Chapter 8 - Volume 1 (2/2)

“That’s fine, because resembling Father means becoming powerful.”

Ohh, Rick-chan, you’re unexpectedly resilient.

“Rick will become strong, huh… Hey, Yurushia, do you like strong boys?”

“Eh…”

“Ha?”

“Ah?”

Not just my voice, Rick and Shelly leak out sounds as well. I don’t understand the reason for the question very well.

Could there be some hidden meaning in Elea-sama’s words as expected? It’s definitely like that, right? Then, if I answer incorrectly here, this situation will become entirely different, won’t it?

“…… I don’t know.”

“I see. You don’t know yet, huh… Perhaps we should talk about it again with Ria when you become four.”

Please don’t. Wouldn’t that just be a little over two months? Let’s change the topic.

“I’ll think about it later. But isn’t that a question for a woman, rather than a child?”

“It is, but just like boys, it’s best to have a preference for who you’d like to be your husband.”

Ah. Only an unskillful Noble would go on without an heir.

Because I’m a child, Elea talks slowly to make it easier to understand.

“So: Yurushia, Shelly. Be sure to consult someone about it, alright? Your mothers, for example.”

“… Un.”

“…… Yes.”

So I should ask for support…… I don’t think too deeply about the meanings of her words.

“That’s right, Yurushia, what does Ria call you?”

“… Err, Yuru –…”

No, wait a second. Isn’t this the perfect chance to change my [Mascot]-like nickname that I’ve been worried about for some time now?

Before, I was a baby, so I couldn’t decide for myself. But now I can. So…… Because my name is Yurushia, something like [Rushia] or [Shia] would be fine.

“Rushi…”

“Yuru, you say. Is it alright if I call you Yuru as well, then…?”

“………… Yes.”

…… My correction was too slow.

＊＊＊

A suitable place for the Birthday of a certain son.

Viscount Peron, who was said to have established relationships with high-ranking Nobles and was such a noble himself, was approached with such a request.

The Villa that Viscount Peron prepared was a personal reward given by the first in line to be King; while it was a bit much as a gift, it was a great honor nonetheless.

It was near the Capital, but it wasn’t close to the Imperial Castle. It was large, making it quiet — almost to the point of being unsuitable to live in. Its taxes weren’t anything to scoff at, either.

It couldn’t be sold because it was given as a reward, so the land was lent out to Viscount Peron’s father and grandfather, as well as other nobles in order to cover the tax.

However, talk between Nobles are carried through stewards every day, and they had begun doubting the appreciation of the Viscount’s gift, and pondered over how he was using all the money he was gaining through it.

And so, when there was a sudden modification in the venue the party would be held at, this villa was decided. The day before the party many cooks and maids arrived, alongside a large quantity of supplies. Escorting them were not only Knights and Guards, even people with the gowns of Wizards were present, making one wonder if the son of a Noble wielding considerable power was to arrive.

And on the day of the party……

“…… I’m hungry.”

Such a voice leaks out of a young soldier, but his coworkers don’t blame him.

“The stuff those young kids are eating looks quite delicious…”

The soldiers, who had been scraped up and positioned without much warning, had only eaten a quick breakfast and weren’t permitted to rest until the party concluded.

The soldiers could only afford to make bitter smiles as they listened to the wretched music at a distance.

In the case of soldiers being stationed to guard such a large party, they’re treated to any leftover ingredients and dishes once the party ends. In the case of a party held for a child, high-quality sweets are often plentiful by the end, as the children can’t eat much.

“…… Are the maids aiming for the sweets?”

“That’s right. Because a big shot’s involved this time, the guys at the back gate said that an outrageous amount of Cake has been prepared.”

It was only a rumor, but the party was supposedly supposed to take place at night originally, so it would seem that the casual children’s party was the only thing planned in a hurry.

“Oi, you guys, pay proper attention.”

“”… R-Right.””

The soldiers hurriedly straighten their posture after hearing a sudden voice.

The owner of the voice was a young knight with strange black hair. Because the guards were gathered in such a hurry, they were relocated from various places. As a result, most don’t recognize each others’ faces.

The knight gives a wry smile to the soldiers before taking out a small amount of meat and wine from a basket he was carrying.

“It’s only a little, but it’s for the sake of the celebration. I could only gather this much, though……”

“T-This is for us? Thank you very much.”

The knight shows a bright smile, and lightly waves his hand to the two guards who have similar expressions.

And with that, the plan had begun quietly.

The black-haired knight walks down an empty corridor. Behind him:

“What are you doing here?”

A middle-aged Knight calls out while on patrol with two subordinate Knights. Slowly, the knight with the black hair turns to them.

“Just patrolling the area.”

“You were…? Excuse my impoliteness, but I’d like to know your full name.”

“Hm. I am…”

The black-haired knight pulls out his sword and beheads the middle-aged knight in an instant.

“My name is Zumana. Now, I must be on my way.”

After saying so, Zumana cuts the neck of one of the remaining knights before they could understand what happened. The movement was as casual as a handshake.

“… Hii!”

The final knight flinches and takes some distance from the knight with blood now spewing out of his neck, he then readies his sword. By the time he did so, however, Zumana had already finished his chant, and pointed the tip of his sword towards the knight.

“Lightning Spear”

*Bachi*… With the sound of something popping, a bolt of lightning is loosed through the knight’s metal armor, turning the last knight into a corpse without a word.

“Well… Shall we begin?”

＊＊＊

“…… Uugh…”

I cover my mouth and hold down a sudden nauseous feeling.

“Yuru…?”

“Yuru-sama?!”

Elea-sama calls out quietly, followed by Shelly.

What is this…? This feeling that’s welling up from my stomach and making my body boil?

“…… Do you feel ill?”

Because even Rick looks worried, I must look quite strange.

Suddenly, Elea-sama looks up and mutters, as if the words were leaking out.

“…… The smell of blood…?”

Indeed, it’s the smell of blood.[Agony] and[Despair] drift within the[Aroma] of the blood, throwing my emotions into turmoil.

“…… Eleanor-sama.”

Before I knew it, Elea had whispered something into the ear of a Butler. I faintly heard what she said, but I didn’t hear all of it as expected:

“… The soldiers… … Poison…?”

*BAAN!*

The door was forcefully slammed open, and a knight alongside several other men, all covering their faces, enter the room with their weapons held at the ready.

Even a young lower-class noble like me could understand what was going on.

“The area around the mansion has already been seized. The children will be coming with us.”

Such were the words of a terrorist.

Yeah, this…… This is definitely terrorism. As for their objective, it might be kidnapping for ransom… From a black-haired knight, I definitely felt an intent like that.

“What did you say?”

Elea-sama builds up magic terribly quickly. It was the Fire Magic: Flame Orb judging by appearance…… But Elea-sama wasn’t able to release it.

“Using Magic here… Wouldn’t that hit the children?”

So said a masked knight, who held the arm of a frightened boy.

“… Ku…”

In vexation, Elea stands still… But she doesn’t dispel the Fire Magic.

The way things are going, this doesn’t look good.

Elea is at a stalemate against the terrorists who’re holding hostages, and Shelly, Rick, and the other children have all become rigid and blue-faced.

If someone panics, it’s possible that they’ll be hurt by the terrorists as an example. At worst, they could even be killed.

The children’s minds are at the breaking point, and the only thing keeping them from crossing over into complete panic is Elea’s presence it seems.

And so, if Elea dispels her magic, the children will most likely breach that breaking point.

The Butlers and Maids understand all of the above, so they don’t make a move.

Even with just a glance…… I can understand that it’s only a matter of time before panic breaks loose.

I could try to make a plan, but it would be ineffective because of their supposed purpose; that is, to abduct children.

As a 4-year-old, it should be impossible to stop them.

I could make full use of my powers as a Demon… But even if the only demerit is being viewed as a Demon, I don’t want to reveal my true nature…… I’m sorry.

So, their purpose will be accomplished… But the real questions are: how many will be taken, and who will be taken?

The first to be taken will probably be Rick. He’s the most important child at the party, and I can’t help but think that the large number of guards were provided for him.

And so, the best plan is to surrender Rick and leave. Yep. It’s that simple.

However, because this is such a large-scale event, after they’ve taken him they might just kidnap as many children as possible.

The number of children rivals the number of terrorists, so taking too many hostages would interfere with the escape, however.

Therefore, at most, they’ll take about five people total.

It can be assumed that even if as few as 3-4 people are taken they will have achieved their purpose, so the problem doesn’t lie with those that are taken, but rather those left behind.

To the terrorists, there isn’t much point in keeping them alive — especially in the case of adults.

It’s risky to stay, and it’s equally risky to remain. How troublesome.

Other lives are relatively trivial, but Elea-sama is a friend of Mother, so it would be unpleasant for her to die — even if it would result in a good scent. And as a worst case scenario, I’d like the cute Shelly to live even if she’s the only one among us to do so.

To me who is a Demon with a strange Human mind, I decide to take an unexpected action.

There’s no helping it…… Although it’s out of character, I’ll go on [The Stage].

“… Elea-sama, lower your hand.”

As quietly as possible, I reach up and touch Elea-sama’s hand…… And speak clearly.

“Y-Yuru…?”

Slowly, I silently slip off of the couch…… And with a dignified expression, I move towards the terrorists.

No one had moved at first, but suddenly the smallest girl changed that. The terrorists turn their eyes towards me in alarm.

“Please release the people here.”

By turning off my emotions as much as possible and staring with calm, quiet eyes, I make maximum use of my inhuman appearance, causing those who were about to say something shrink up.

Fufu, there’re times when my scary appearance comes in handy after all.

Still, I have to finish it quickly before they recover. To start with, this isn’t some [Coercion] ability that would force them to release everyone unconditionally.

“Instead, take me.”

I hear someone say something from behind, but it’s practically inaudible, so I don’t worry about it.

The eyes of the terrorists swim. Only the leader can make the decision.

I smile at the masked knight with black hair as gently as possible. I then start walking before their sanity returns. Don’t provoke him…… Slowly…

If I can walk past them to the door without any of them touching me, I’ll have completed more than half of my objective.

If I can make it to the hallway, they’ll have no choice but to capture me… Supposedly.

So, my gamble is for them to grieve over the sight of my appearance until then. I’m unsure if it will be a success even now.

If it does work, then so long as I’m the only one who’s taken, I can unseal the sure-death Rank G avalanche — albeit reluctantly.

Slowly, I walk past the side of the leader, who has a mysterious expression on his face. Just a bit more… Just a little more…

“Not just Yuru, take me as well!”

Eh……? Elea-sama?

“I’ll also go with Yuru-sama!”

Shelly too!

“M-Me as well!”

Rick…… No, you can do whatever you want.

Aa~a…… Jeez…… Why did it turn out like this……?

Author’s Note:

By the way, Yurushia’s  voice was heard like this:

“Pweez we-leez da peepo heaw.”

“In-shted, taykh me.”