48 Demon and hero (1/2)

Zarxys, the god of death.

How's it going, Atranaqua?

In the darkness of the night, he speaks to the one beside him.

It is a woman there. If only in appearance, she is an ordinary human being.

The figure is beautiful, if not immortal, and one or two human men will be able to captivate her.

'Yes, my servant is here to answer the brave men of light. They will be drunk with wine and women by now.

Well, I don't suppose they know who you are.

'We met face to face, but apparently he didn't realize who I was. Rather, he seemed to be admiring my good looks.

'Kukku, yeah, yeah, I'm sure the brave men will be surprised to see who you really are.

'I don't like it, Zarxys. This is my true form as well. That little wench, that Nao, didn't see the other side of me, either.

I can feel a little bit of anger in Atranaqua's words.

I guess he doesn't like being told about his other form.

Atranaqua, like a werewolf, has another form apart from its human form. The sight of that form, which even he hates himself, will make the men come back to themselves in their horror.

Atranakua is a god subordinate to this Zarxys.

And Atranacua is specialized in hiding. Even those with the greatest perceptive ability would not be aware that they are a god race.

'I'm sure you're right, I'm sorry ...... Atranaqua.

No, I don't mind. You can take away the important person from that poor, miserable Raina. I wouldn't give a d*mn about such nonsense.

I can sense from his tone that he absolutely cares. That's how much Atranaqua hates the other one.

And she hates Raina. Perhaps she is jealous of that beauty.

'I see. ....... Then let's proceed.'

''Hmm, we've succeeded in luring the brave men of Lena to this land. Now we just need to lure them into the labyrinth.

I nodded at Atranaqua's words.

First of all, we will create a great commotion in this area to lure the brave men of light. We have succeeded in doing that.

Next, we must lure them into the labyrinth of Lavrus.

'You've already taken steps, Atranaqua.

'Yes, Zarxys. It will take the tears of a woman to lure that brave man to you. That arrangement is already in place.

That's great.

'Yes, Zarxys. Let me show you the brave men a fine catch.

Then Atranaqua laughs.

Then he gets caught and laughs at himself.

'Kukuku, brave man of Raina. Come and bite me.'

Nephim the Water Hero

'Um, are you sure you're okay with this? Lady Water Hero.

It's nothing to worry about, Captain. It's not worth being afraid of, say, a merman.

Early in the morning on a ship going from the Republic of Ariadia to another country. The captain of the ship comes to me with a worried look.

You. Can't you trust Master Nephim?

Come on.

The girls, my traveling companions, are angry at the captain for not trusting my skills.

'Well, well, you two, I can see why Lord Captain is worried. Several ships have already been attacked by the ugly merman.

The race originally called the Marlowe is a race that is only found in the inland seas of Caird in the west.

This race is quite different in appearance between male and female.

The female Marlowe are called mermaids, and are beautiful human women with a beautiful upper body, and a beautiful fish with a beautiful lower body.

In contrast, the male Marlowe is called a merman and has an ugly appearance. He has a human body with a fish-like head, fins on his hands and feet, and his whole body is covered with scales.

I saw them many times when I was in the inland waters of Caird, and they were so ugly that they made me want to vomit just looking at them.

The merman and the mermaid are of the same species called Marlowe, but they do not get along with each other.

The Mermaid hates the ugly Marman. Marman hates the merman who is so ugly.

And the merman is an enemy race of humans.

Many human ships have been sunk by merman pirates in the inland seas of Caird.

Two ships have already been attacked here in Ariad Bay. The captain is right to be concerned.

''That's great, Nephim-sama.

It's a big deal.

They honor me.

They are my friends. There were actually three of them, but one of them has been impregnated with my child and is resting.

'Lord Captain. Rest assured, this water brave, Nephim, is with me. I have fought the merman many times in the past. They are not to be feared. And I have several other freedom fighters with me. What is there to be afraid of?

Haha, yeah.

The captain laughs, but he still looks uneasy.

Still, it must be a hard place to have to sail for business.

The ship is on its way.

The ship is rowed by goblin slaves on oars. They are rowed to the beat of a drum.

There are some boats in the inland sea of Caird, but this is the first time I have seen so many rowers.

The speed of the ship is fast, probably because there are so many rowers.

This might get me to my destination without running into Merman.

I'd be in trouble if that happened. I came here to fight Merman. I'm sorry for the captain, but I need you to attack this ship.

And apparently, I'm not going to get my wish.

”Sir, sir!

I'll call the captain as soon as I can.

'What is it, sir?　Lord Water Brave.

They're here!　Hurry up and get ready for battle, warriors, take up your weapons!

Saying that, I also take my own weapon, the trident spear.

''Eh, where is it?''

The freedom fighters leaned over the captain and crew to look at the sea.

'Fools!　Don't lean back!

I warn you, but it's too late, and the ship lurches wildly.

'Whoa!'

Ahhhh!

We're falling!

Some of the captain, sailors and freedom fighters fall into the sea.

'Coming!　The rest of you should be on your guard!

I scream myself and someone comes up on deck with a splash of water.

It's a merman, as expected. The number is 7.

In contrast, our number is 11.

Although they are outnumbered, the freedom fighters are unsteady on their feet because the ship is rocking.

The merman, on the other hand, is standing firmly on the deck.

The battle begins.

The freedom fighters fight back, but they are unable to move well because the ship is rocking, so they are struck down one by one.

'Ouch!　That's it!　That's why we can't rely on the land people!

He moves on the deck, and three marmen attack him with their swords, but he defends them with the hilt of his spear. I spear them when they are out of position.

''Nephim-sama!

A call for help. The girls are being attacked.

She hooks the hilt of her spear on the deck and flies away at once.

Then, he stabs the three mermen who are attacking them.

''Are you alright?!''

Yes, Master Nephim.

I'm fine.

The two reply cheerfully. It looks like they are safe.

You. Don't do it.

Suddenly, I hear a voice from behind me.

There's a merman.

Huh. He can't be late for a merman.

Saying this, he observes the merman in front of him.

That merman is bigger than the other merman. And he has scars all over his body.

”Hey, handsome man. You're holding a spear, you know. You're Triton?

Merman says, looking at the spear I hold.

'Yes, I am a Triton. I'm different from those on the land.'

Merman was right about me, I am a Triton.

The Tritons are a race of male ancestors born to the Sea King Triden-sama and the Mermaid Queen.

They are not different in appearance from humans, but they have the ability to act in the sea.

He is the knight and lover of the Mermaids.

And the mermen are our enemies. They attack the Mermaids to humiliate them.

We have fought to prevent them.

I used to fight the merman on the hippocampus of the sea horse Hippocampus when I was in the inland sea of Caird, and I used to fight the merman well.

'Well, then you'll be defeated by your own!

Merman pulls out the two curved swords at his waist. Then he composes himself.

Tough. That's how it felt.

Normally, I would use water magic here, but it's not very effective for Merman.

You can't use your magic power for nothing.

He holds his spear. The trident spear is the same weapon as that held by Master Triden, the Sea King.

I was born a Triton, and my father taught me how to use a spear.

I must have had a talent for it. I became much stronger than the other Tritons.

Then I became interested in land and traveled away from the sea.

I was skilled in water magic and spears, and eventually I became known as the Water Hero.

I fought against various strong enemies. As I honed my spear, I became even stronger.

What could I be afraid of that would make me as strong as a merman?

'Hmm, how could I lose to a barbarian like you?

Don't call your hands barbarians!

Merman bellowed.

'Then why don't you at least wear your underwear?　It's in front of the lady. Hide that unsightly thing!

Merman doesn't wear clothes, so the ugly things in his lower body are hanging around in full view.

How can a merman have something more magnificent than this me, you are a merman.

Once again, I feel the need to eliminate this vile race.

The merman attacks.

He pulls out his spear.

The merman catches it with his sword.

Merman tries to close the distance as he draws his spear at the right moment.

But I won't let him do that. I aim for his foot just as he steps in.

Merman, whose foot is targeted, quickly dodges it and steps back.

It's not a bad idea. You're a tough guy.

''Even though it looks like this, I fought all sorts of demons on land. How could I be defeated by you now?

Yeah, but you're not as good as your mother. But you're no match for your own body.

Merman holds his twin swords and takes a forward bending stance.

Is he going to ram it in? Then I'll skewer him.

This one also holds a spear.

It's time for Merman to throw one of his curved blades at you.

I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this.

”d*mn!

He quickly raises his spear and flicks the curved sword.

I look at my opponent. The merman lowers himself and is coming toward you at a furious pace just above the top of the deck. He probably moved at the same time he threw the curved sword.

''Of what!

He hurriedly re-positioned his spear and thrust it out towards his opponent.

However, Merman spins his body and ducks the spear. The spear pierces the deck emptyly.

I tried to pull the spear out of the deck in a hurry, but I couldn't get it out.

''Geez!''

Suddenly, I feel a pain in my right leg, as if I've been hit with a burning spit. I don't see it, but I know what it did to me. It was definitely a slash.

A sharp pain continues to run through both arms.

And then I fall down as it is.

''Nephim-sama!

Their cry of woe.

”There's your chance, handsome man.

Merman said and stomped on my face.

'Guh......'

He stomped on my face and I couldn't speak.

”You're gonna get your share of that b*tc*. I'll be right there.

Merman laughs wickedly.

I look at the two of them and they are frightened.

'Run away. ......'

I let out a moan, but I can't help it.

They would not be able to escape on this sea, being the daughters of humans.

I had to grit my teeth.

◆Locky merman.

We put two female water heroes in a water bubble and proceed through the ocean.

The water heroes are not the enemy.

They said they fought against the land demons, but they were probably only fighting lukewarm battles anyway.

He was not an enemy of the Onion who was forced to live and die in the arena.

The arena was hell.

As soon as he went ashore to look for his wife, both humans grabbed him and sent him to the arena.

In the arena, you have to kill your opponent to live.

He fought recklessly and managed to survive. Compared to fighting in the arena, fighting a water hero is slimy.

It's not just the heroes. All the human males were weak.

They seem to be the strongest in Ariad Bay.

I thank Goddess of the Sea, Daraugon, for giving me this good fortune.

”Hmmm. I'm going to turn this ocean into your personal kingdom.

We will take revenge on the humans, kidnap the females and create a kingdom. We laugh when we imagine a rosy future.

We laugh at the female in the bubble. The two females are limp but alive in the giant bubble. These females were the tenth of them.

After a short time, I see my nest on the seabed.

It was a huge bubble in the center of Ariad Bay.

Human females cannot breathe in the sea. So they make a huge bubble and fill it with air to keep them in. And then they give birth to their arms and children.

In time, the sea will be full of armed children.

The water heroes have taken a few of my friends away, but that's not a problem. There will be more soon.

Come on, ladies, we're home.

I enter the blister, and that's where I notice something wrong. The females are gone.

It's human females, which I don't know.

The human female approaches, laughing.

She has a face that could still be called a girl. But the smile was bewitching.

I admire the girl. The girl is so beautiful that even if the females who were here are bunched up, they can't match her.

'I'm sorry, uncle. Reno let all the girls here go. But that's okay, Uncle, because Reno will take care of them.

The girl who calls herself Reno laughs mischievously.

'You'll take care of it, though?'

He looks at the girl as he licks her around.

The girl's chest doesn't swell enough, but her stretched out limbs are sufficiently lustful.

'Your eyes are disgusting, uncle. The little one between your legs is looking up. You don't like it, Chiyuki, but Reno doesn't mind being looked at like that. Because that's how attractive Reno is.

He could feel the blood flowing down his lower body at the girl's enticing smile.

The girl was certainly attractive. With this girl, I might not need another female.

'Oh, you're very attractive. I don't need another female if you're going to take care of me.

Yeah, Reno will take care of them then.

That was when the girl said that. The water courageous females she was holding are pulled towards the girl. Their strength is so strong that they let go of her hand.

The girl laughs as she checks the status of the two females.

It's an innocent smile, but it was somewhat frightening.

'Well then. Let's do it, Uncle.

As the girl said this, the dome of blistering water cracked open and seawater poured in all at once.

'You don't mean you're going to fight your hands?'

Yes, but, Uncle.

There's no way a human female could ever be a match for you. You're going to die if you don't.

It's bad enough that the girl has to die. He tries to get to her in a hurry, but the current is too fast and he can't get to her.

But the current is too fast and I can't get to her.

It's okay, Uncle. ”Don't worry, Uncle, Reno can breathe in the sea. You should be more concerned about yourself.

A strong current of flow prevents my body from being free.

'Nonsense!　Don't let your forehead go with the flow!

It wasn't possible. I've never seen this happen before.

Then I see a huge black shadow in the stream.

'What the hell is that?!

'Let me introduce you to a friend of Reno's. She's Calibdis, the high spirit of the sea, Calibdis. Can you withstand her Great Vortex Mailstrom, Uncle?

The girl laughs. That smile was scary.

The girl was one hell of a witch. I should have run away immediately.

The current begins to swirl.

'Wait!　Don't do it!

But the voice doesn't seem to be getting through. My body creaks. I can feel my bones breaking.

My whole body is strong enough to shatter as it is.

In the midst of the intense pain, I felt my consciousness sinking into the dark sea.

Zephyr, the brave man of the wind.

Are you sure it's okay?　Lady Wind Hero.

Don't worry about it, merchant mister. I'll be right here with you.

Early in the morning in the carriage of a troop of merchants on their way from the Republic of Ariadia to another country. The merchant leading the troop merchant comes to me with a worried look

You. Can't you trust Master Zepha?

Come on.

The girls, my traveling companions, are angry at the merchant for not trusting my skills.

'Well wait, you two, I can see why your merchant husbands are worried. We've already had several traveling merchants attacked by centaurs.