Translator: Luk2048
Editor: Ghost Ape
I believed it was worth asking her, but I didn't believe we were qualified. After all, our last meeting ended with Lady Saintess being violently thrown by Rēko. I had no idea what happened to her after that, besides even if we met her we'd only scar her even further.
"Well Rēko, that was on my mind too, but Lady Saintess must be busy one way or another, so we can't just go and make her listen to our problems whenever we feel like it. Also now that I think about it, we're banned from entering that town."
After saying so I turned to Rēko, just to realize I was too late. Rēko's figure had already disappeared, leaving behind only a whirlwind that blew up a cloud of dust.
Looking up at the distant skies I could see Rēko's figure, fluttering her black wings and heading in a straight line to Lady Saintess' town.
"Noo! Rēko! Return quickly!"
It was already a distance where I could only see a dot, but I still clearly knew, mainly by intuition, that Rēko turned to me and clenched her fist as if indicating she understood.
No, not that. Not "Capture Lady Saintess and return quickly", but I simply wanted you to come back right now.
"… Aah, I can't see her anymore."
"Sir Evil Dragon, just where exactly could Lady Kin be headed to? Did she go in pursuit after that demon?"
"Not really, no. There's a person, an acquaintance of ours, who might be well-informed about spirits, so――"
"Eh, for reals? That's Evil Dragon Lord for you, impressive connections."
Sheina came close, rubbing her hands in an ingratiating manner. Saying frankly, her secretly smiling expression was that of a small villain.
"Ah, but don't expect too much. She might not know anything, and there's also no guarantee she'll come in the first pla… well, even if she refuses Rēko will probably bring her along anyway."
Sure enough, like a bird of prey holding tightly its spoils, Rēko came back after a few minutes with a person's shadow suspended mid-air. The person's figure with swaying aqua coloured hair―― Lady Saintess wasn't particularly noisy. However, that was because she fell into a daze with her mouth hanging open, as if her soul was forced out.
"By all means Evil Dragon Lord, interrogate her as you please."
After landing on the ground Rēko solemnly said in an unsettling manner.
"Ah, excuse me, Lady Saintess? Are you okay? I'm really sorry for bringing you here so suddenly."
"M-Mr. Lizard…? This is…?"
Before giving Lady Saintess a reply, I first had to take care of Rēko, who already has wordlessly drawn her dagger after hearing how I was called.
"It's fine Rēko. I didn't tell you yet, but I recognize Lady Saintess' strength despite her looking like this. She has all sorts of vexing and annoying points, but she's a brave warrior that challenged me one-on-one fair and square, you know? We're already comrades after fighting once. So I don't mind at all if she calls me a lizard. Okay?"
"I see. If Evil Dragon Lord says so I'll let it slide."
Maybe because she calmed down after she got on the ground light was gradually returning to Lady Saintess' absentminded eyes.
"Ahem, that's right! Me and Mr Lizard are best pals that experienced a death match together. So, what happened? I was really startled when Lady Rēko came so suddenly――"
Haizen, Sheina and everyone present immediately raised a commotion cornering Lady Saintess.
"You survived a fight to the death with Sir Evil Dragon…?"
"Awesome! You don't even look much older than me!"
Sheina probably couldn't compare to Lady Saintess' actual age, but I decided to not mention anything. Thus, once she repeatedly garnered praise from all sides her stupor from just a while ago seemed to disappear somewhere, and her face quickly began to turn smug.
"I don't understand what's going on, but it looks like there's a lot of people who realize my value here! Ah, but still, I can't immigrate, okay? After all I've a town that waits for my return."
"Ah, I don't really care about that, so could you talk with that child?"
Since she was getting carried away, Sheina cut her off and dumped the spirit on her. Lady Saintess, who suddenly had the feral child forced upon her, stared in puzzlement while embracing the spirit.
"Erm, what's this about Mr. Lizard?"
Once she inquired clearly looking for help, I lowered my voice and said close to her ear.
"Aah, I'm sorry that no one explained anything. It seems like this child is a spirit. But it's like we can't reach a mutual understanding. And so, if it's you who has turned from a demon to a god, we wondered if you could understand spirits' feelings that are in between the two."
"I see! After all I'm the only one reliable!"
Pyoon, Lady Saintess perked up her ears that were a bit too long to be called common. Then she enthusiastically picked up the spirit high up into the air, saying,
"Come now Ms. Spirit, open your heart to this pure Saintess of abundance, in other words me!"
『It became higher.』
"Don't be shy, it's okay. There once was a time when I also was a rascal, so it's not like I don't understand your feelings…"
『The ground approaches.』
"Lady Saintess, you're dropping her due to all your boiling enthusiasm. Moreover headfirst."
Back on the ground, the spirit simply resumed her meal crunching on a rock. Seeing that, Lady Saintess' conclusion was,
"―― Yup, I've no idea!"
"I figured."
"Thinking about it now, from the moment I was born I always wanted to drown or help the humans, I don't think there ever was a period of indifference like this. In short I became aware just now, but it means that a time when I was a spirit doesn't exist!"
I see, I guess it meant that look-at-me types couldn't turn into spirits.
"That's enough. You've served your purpose, you can go back now water demon. I've finished the preparations for your return."
"Rēko, don't call spinning your arm around and getting into a throwing posture as return preparations."
Just when I was about to instruct Rēko that we have to send her back normally, Lady Saintess raised the spirit once again.
"However, demons and spirits are born in the same way - from the humans' wishes. It's just a guess, but, even though this child might not be a chatterbox like me, didn't everyone pay attention to her anyway? I think that's why she's so my-pace and doing things at her leisure. But her environment changed suddenly, didn't it? Maybe the reason she's so hungry is because the attention receded and in turn the magic power became not enough…? The stones around here seem to contain a bit of magic power, probably something like a precious metal ore. So I think she's eating that to replenish her magi――"
With serious faces Haizen and Sheina put their hands on Lady Saintess' shoulders respectively and solemnly dragged her away as potential reference material.
Translator: Luk2048
Editor: Ghost Ape
"Well, you see, the beings known as demons and spirits are fine even without eating food. They can live as long as they replenish magic power."
The tavern's tent turned into a hastily made interrogation room, but the taken away Lady Saintess didn't seem dissatisfied, instead she had the same look of triumph on her face as before. In reality it was an investigation filled with impatience and a sense of urgency, but Lady Saintess perhaps misunderstood being surrounded by a crowd as them fawning over her.
"Ooh… What exactly is the replenishment of magic power?"
Haizen skilfully encouraged Lady Saintess without cutting her off, even though he should've had some own prior knowledge about it, most likely to make her speak more freely.
"Well, let me see… For example, demons attack human settlements, right?"
Everyone nodded with grave expressions. I remembered the fight when Rēko first awakened. If at that time the Kuragari wolves hadn't come, I might've safely went back to my cav―― No, it wasn't possible anyway. It'd have absolutely turned out like this one way or another.
"That sort of thing is basically a way to turn humans into a source of magic power by preying on them. Looking at it like that it doesn't differ from carnivores living in the wild. Still, the ones replenishing their magic in such a simplistic way are mainly low-class demons."
At that time Lady Saintess stared off into space. She might've recalled the times when she spread the bottomless swamp right in the middle of the plains but nobody fell in.
"But you see, there's a separate method of magic replenishment for stronger demons."
"What kind?"
"Ahem! That is『doing nothing.』The terribly strong demons cause dread amongst humans even when they keep quiet, right? When a lot of such thoughts gather, this in itself becomes a powerful source of magic power. Trying to trap and drown humans in a bottomless swamp is after all nothing but the act of a second-rate demon. The genuine first-class ones earn magic power effortlessly."
Saying proudly, Lady Saintess brazenly puffed out her chest. Sheina sighed wistfully with envy written all over her face.
Whereas Rēko nodded as though she grasped something,
"So that's why Evil Dragon Lord doesn't eat people carelessly. You can only eat them once, but if you make them live long time you can squeeze out feelings of awe infinitely…"
"I simply like grass though."
"I see. Not only humans, but Evil Dragon Lord also drums fear into all beings of nature, even plants. As expected, Lord makes sure to bleed the dread dry even from a roadside grass… All creation trembles in fear of Evil Dragon Lord…"
"Then I wonder whose strength exactly gains from this kind of fear that I've been feeling lately."
Lady Saintess, who proudly spouted forth a torrent of information, pointed her finger at the spirit eating a stone in the corner of the room.
"It's true this child is a spirit and not a demon, but both have a lot in common. The gold mountain mesmerizes humans, so they inevitably bathed it with their attention. Throughout many years it must've been an environment with no lack of magic power for her."
"But she turned out like this in the morning."
Haizen turned around to the spirit with a hint of panic. She was still carefreely masticating on a rock.
"After all with this figure she can't collect the thoughts of awe as a golden mountain. Well… nevertheless, just what circumstances could make her turn out like this? It's hard to believe that she suddenly became like this."
As far as I knew, spirits seldom revealed their figures as physical entities. They melted in the world as one with nature, so it was extremely rare to find a person who even heard a spirit's voice.
Then Sheina raised her hand.
"Excuse me teacher. What's likely to happen if we leave her like that?"
"Teacher? Did you just call me a teacher? Please call me that some more!"
"Lady Saintess, I get it that you're happy, but could you stop walking on air and answer the question properly?"
Disregarding Lady Saintess, who was persistently demanding to be called a teacher, Rēko muttered quietly under her breath after fixedly observing the spirit.
"If it goes on like this she'll eventually vanish."
It was a bombshell of a statement. Everyone left Lady Saintess aside and instantly gathered around Rēko. Sheina was the first to express her disbelief.
"Disappear? The spirit will? You for real, Rēko?"
"I'm certain. Most likely this human-like form is a puppet container created by demons. The real mountain had to be spatially compressed and sealed inside this puppet as the spirit's source of magic power. However, the energy consumption is abnormally quick. Like this the spirit will vanish along with the gold mountain in under a month."
She said it with a nonchalant look. I already didn't intend to ask for the grounds of her claims, because they no doubt were about right.
"It's extremely hard to tame a spirit using normal means, so they must've went with a strategy to imprison it in a disposable puppet and brainwash into going on a rampage. Of course the brainwash part ended up as a failure."
"Then Rēko, can you bring back the mountain sealed inside this―― puppet with your power?"
"I'm able to gouge and return the space where the mountain is sealed, but it'd require of me to destroy this doll. At that time I'd be unable to guarantee this spirit's safety."
"Yeah, we want to avoid that."
All the soldiers were making a fuss, saying "As expected of the Evil Dragon and his kin, what a high-level conversation…" but I've simply became numb to Rēko's remarks.
"So we really have no other option but to capture that demon and make him turn it back to normal, huh. Rēko, can you still catch him?"
"With no effort."
"Even though I'm the one asking, I'd have preferred you struggling a bit."
Just when I thought she was going to promptly sprout wings and fly off like she did when kidnapping Lady Saintess, it turned out I was wrong. Rēko extended her left arm into the empty air――
And she deliberately bent space.
No one spoke a word towards the sudden development. Only Rēko, as though beating on a slit drum[1], thrust her hand into the warped space and ransacked inside with a rustling sound like scrounging through a box full of toys.
"Evil Dragon Lord, I caught him."
When she forcefully pulled her arm, only the purple long hair was dragged out of the space vortex. No doubt the hair was swaying because the body on the other side of the vortex had to be struggling frantically.
"Ermm, Rēko, this skill is?"
"I started thinking about a more efficient way of seizing opponents when I was tasked with bringing Lady Saintess over here, and this is the new skill I came up with."
"Is that so… Still, from now on before you attempt a new skill discuss it with me first."
Me keeping her in check was becoming more and more futile. When she pulled her hand even further, this time a freshly severed Mr. Adonis' head appeared from the space. It was a genuinely grotesque image.
"I was wondering what's going on since the subspace has appeared so abruptly, but after all it's the Evil Dragon's doing…"
"That's right. Now, spill how to return the spirit back to normal. As long as you do I'm going to let you go."
"It's useless. I told you I'm a disposable pawn."
For some reason Rēko scowled at the triumphantly smiling demon.
"I see, you're also a puppet."
"Exactly. Only a duty of sealing the spirit in the puppet was bestowed upon me. From the beginning I had no other information."
"Then connect me to the executive you contacted before. I'll ask him directly."
"No use. I've been told that I no longer can be used since my identity was leaked to the Evil Dragon and expulsed just a while ago. The communication magic must've been blocked by now. I'm already nothing but a stray doll."
Unwittingly I've become overwhelmed with sorrow.
"Evil Dragon Lord, it doesn't look like he's lying."
"Yeah, even I've noticed that he's giving off a terrible air of melancholy."
"Come now, kill me."
"You be quiet for a moment. Stop tenaciously boring into my heart any more than that. Rēko, you can release him already. We can just pull him in when we need something again."
"Understood."
Plop, after making sure Mr. Adonis' head was thrown back into the subspace, I crouched down in worry. It didn't seem like we'd be able to gain any particularly useful information. However, if we left it like that, both the spirit and the gold vein, everything would disappear.
"It's hopeless, with my brains I can't come up with even the slightest hint of――"
『The mountainside[2] became fertile.』
"Eh?"
The spirit abruptly dropped the rock she was holding onto. Sitting down like an adorable animal, she started spacing out as if she was content.
"It'd be troublesome if she disappeared along with the gold, so I imparted her just a little of my magic power. For the time being she should be fine for the next 300 years."
On the other hand, 'for the time being' I've decided to cry myself to sleep.
Translator: Luk2048
Editor: Ghost Ape
"Somehow, recently I feel like an idiot for considering things so seriously."
"Maybe you're tired? After all Mr. Lizard is quite a grandpa, right?"
We were on the bank of a small river, the water gently babbling below. I went on a stroll by myself in search of a place to nap and sulk in the area, but Lady Saintess came with me, even though I didn't invite her.
Because Rēko saw through the spirit's present condition and even supplied her with magic power, everyone stopped really paying attention to Lady Saintess anymore since she had completely served her purpose. It seemed like it became dull, so she clung to me who entertained her with conversation.
"By the way, listen to this! To tell you the truth, I've advanced since then! A construction to draw a large-scale waterway from my town all the way to Peryudōna has begun. Don't you think that water sprung forth by me being used in a town where top notch adventurers gather is amazing?"
"Aah, now that you mention it Rēko mentioned something about that town's deteriorating waterway facilities."
Lady Saintess was garrulous enough to convey clearly just how much she wanted to talk about it.
"Ah, of course the place I belong to is my current town. But I'd be hard pressed to refuse if I were to be told I'm needed. After all as a Saintess I should do my best to respond to a voice seeking help."
"Quite earnest, aren't you?"
"Ehehe not at all… I still have a long way to go. If one day the whole country were to worship me… that would be great…."
"I think it's better if you don't go too overboard. You're likely to mess up after all."
Still, she was so virtuous that it seemed unthinkable that she was once a demon. From what I gathered she was quite the bonehead during her demon days so her true nature didn't particularly change much, but just how deep that town people's faith had to be to change a demon into a god.
Thereupon, a question sprouted within me.
"Hey Lady Saintess, can I ask you something?"
"Yes? What is it?"
"You said earlier that awe and dread turns into demons strength, but what would happen if, for example, everyone around the world would be scared of a demon that actually doesn't exist?"
"A demon that doesn't exist…?"
Lady Saintess didn't seem to get it and tilted her neck.
"Yeah, I mean it's about me. Look, I've been mistook as Evil Dragon Rēvendia, wasn't I?"
"Come to think of it, you're right. But, in reality Lady Rēko is the Evil Dragon Lord, yes?"
"You're still hung up on it? I told you it's not like that. Rēko is truly only a human; she doesn't belong to a demon category. A dragon known as the Evil Dragon Rēvendia doesn't exist in this world."
Maybe the shock was too large for her, but she petrified like a rock.
"Is, is that true? The one equal even to that Demon King―― the legendary Evil Dragon that has lived for thousands of years doesn't exist…?"
"Ah, it's true that I've lived several thousand years though. The distinct black body and azure eyes are also the same. But the name Rēvendia was forced on me and my strength or character were both extremely embellished."
I made sure to emphasize that she absolutely had to keep it a secret from Rēko. Maybe because Lady Saintess read the grave aura I was emitting, she quickly nodded while gulping loudly.
"And so, in that case where exactly do the thoughts of dread towards me go? If I was a real demon I should've become dreadfully strong, but there's not even a shred of such presence, right?"
In the end even if magic power was given there was no vessel. I was only a herbivore after all.
"You're right… I've never heard of a case like that so I've truthfully no idea, but if the destination for those thoughts doesn't exist they should disappear sooner or later, right?"
"Uh huh, so it's really like that. A load off my shoulders… If there was some kind of weird uncontained magic power leak because of me I couldn't help but feel responsible."
"I think it's okay. There was nothing like a demon suddenly springing forth in Mr. Lizard's immediate surroundings, right?"
"No way. If that happened I already wouldn't be in this world."
"After all Mr. Lizard is extremely weak!"
Lady Saintess added laughing. If my memory serves me right though, I'm positive I've won when we last fought.
"Aah but still, there could've been something I missed. For example if it was a demon so awfully weak that I wouldn't notice its existence, it might've occurred when I was asleep…?"
"No, no. If the sense of dread towards the Evil Dragon Rēvendia were to be embodied, it wouldn't result with such a low level demon. For instance it should be a terrific demon that would be able to sunder earth with a swipe of its claws or fly through the sky crossing the speed of sound."
"Then I can rest easy. After all if such a demon did appear in my surroundings I'd have noticed for sure…"
Then out of nowhere I had a flashback of my recent memories. A girl who wasn't unusual in any way had suddenly awoken to an unbelievable amount of magic power - she sundered earth, soared skies, spouted flames, bent space; all the while acting as the Evil Dragon's kin.
Instantly sweat started dripping down the nape of my neck.
"What's happened to you Mr. Lizard? You somehow look really bad, you know?"
Just maybe, I might've had forced a terrible thing onto Rēko.
Translator: Luk2048
Editor: Ghost Ape
"Are you really okay? Does your stomach hurt? You didn't eat anything bad, did you?"
Peering into my sickly looking face, Lady Saintess quickly raised a ruckus.
"Uhh, it's nothing. I was only thinking about something."
"Is there something worrying you? No need to be so distant; don't hold back and tell me everything! You just said we're best pals after all!"
"Well, even if I ask you for advice I really can't see the situation getting any better…"
Nevertheless, I was fairly dispirited. I'd certainly be thankful if I could share some of my heavy burden by talking. After glancing around the shallow riverbed and making sure no one else was here, I explained to Lady Saintess the matter of Rēko's awakenment. That was also including the possibility I realized earlier of the dread towards Rēvendia drifting over to her.
And the conclusion Lady Saintess gave was,
"What, isn't that easy? Then wouldn't the power transfer over to Mr. Lizard if you only behaved a little like an Evil Dragon?"
"Ah?"
She not only believed me unexpectedly easily but even suggested an inconceivable solution.
"After all, originally that dread was gathered consciously around Mr. Lizard. It only drifted over to the nearby Lady Rēko because Mr. Lizard was too miserable, so if Mr. Lizard stands up straight and turns Evil Dragon-ish it surely should return to its rightful place."
"R-Really? Rēko will return to being a normal child if I become a bit more like Evil Dragon?"
"Yes, I've no substantial proof but somehow I'm sure about it!"
Since Lady Saintess' face was beaming with confidence I also got a little excited and started wagging my tail. Once I returned Rēko to normal I could bring her to a human village while I could yet again seclude myself deep in the mountains. I was gushing with hope.
Feeling already as though everything was solved I jumped into the creek and immersed myself in the pleasantly cold water. The chilly sensation began washing away my stress, so much so that I even found Lady Saintess, who also soaked herself in water, messing around and shooting a water pistol at me refreshing――
"… Huh? But what should I do to become more Evil Dragon like?"
I had a role model (Rēko) nearby, but I absolutely never, ever could act like that. When I was fretting over what to do while blowing bubbles on the water's surface, Lady Saintess gently placed her hand on my shoulder.
"Please don't worry Mr. Lizard. Don't you remember that I once was a demon? In other words the former pro of evilness. You can leave the coaching to me."
"Ah, I'm good."
I refused with a never seen before ease.
"Why's that!"
Screaming in protest, Lady Saintess raised a splash of water.
"Isn't your heinous nature no different from mine?"
"That's not true. The golden age me was so bad that I wanted to sink an entire town, you know?"
"Yes. Of course."
After replying emotionlessly I got up from the river and shook the water off of me like a soggy dog.
"But I'm not capable of such appalling evil deeds. Unlike you I've no abilities after all."
"It'll probably be fine. Didn't Lady Rēko have no abilities when she came to your cave? In that case, what's important is a disposition becoming of an Evil Dragon."
"Even if you tell me that…"
I fell into bewilderment. I was also told previously "Have some dignity" by Ariante, but a 5000 year long thought pattern of putting emphasis on escape couldn't possibly be changed so easily.
"Alright! Then let's begin without delay and go do something bad!"
Lady Saintess' long ears stood up straight and she began exultantly heading towards the camp site where Sheina and the others were. Panicking I went around and cut off her path.
"Wait, hold it Lady Saintess. We can't cause too much trouble, okay? Or rather, all those people are soldiers. If we do something bad publicly we might turn into subjugation targets, you know?"
"Mr. Lizard… Did you know? If causing evil out in the open is bad, we can just do it quietly in secret…?"
Suddenly Lady Saintess showed an out of character bewitching smile. I unconsciously fell under a strong persuasive power. It's true, as long as we don't get caught no one will blame us. How clever. Is this the former demon's ingenuity?
"… Ahem. You've a point. Well then, what specifically are we doing?"
"For example, by controlling this water with my ability―― we will drench someone's dry laundry."
"That's too much. I'd feel bad for someone who'd have to dry it again. Besides, there's no 'my turn' in it. Isn't there anything else?"
"Let's see…"
Lady Saintess began to ponder over it seriously, and then a flash of inspiration appeared on her face.
"Now that I think about it, the townspeople often said that 'the worst thing is wasting food'."
"Right, your town focuses on agriculture after all."
"Producing food certainly takes a lot of time and labour. It wouldn't be an overstatement to call wasting food an evil among evils."
We faced each other and swallowed with a loud gulp. Trembling, Lady Saintess closed her eyes.
"Even I don't want to do something like that. However, there's no other way to release Lady Rēko from the vast magic power and regain Mr. Lizard's freedom."
"… You're right. At least for today I'll have to harden my heart."
Clenching my teeth, we faced the campsite and set forth with a do-or-die resolve. All in order to dip my hands in forbidden sin and become an adequate existence as the Evil Dragon.
To be precise it was to commit a deed worthy of an Evil Dragon―― like pulling up the grass by the roots and then deliberately abandoning it, letting it all go to waste.
Translator: Luk2048
Editor: Ghost Ape
Fortunately we had plenty of targets. The garrison grounds were mostly unpaved with clumps of grass growing all over the place.
Maybe because she'd be able to show her real abilities as a former demon, Lady Saintess was brimming with motivation. Putting on a straw hat and working gloves she pulled out from god knows where, she gave off an impression of a professional whose job is to send the grass on their way.
We first visited the rear of Haizen's residence. Since it was the back of the building it wasn't meticulously cared for so I've been often conveniently nibbling on the grass here since yesterday.
―― Whereas this time we'd be purposely wasting it.
"Hey…uup!"
Lady Saintess had already begun vigorously plucking grass. Seeing the pulled by the roots grass, flustered, I had to suppress the drool hanging from my mouth. I shouldn't. I didn't come for a meal this time.
"I can't let only Lady Saintess get her hands dirty…"
I steeled my resolve and set about removing the grass. However, I wasn't able to nimbly grasp it with my claws. Inevitably I wound up uprooting the grass with my mouth.
"… I can't."
The moment I held a bite in my mouth the taste of grass spread on my tongue. With the smell of fresh green grass tickling my nasal cavity, an instinct inside me whispered softly for me to chew and engulf it right away.
"You mustn't! Don't lose to the temptation Mr. Lizard! You're making a face like you're on the verge of losing to your appetite!"
"U-uhh… But Lady Saintess, just think about it. At this point it's already half-torture for me. To have to spit out food right after putting it in my mouth… Such a waste. Besides I'll get hungry"
"Listen, you won't become an Evil Dragon if you continue saying such weak spirited things, you know? It's the only way to take back the magic power which went to Lady Rēko."
That's right. Although a pity, I mustn't forget that at this rate I'd be forced to go at full speed with berserk Rēko on a Demon King conquest.
Thus I finally resolved myself. Becoming a god of destruction, I gently let fall to the ground the grass I ripped up with my mouth.
"Fuu… How's it Lady Saintess? Just now, was I fairly Evil Dragon like?"
"I also can't really put my finger on how exactly an Evil Dragon should be like, but compared to the usual Mr. Lizard gave off a wild impression!"
"Then I'm glad. Well let's go ahead and continue."
The me who overcame the wall of my conscience and appetite began to dispose of grass in earnest shoulder to shoulder with Lady Saintess. The residence's backyard covered in green very quickly was exposed to be the colour of earth.
Thereupon, a voice came from one of the estate's windows.
"… S-Say, what are you doing, you two…?"
It was Sheina, who still was fervently trying to win over the mountain spirit by giving her a ride on her shoulders. Her face grew stiff, maybe because she froze in fear after seeing our figures single-mindedly focused on tearing out weeds.
Not good. We might've scared her.
This was where I should go and say "Were you overcome with dread, Sheina? This is my true figure. Carve the fear of Evil Dragon Rēvendia deep into your heart." However, if I did that I might traumatise the poor young girl.
When me and Lady Saintess were exchanging glances and thinking how should we patch things up, Rēko popped out her head out of the residence's window frame. I ordered Rēko to keep an eye on the spirit just in case that the demons came to recapture her.
Then she fixedly stared at me and said with satisfaction.
"Today's Evil Dragon Lord is much more malevolent than usual…"
Great, it transmitted to Rēko. After all this wasn't a mistake. Now I only need a quick follow-up for Sheina――
"H-Hey, Evil Dragon Lord? I-If the weeds bother you that much I'll have them cleaned up right away, there's no need for you to do something like this!"
Terribly flustered, Sheina jumped over the window frame. The spirit was sitting on her shoulders but she landed safely with skilful movements. Oh, that's right. I forgot that this child, for one reason or another, held me in high regard. She might be trying to obtain the Evil Dragon Rēvendia's strength by taking part in this evil herself.
―― Wait. Since the power has once drifted to Rēko, it's more than possible that it'll drift over to Sheina if she commits a misdeed here.
"No, you cannot. It's something we've to do ourselves. You just take care of the spirit."
"Ah, but I can't make the Evil Dragon Lord do something like―"
"That's enough, step back. Do not object to the words of the Evil Dragon Lord."
Before I knew it Rēko jumped down to the backyard and restrained Sheina by gripping her wrist.
"But Rēko, if I won't help out here it'll be too much…"
"―― Listen, it's also for your sake. It's the first time I've ever seen Evil Dragon Lord rampage so much. If you were to act with the current Evil Dragon Lord, you would no longer be able to stay human."
"I-Is really such an amazing situation unfolding? Now?"
Unexpectedly receiving Reko's help I gave Sheina a deep nod with my head.
"That's right Sheina. The current me is awfully amazing. Right, Rēko?"
"Yes, I feel an unprecedented darkness from the Evil Dragon Lord."
With both of her fists tightly clenched, Rēko happily nodded her head in agreement over and over. Feeling enough joy to have my eyes fill with tears, I took advantage of the confusion and merrily nibbled on some grass. It was exquisite.
"Incidentally why are you allowing this water demon to attend you? If it was the act worthy to be called destruction of the great darkness, Lord just had to call and this one deserving of the name kin would come immediately."
"Ahem! That's because Mr. Lizard judged that it's still too early for Lady Rēko! In that respect, I've become a dependable adult that came to fully comprehend the ways of the world and――"
Not reading the mood and plunging with a self-appeal, Lady Saintess was cut off short by Rēko.
"That so, I'm proud of you. It looks like demons are drawing near your town, but to think you'd leave it and swear your loyalty to the Evil Dragon Lord…"
"Eh? Lady Rēko? What did you just say?"
"I've sensed it just now, but demons are once again approaching your town. Certainly if you're to walk with the Evil Dragon Lord on the supreme road of destruction, abandoning one or two towns like that is a matter of course."
Lady Saintess petrified with her mouth hanging wide open. It looked like she completely forgot about her own duty of protecting the town once she got kidnapped.
"S-Send me back to my town right away, Lady Rēko! You can even throw me or boil me!"
"What the, your determination was that weak, huh… Evil Dragon Lord, may I?"
"Uh huh, send her back as soon as possible. Gently if you can."
When Rēko snapped her fingers a subspace gap opened identical to the one which transferred Mr. Adonis over, and as if swallowing her whole Lady Saintess vanished.
"I sent her back. Those demons are even inferior to the wolves which came to the village, so that water demon should be more than enough to deal with them."
"Ah that's great, but you already started to use that skill casually huh. Each and every time you use it is nerve wracking for me so I'd prefer if you held yourself back unless it's an emergency."
"Understood. As I've expected, skills bending the natural laws have a considerable influence on this world, don't they? Just like Evil Dragon Lord doesn't create subspaces rashly I'll also restrain myself from now on."
While nodding relieved, I stared at the space in front of me and tried ordering in my mind "Bend, like Rēko's." Of course nothing happened.
Since I was wasting grass I thought that the Evil Dragon power should soon take shelter within me, but it looked like the effects weren't visible yet.
However, at this rate it'd surely dwell inside me in the near future. With a somewhat lighter heart I decided to continue relentlessly plucking out grass.
Only there was one thing.
"Rampage…? This…?"
Sheina looking over here with her neck tilted was the only thing that bothered me slightly.