Vol 3 Chapter 9 (1/2)

Chapter 9

Volume 3 Chapter 9

Tunto III [Caught Red-handed Kidnapping a Little Girl]

{Shuten POV}

~~Uwa~ I am running late!

While turning around a corner, two people ran into each other.

Yes, the encounter began here. A little sweet, and a little sour taste of affection.

The Super-popular romantic comedy of Professor Shuten and “Magical Girl☆Radical-chan!”[1]

The story of a demon and the young magician starts here!~~

…What am I even saying.

This is Shuten here on the scene.

Since I entered the city with Hiragi, I was wanting to peek into a tavern, but got lost in the back streets. While walking around I happened to turn the corner and crashed into a young man running at full speed.

I wasn’t hurt at all, but somehow everything he was holding scattered all over the ground. Holding his nose in pain, I bent down and helped him pick up the papers since I wasn’t in any hurry, but the drawing on the papers was remarkable, especially since it was the spitting image of myself.

What an amazing rendition. I hadn’t thought that Desiree would have a talent for art even if it was a hobby, and after finding out that the boy in front of me had drawn it I really wanted to ask if he would draw something for me. While wondering if he was a professional artist that was paid in gold by the thousands, I raised my head and saw a familiar face.

It seems to be the same person I had seen in once before, though his nervousness had  settled down quite a bit. Looking carefully, it is the original protagonist, Crane.

“…you are that Demon…!?” (Crane)

Now then.

What is the matter with this situation?

Looking at his pale face, it is obvious that he remembers the last time I got involved. I honestly just want to hide right now.

But, what are my current choices?

One. Act friendly as if this were the first time we met

Two. Completely release my aura and intimidate him like I did before.

Three. Attack.

Four. Invite to the bar and explain things over drinks.

Five. Tell him that I am his long lost brother.

Well, there are two options that can be rejected immediately.

That’s right, two and three.

There is not one merit for doing two here. I mean, the flyer is already proof that Monocle-Baldy Desiree is here. Even though this was my first time in the city, I was even a Wanted man in the Professor Country. It might be a good idea to surrender, but it would be bad to make unnecessary commotion.

The third option is rejected simply because of my own emotional reasons. This was a random encounter, and was also a one-on-one. I’ve become a lot stronger, and probably won’t be annihilated but this was the original protagonist we’re talking about. I would like to get to know him better though. He is the true hero after all.

The remaining options are one, four, and five.

Honestly, one of these can be rejected as well. The fourth option is somewhat deceptive. If we go to a bar, the chances of encountering another one are likely to increase. I certainly didn’t want things to get more complicated.

…Is there really only one option left?

I turned around to Crane, who had immediately stiffened in front of me and slowly began to reach for the stick on his back. I tried

to tell it to him with a serious expression.

“I am actually your older brother.” (Shuten)

“What!?” (Crane)

……

“That was a lie.” (Shuten)

“Well, we are not even of the same race…” (Crane)

“Actually, I am your younger brother, Onii-chan!” (Shuten)

“What!?” (Crane)

“That was a lie.” (Shutten)

“What are you trying to say!?” (Crane)

“No, no, when I saw you appear right in front of me, I suddenly became a bit lonely when I saw there was no friendliness on your face.” (Shuten)

“Oh, well…that’s right…but…” (Crane)

Crane’s eyes were flickering back and forth in confusion.

We were in the back of the alley, under a narrow sky. If we fought in such a place and did not bother a private house resident, it would be a miracle.

Besides, I had no hostility towards him. Looking at the s.h.i.+vering boy with light brown hair in front of me, it seemed that he also held no animosity.

“Um…I met you once in the Alfan Ranges…aren’t you a demon?” (Crane)

“Just so you know, I hold no hostility.” (Shuten)

“I feel like your character is just too different from what I thought…” (Crane)

“It’s because it’s you I’m talking to? Yeah, something like that.” (Shuten)

“I-is that so?” (Crane)

Somehow, I can almost see the cartoonish sweatdrop[2] on his forehead, but at the very least he doesn’t seem to have any intention of fighting me as he released his grip from the staff on his back.

Glancing at his hand as if remembering something, he bowed his head to me.

“For giving us a key to the Underground Empire…Thank you very much.” (Crane)

“Oh, that’s just because I have no use for it.” (Shuten)

“Then why give it to us?” (Crane)

“Hmm” (Shuten)

What should I say? I guess there isn’t any particular reason to hide it. I thought for awhile, but I couldn’t think of a better excuse.

“Well, that’s because you are the Kamiko of Light and are trying to kill the Demon King.” (Shuten)”

“Um…how do you know that?” (Crane)

“Secret information network?” (Shuten)

It was not a lie because I had learned it from the original game, which was a secret.

“Is that so.” (Crane)

I felt a little bit guilty though for not being wholly honest.

With a thoughtful look, Crane took out two keys from his pocket, red and orange. Both are important items needed to enter the underground empire.

“…Aren’t you an enemy?” (Crane)

“I’m not planning on joining the Demon King’s Army…” (Shuten)

“Is that so. I seem to have misunderstood.” (Crane)

“Hmm?” (Shuten)

Squeezing them once in his hand, Crane put the keys back in his pocket.

With a firm gaze he made eye contact with me.

I felt a like something inside me was quivering from the gaze, but I’ll be okay.

“When we first met, I could only see a strong monster. Even in the Empire I know that you had attacked the Imperial Academy. I was totally convinced that we were enemies…Forgive me for making such a.s.sumptions.” (Crane)

“Oh, it’s fine, was it Monocle-baldy who told you about that?” (Shuten)

“Monocle-baldy?!” (Crane)

“There is a good reason why I am being chased by him, and I also plan to kill him if we end up in battle. However, I only have interest in conflicts between individuals and not the conflict between mankind and demons.” (Shuten)

“So Desiree is a monocle-baldy…ah, really…is that

that how it was?” (Crane)

“This is a well-drawn portrait, could I pay you to draw one for me?” (Shuten)

“Oh, haha…” (Crane)

With a bitter laugh, Crane held his head in his hands.

Although it made him look as if he was slightly bowing, the innocent embarra.s.sment from being praised was obvious no matter what angle you looked at him. Come to think of it, his father —

“Oh, really, thank you. It seems I have really misunderstood…I will no longer say thank you for giving me the key, as I can only apologize.” (Crane)

“I don’t mind, I don’t mind. I am just doing whatever I want, but…I wonder if I am troubling you?” (Shuten)

“No, no such thing!” (Crane)

He was very stiff. It seems as if he has become very considerate in a strange way, and is a bit uncomfortable.

I’m actually concerned that I have interfered with Crane’s adventure, and it is an unexpected development that both Desiree and Crane are in this town, and that I already encountered one.

I am a little worried about the b.u.t.terfly effect, but at least for now it seems like things are moving alright.

“I’m sorry, can I trouble you for one thing?” (Crance)

“Hmm?” (Shuten)

“Did you see a little girl around 12 years old with orange hair around here?” (Crane)

“…No, I haven’t.”

This was obviously describing Justa. But I hadn’t seen her.

Justa will surely become a member once they reach the capital Eden, and should not have been caught in Tunto…but I was worried? I felt relief that Justa’s event was going smoothly. Aside from Grendel, the original party seemed to be gathering and even seemed more tightly knit.

“Where did she go…I understand, thank you.” (Crane)

“Uwa, it must be tough to distribute flyers.” (Shuten)

“No, this is…I don’t know what to do with these any more. Since I feel like it is a little bit too unfair, I think I might stop handing these out.” (Crane)

“Is that so? Since you drew me so well I feel like it is a precious thing though. Ah, but next time I’d like you to include this landmark of mine.” (Shuten)

While I said such thing pointing to the Demon Slayer on my back, it seemed to shock Crane for a moment. Then he burst out laughing as if he couldn’t hold it in.