Takumi and Kureha Clyret weren't the only ones heading toward Branicca. Along a forest trail, a girl draped in a tattered black cloak trudged forward, her crimson eyes weary yet determined.
After the new Demon Lord's rise to power, the purge began—those who carried the blood of the former Demon Lord's kin were branded as traitors and slaughtered without mercy.
She was one of the few survivors. A descendant of the Black-Wing Tribe, and one of the last remaining Demon Lord Candidates.
"I have to hurry… anywhere will do. I just need a place to hide."
Her name was Eve Reese. Exhaustion dulled her senses, her legs trembling as she staggered toward the distant city lights.
Hunger gnawed at her stomach. Fatigue blurred her vision. Even knowing she risked exposure by entering a city, she no longer had the strength to care.
…
Meanwhile, Takumi and his group—who should have already arrived at Branicca—were still encamped in the wilderness.
Inside a small tent, the night was filled with sounds that had nothing to do with rest.
Setsuna, ever the loyal beast-girl, was once again proving her devotion in her own… vigorous way. Every drop of strength that could make her stronger—she devoted entirely to her Master.
Anna, though not a fighter, had also joined in to strengthen herself, claiming that everyone deserved a chance to grow stronger.
And before long, Takumi had completely lost restraint, summoning Ellen and Flare from the Interdimensional Realm to join the chaos.
"Our schedule's been seriously delayed. Setsuna… what do you think your punishment should be?"
Slap!
The crisp sound echoed in the tent, followed by Setsuna's soft whimper.
"Mmm♡~ I'm sorry, Lord Takumi~ It was Setsuna's fault♡~"
She confessed sweetly, her tail swishing as she knelt to clean him up, hoping to earn his forgiveness.
Takumi couldn't help but sigh, stroking her furry, heated ears. He'd already "kicked the monk" a dozen times tonight—punishing her any further would just be cruelty.
"Lord Takumi, I was at fault too~"
"Um, m-me too, Master…"
Flare and Ellen crawled forward shyly to help Setsuna with the cleanup.
Looking at the once-proud princess, now the gentle and obedient Ellen, Takumi couldn't suppress a satisfied grin.
"Alright, that's enough. Everyone rest. We're leaving tomorrow—no slacking off this time."
"Yes♡~!" x4
Their voices blended together as the tent once again filled with movement. To Takumi, even this was a kind of training.
With internal and external gravity compression active around the clock, every act burned through his energy reserves severalfold.
Four women together could normally only drain a tenth of his vitality—yet under this intense pressure, they had somehow managed to consume half of it.
For the first time in ages, Takumi actually felt tired.
"Maybe… being a little exhausted isn't such a bad thing."
He muttered softly, finally allowing his eyes to close. Even in sleep, the gravitational field around his body never weakened—but he had grown accustomed to it.
…
When morning came, the five of them continued their journey under the warm sun until the grand city of Branicca came into view.
The scene of humans and demons coexisting was both lively and strangely peaceful.
In this world, demons were essentially demi-humans capable of commanding magical creatures. They were not truly different from humans—and there was no barrier preventing interbreeding between the races.
As long as neither side held deep grudges, coexistence was more than possible.
"The Demon Lord of this world…" Takumi murmured. "He's probably just another pawn—created to stir up endless conflict."
He led his four companions into the bustling streets of Branicca. Everywhere they looked, humans and demons bartered, laughed, and mingled.
Setsuna's ears perked up in amazement. "Unbelievable… they really do live together so well."
Anna nodded in wonder, her farmer's heart overwhelmed by the liveliness of the city.
Grrr—
Their stomachs growled in unison. After fighting through the night and traveling since dawn, none of them had eaten much. It was already midday.
"Master Takumi, I'm hungry~" Ellen whimpered, tugging at his sleeve with watery eyes.
He chuckled, ruffling her hair. "Alright, alright. Let's find something to eat."
He guided the group to a nearby tavern—part restaurant, part bar, filled with the aroma of food and laughter.
"Looks busy. That's usually a good sign."
The moment they entered, a curvy waitress hurried over with a polite smile.
"Welcome! I'm sorry, but there aren't any free tables left. Would you mind sharing one?"
"Sure," Takumi said casually. "Bring us your house specialties. All of them."
Setsuna leaned forward eagerly. "That one, and that one too! Big portions for everything!"
The waitress laughed and led them to a round table already occupied by a lone patron—a red-faced middle-aged man nursing his drink.
The man looked up and burst out laughing. "Well, aren't you a lucky lad, walking in with four beauties!"
"Haha, you flatter me," Takumi said with a grin, sitting down. "We're new here. Tell me about the city—and I'll cover your tab."
The man slapped his thigh and laughed heartily. "Deal!"
Between gulps of ale, he began recounting Branicca's peculiar history.
"Ten years ago, when those bastards abandoned us, the Demon Army invaded. We should've all been slaughtered or enslaved… but our lord negotiated with them. Now we live in peace—but it came at a price."
"What kind of price?" Takumi asked, intrigued.
The man sighed, lowering his mug.
"Money—and blood. In demon territory, human blood is valuable nourishment. So every month, we give them a quota. They, in turn, work our fields and keep the beasts at bay. Sounds fair, maybe… but truth is, we're livestock."
The tavern fell momentarily quiet.
The girls looked uneasy—especially Anna, who had just begun to admire the coexistence she'd seen outside.
Takumi, however, merely nodded in thought.
After all, surviving under conquest was mercy in itself. Compared to feudal kingdoms that bled their people dry through taxes, a bit of blood each month was a lighter price to pay.
At least here, they left you with your bones intact.
Just then, a frail voice interrupted.
"Excuse me… could I buy some food? Something warm, please. Just a little…"
A girl in a worn cloak stood before them, her long black hair framing her face, pointed ears peeking through. Her hands trembled as she offered a single copper coin.
The waitress accepted it with an awkward smile and hurried to the kitchen.
The girl exhaled quietly, relief softening her expression as she sat beside Takumi's group.
Takumi's gaze lingered on her—her crimson eyes, her delicate features, the faint aura of demonic power surrounding her.
Then, he smiled.
Found her.
The one he'd been looking for all along—the Demon Lord Candidate, Eve Reese.
...
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