Vol 3 Chapter 9 (2/2)

“Haha, this is the first time I’ve had someone give me a request for their own Wanted sign. So then, next time I see you I will properly add the big axe…A big axe, is it?” (Crane)

Crane who was laughing heartily suddenly stopped as if he thought of something. I don’t know exactly what kind of chord I struck, but he really does have a blank look right now.

“What’s wrong?” (Shuten)

When I next made eye contact with him, he gave me a serious look.

“Why are you using an axe?” (Crane)

“Oh, you mean the Demon Slayer? I guess because it’s fun??? It is also heavier and stronger than a sword or spear. I think that is the best way to fight against any opponent except for those that are ridiculously speedy. It’s really cool seeing enemies being blown away.” (Shuten)

“Thinking it’s cool…blowing away the enemy.” (Crane)

“I don’t really understand what you are thinking about, are you alright?” (Shuten)

“Oh, not thank you very much! I should return soon! Ah, that’s

Ah, that’s right!” (Crane)

“Hmm?” (Shuten)

It is now evening. He probably needs to return to his comrades.After lowering his head once more, he turned around and took a step back towards the downtown area…but as if remembering something he looked at me once more.

“You are Shuten, right?” (Crane)

“Yep, and you are Crane. Next time I’ll trouble you to draw a portrait of me.” (Shuten)

“Yes!” (Crane)

With a dazzling smile, Crane ran back towards the main street.

The sound of his footsteps faded and disappeared after a short time…and then I sighed.

“Fuu…it is Crane after all.” (Shuten)

I was suddenly lost in thought.

Bright, friendly, and courteous, he was someone who was well-liked by everyone. Because he is such a conscientious person, he might even be able to fight against the rising discrimination and contention between Demons and humans. Up to this point in time he could firmly face anyone if he knew the opponent was evil.

In a sense, he was perfect young man.

“Well, what should I do now?” (Shuten)

Where did Hiragi go? I don’t think she got kidnapped again, but she could have easily been lost in the crowd. I don’t even know where I am.

I wish we had decided on a meeting place.

I started walking in the opposite direction from where Crane went.

“As I thought, after all a person’s life is made up of their experiences over a long period of time.” (Shuten)

Because I was being pursued in the Imperial City Mermila I had to trespa.s.s quietly in the middle of the night, and was truly a dark memory for a young person only around 20 years old.[3]

In my previous life, I had gone shopping and the like with my friends, but that was a long time ago. Ever since I became an Oni, I have never been inside a human settlement.

“Well, I had no interest in what humans did until I recovered my memories of my previous life.” (Shuten)

In any case, I was at the edge of the residential area. In the residential area the road runs beautifully in a grid, so I was able to have a leisurely walk.

Then.

“Hmm?” (Shuten)

“……”

As I continued down the street, I found a person who had fallen down in the middle of the road.

Is it a child, because she is rather pet.i.te? While wondering about her, I moved my Demon Slayer aside and crouched.

“Hey, are you alive?” (Shuten)

“Ugh…”

She was moaning.

Is this child alright? Even if I tap her cheeks, there wasn’t much of a reaction.

What should I do? Would it be better to take it to the room at the inn I’m staying at with Hiragi? However, I feel like there’s something familiar about it…orange hair?

“It couldn’t be…?” (Shuten)

I stood up and crossed my arms over my chest, while looking up at the sky with a thoughtful expression.

“Isn’t it a bit rude…?” (Shuten)

Then, I attempted to turn the child over onto her back as she was lying face-down, but at that time.

“I came after hearing the report about a collapsed girl, but to think I’d find some pervert straddling her.”

“Heeeh! But I haven’t even done anything yet!” (Shuten)

“Yet…!?”

I hurry and step back from the little girl in a panic. Hey now, this person totally twisted my words so I sounded like a criminal!

…Hmm? I feel like I’ve heard

like I’ve heard this voice before.

Picking up the Demon Slayer from where I put it down, I looked towards the speaker.

It was a young man who was approaching from the other end of the back alley.

A naginata was over his shoulder and a monocle was attached to his s.h.i.+rt, but his eyes almost seemed like they would burn a hole through me. Ah, he really does seem like a young n.o.ble[4].

“Yo, as usual you spare no effort for your cla.s.sy style.” (Shuten)

“If you still think that you can spew such sarcastic words while giving off the disgusting odor of a criminal, then you really are a very dumb $%^$% demon who can only play around.” (Desiree)

“Haha…Today is the day you die.” (Shuten)

“The way this thing talks…” (Desiree)

I gripped the Demon Slayer.

We stood in the enclosed narrow alley.

The monocle-baldy in front of me also began to pour a large amount of magical power into his Naginata.

Is he preparing to kill?

“…”

“……”

“………”

But the silence continued. What exactly is going on.

Even though there is a little girl collapsed between us. It seems that idiot Desiree is truly a heartless man.

“Hey…you #$%#%^ demon.” (Desiree)

“Oh?” (Shuten)

“…I really want to kill you, so much that I can’t stand it.” (Desiree)

“What a coincidence, me too.” (Shuten)

“…but what do you think about this time and place?” (Desiree)

Desiree motioned towards the fallen girl with his gaze.

“..I think that the magical librarians of the Imperial Academy are truly heartless.” (Shuten)

“Just listening… makes me want to see its blood. Even so I’m somewhat hesitant. In this situation, what is the obvious next event?” (Desiree)

“A festival of blood.” (Shuten)

“True. A blood festival. Where we kill each other in front of a little girl. Just pleasantly murdering each other in front of a child…Hey, #$%#%^ demon.” (Desiree)

“What is it?” (Shuten)

“Just leave. If you don’t go right now, I will lose control of my hatred and try to to kill you.” (Desiree)

“You are even willing to use a small child as an excuse!!” (Shuten)

“Those are exactly the words I want to say to a shameless thing like you!!” (Desiree)

…Indeed. I did say it earlier.

…Well, hey. Until next time Desiree

Holding the Demon Slayer, I turned around…and had a sudden thought.

“…Yo, Monocle-baldy, I thought that you never negotiated with demons.” (Shuten)

This guy who hated demons had said before that he would never negotiate with demons.

Then, Desiree who seemed surprised at my words for a moment, he snorted through his nose is amus.e.m.e.nt before looking down. What was it?

“I will tell you the two things I hate.” (Desiree)

“Ah?” (Shuten)

“Demons, and then the demon Shuten is second. Oh, I guess a few of my colleagues are runner-ups.” (Desiree)

“That’s more than two.” (Shuten)

Haa, I breathed out a long sigh.

Oh, that’s right.

I suppose if I had off the issue of what to do with that girl to Desiree, I can go back to searching for Hiragi?

So, leaving the two behind, I jumped.

Translator Notes

魔法少女☆ラジカルなのちゃん If you can think of a better name, let me know. This is just Shuten being lost in his delusions again,

The infamous anime sweatdrop that basically means “is this person for real?” and is generally used in comedy/gag series

帝都やマーミラでは、慌てていたか、夜中にひっそり侵入するしかなかったわけだから、本当に二十数年振りに人々の中に身を置くことになる。

若 or “waka” here which could also mean “Young master”

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