"Cecilia, this situation is entirely my fault."
I had assumed Mirror was down for the count and completely let down my guard.
"Youki-san, you are not the only one at fault. I wasn't able to do anything either."
Cecilia replied apologetically while healing Tiel-chan's injuries.
No, I was the stupid one here. Lately, I'd been having so much fun that I'd become complacent. My body had the cheat power of infinite magic. But in the end… that’s all it was.
Like this, could I protect the girl I liked? Did I really think everything would always turn out all right? This world was not as kind as I had once thought. Could I still change this situation if I needed to? No, not if, I had to.
I was determined to meet that end.
"Cecilia, the villagers aren’t likely to come around here, right?"
"I don't think they would."
"Tiel-chan passed out from the pain, and the gargoyle seems like he'll be fine. And anyone else in the area...?"
I looked around to make sure no one else was there. I didn't sense any other presence, so it should be fine.
"Youki-san, what are you planning?"
"Isn't it obvious? I'm gonna beat the shit out of Mirror. Also, I'm gonna make sure he doesn't underestimate monsters ever again; I’ll give him a bit of a trauma. Don't worry, I won't kill him."
Although I'd beat him within an inch of his life.
I'd always stopped them before, but now I let my horn and wings regrow. I used magic to boost my physical strength, giving myself more muscle mass. My shirt got shredded, but that worked in my favor. I couldn't change my face, but I could wrap my scarf around the lower half of it to hide it.
The finishing touch was a wig Cecilia had given me to help disguise myself before. I had brought it along just in case, and was thankful I did.
My previous appearance didn't hold a candle to this one, I was like a completely different person, a monster standing over 2 meters (6'5") tall.
"Y-Youki-san...?!"
Cecilia was surprised by my new form. Maybe she'd be captivated once I returned.
"Okay, I'm off. Take care of Tiel-chan."
I imparted her with those words in a lower voice than usual, then flapped my wings and headed for the woods to search for Mirror. My usual Chuuni didn't even rear its ugly head, I was perfectly calm as I carefully searched the woods for him.
I heightened my perception of smell and sound for a few minutes.
Spotting Mirror from the air, I swooped down in front of him.
"Tch! Why the hell is a demon in a place like this?!"
All right, he didn't recognize me. He viewed me as an enemy and drew his sword. Really, another artificial magic sword?
"Hey, I already had my fun for the day and would like to get home. So hurry up and meet your maker!"
Mirror slashed at me, but using my wings I got behind him, grabbed his head, and slammed him into the ground.
"Gubwaa?!"
He made a weird sound. I flapped my wings to put a little distance between us. I could have taken that chance to beat the hell out of him as he lay defenceless on the ground, but that wasn’t how I wanted to do this. Mirror slowly rose and scowled at me.
"Goddammit, ‘the fuck is wrong with you?!"
"Scum, you have the gall to take the arm and wings of my subordinate, the gargoyle? That gargoyle is my loyal servant. For the wounds you have wrought upon my servant, you deserve certain death."
I came up with a good lie on the spot to beat the ever living shit out of Mirror. Mirror clicked his tongue and threw a baton into the air. A torrent of light erupted from the baton, lighting up the area. So, that baton was the source of the light he had used to escape earlier. Too bad, I wasn't stupid enough to fall for the same trick twice.
"《Bright Eater》"
The spell was a dark type magic that devoured light. Light-hating monsters used the spell on their dwelling to clear away said light, but it could also be used in cases like this.
The flash quickly disappeared, revealing Mirror stupidly trying to escape. With is back wide open I quickly closed in on him while lengthening and strengthening my claws, then carved a large X into his back.
"Gaaah?! Why did the 《Flash Baton》's light..."
He looked like he was about to fall, but somehow managed to maintain his balance. Even if he'd fallen, his punishment still wasn't over.
"It's gonna be a bitch, but I gotta fight."
For whatever reason he was grinning ear to ear. First he was running, now he thinks he can win? If so, he's quite the optimistic guy. This time I'm a demon at full power. Although since he doesn't know it’s me, it doesn't really matter all that much.
"Just diiee!"
Mirror drew his sword and came at me. Again, brazenly coming in from the front like an idiot; he really needed a combat lesson. Flying around behind him, I grasped his sword arm and mercilessly broke it.
"Geh...?!"
Mirror managed to suppress his voice without screaming, dropped his sword, then put some distance between us. I was rather impressed that he didn't scream.
"Shit fuck...why is there still such a strong demon around after the Demon Lord was already killed?"
He glared at me while grabbing his broken arm. If he still had enough energy to glare, he was still fine. I had no intention of giving him any time to rest. I drew in close and delivered a powerful kick to his abdomen, sending him flying like a soccer ball. He only stopped when he collided with a tree.
"I am yet to be sated. Scum, you would be wise to prepare yourself."
I needed to get back to Cecilia soon, so it was time to end it. I was no longer the human Youki, but the demon Youki, and I could be as cruel as I desired. Time to beat him within an inch of his life.
Mirror took a dagger into his unbroken hand, and came at me again. He was faster than before, and I deduced the dagger was the source of his enhanced speed. Still, it was useless against me.
Punching him with all my strength, he slammed into the ground hard enough to cause a small tremor. He stopped moving, and I used that time to fly into the air, then, using the momentum of the fall, I drove my fist into his gut. I could hear the sound of bones breaking. He coughed up blood, so a number of organs must have been injured.
As Mirror collapsed, I proceeded to break both his legs, along with every single weapon I found on his person.
I then grabbed Mirror by the scruff of his neck, and used my wings to take off into the sky. After a bit, I reached our destination.
"Gahah... Where...are you taking, me...?!"
I thought he'd resist, but it took all he had just to speak. He had injuries to one arm and both legs, broken bones, and damaged organs. I had also destroyed all his remaining weapons. He was in no condition to fight.
"......"
Our destination was a river.
Previously, Cecilia told me it'd be a good idea to learn more about the geography of the land, so I had studied a bit. If I remembered right, this river lied near the border of the Gallis Empire.
"Hey, it couldn't be, you..."
"You are not even worthy to die by my hand, cur."
"Ah, ahahahaha, don't fuck with me! I'll never forgive you for this! This humiliation..."
I let go of the grip I had on his neck. With a crazy smile on his face, Mirror dropped into the river.
If he was lucky, he'd wind up back in his country. I promised Cecilia I wouldn't kill him after all. I made sure he fell into the river, then hurried back.
"Phew..."
After I landed, I reverted my muscles back to normal. My jacket and pants were shredded, but it couldn't be helped. ...I wondered what the villagers would think happened when I returned? I was worried they might think me a pervert.
"...Oh whups, almost forgot."
I broke off my horn and removed my wings. It hurt like a bitch, but I endured it.
Finally, I removed the wig and put it in the tattered pocket of my jacket. I was back to being the human Youki.
"I'd best be getting back to Cecilia now."
After completely crushing Mirror, I ran back to my beloved Cecilia.