything other than myself, and wanting to attack me even now.” (Nine-tails)

She told me such a thing. And, is looking over here rather seriously.

*Pfft* (sfx for light laugh)

“Hahaha, there’s an excessively self-conscious woman here!” (Shuten)

“Are you kidding me!?” (Nine-tails)

“…Well, I understand that the skill seems to be a struggle.” (Shuten)

“Well, then it really isn’t working then.” (Nine-tails)

Having shrugged her shoulders and answered, she turned away with a sigh. I prefer this good girl to the G.o.ddess, so kidding around with her is a natural temptation for a guy like me. No, I guess it was bad to tease her.

Yeah, my conscience was being a little unreasonable. It is true I saw her naked.

“In order to kill…It might be quicker to reduce the surrounding area to ash in order to kill this person if we were to battle. Haah, why is it like this?” (Nine-tails) (TL: this dialogue here gave me some trouble, but it seems like she is considering a “scorched earth” policy in order to get rid of Shuten)

“Hey, isn’t it good that you were able to get out?” (Shuten)

“Well, I will thank you honestly for breaking the seal.” (Nine-tails)

“Hey can’t you just write off previous rudeness then?!” (Shuten)

“Someone like you wouldn’t want to apologize for nothing right?” (Nine-tails)

“Haven’t I already apologized sincerely?” (Shuten)

“I have decided not to forgive you until you stop this joking att.i.tude.” (Nine-tails)

With her closed eyes her eyelashes are long, but I think that kind of interest seems to be different from being charmed.

“Forget it.” (Nine-tails)

And with a wave of her hand, the conversation ended immediately.

It’s useless even if you rub your hands together. (手揉みしてもだめか。TL: like in a prayer I guess, so even if you were to pray it wouldn’t change things.)

“…Even so, a powerful demon like you is in such a place. Moreover, with such a personality, you are very different from the demons I know of.” (Nine-tails)

“Well, I’m sorry I have such a terrible personality. Besides that, various things have come up and I’m on a journey.” (Shuten)

“Haah.” (Nine-tails sighed)

“Oh, are you interested?” (Shuten)

“I think you are also broken.” (Nine-tails) (「欠片もね」)

“Dang it!” (Shuten)

Despite being told to shut up, somehow our conversation continued. It’s not like I will forsake someone even if they are stiff.  I guess that’s all. (何なんだろうな。) Somehow, it is also undeniable that there is a part of me enjoying the conversation I have not had for a long time.

Perhaps, it is the same for the person in front of me as well. Perhaps, because of the charm and seal, after a long time she can have a decent conversation, though there may be other circ.u.mstances beyond that.

“I get it… the charm skill was activated unconsciously, and so you who was a beauty soon became known as a courtesan.” (Shuten)

“Aah, what?! To think even after 100 years this information would be pa.s.sed down in such a way.” (Nine-tails)

“It is merely gossip.” (Shuten)

Even at my joke she showed a glum expression on her face. Well, it’s natural. This misunderstanding had remained and been handed down, and I think it may hit a little too close to home. Would it have been better to have kept silent about it? I wouldn’t have minded but…well, I will know soon enough.

“…Then I will go from here. Thank for going out of your way to take care of the rock.” (Nine-tails)

Rising from the rock fragments, she turned towards me.

“Hmm? Where are you going this late at night?” (Shuten)

“The Empire. Just wait here while I look a little bit.”

“I don’t know what you are doing, but are you strong against the Asuko demon?” (Shuten)

“…I don’t know about such a thing.” (Nine-tails)

In her dark eyes dwelt a hard anger for someone. Probably someone in the empire. Even if I tell her the Imperial family may be better now than her first encounter, she seems to have no intention to change.

But I’m not sure under what circ.u.mstances she was sealed…

“Hey, when you asked me what effect the charm skill gave because ‘it might be slightly working’ what did you mean?” (Nine-tails)

“Ah? It’s interesting. It’s the kind of thing where I think of such things as cute or beautiful or whatever, isn’t that a kind of effect?” (Shuten)

“That’s because I am genuinely cute.” (Nine-tails)

“You just wanted to say that.” (Shuten)

“How is it like that?…Good-bye.” (Nine-tails)

In the end with a light s.h.i.+ning on her almond eyes, she walked towards Hana Flower Forest.

“…I won’t be remaining here then.” (Shuten)

While biting into the roasted meat, I had no choice but to mutter as such.