A/N: Please forgive me for not changing Haru to Bordeaux. I made the chapter long ago before I decided to make the change.
And due to network issues I decided to post this as soon as possible before i lose it again.
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Shizue leapt backward and settled into a firm stance, then she raised her sword high, then brought it down in a powerful downward slash.
"Inferno Flame!"
A massive torrent of fire erupted from her blade, surging forward and completely engulfing Haru.
Flames roared violently, filling the hall with searing heat.
For a brief moment, Haru's silhouette vanished within the inferno.
Then the fire dispersed.
Shizue's eyes widened in shock as Haru stood there, completely intact.
Not a single mark marred his body.
What shocked her even more were the bat-like wings folded tightly around him, having shielded him from the attack.
Haru slowly moved the wings aside and let out a chuckle.
A wide grin spread across his face.
"What intense firepower," he said appreciatively.
"The superior fire spirit, Ifrit, I presume."
Shizue's expression hardened. "You're a demon."
"You are correct," Haru replied calmly.
"You weren't affected by the flames at all," she said.
Haru chuckled again. "Oh no," he replied lightly. "That hurt really bad."
His smile sharpened.
"I'll have to pay it back tenfold."
He vanished.
In the next instant, Haru lunged toward her at blinding speed.
"As I thought," he spoke mid-charge. "Ifrit is being restrained by that mask, isn't he? I sense strange magic from it. If I break it I can bring him out right?"
Shizue realized too late where he was aiming.
Her mask.
She had no time to react.
Just as Haru's hand was about to strike it, his arm was violently cut aside.
He was forced backward, skidding six steps away before stopping.
Sweat trickled down his face.
"Infinity!" he shouted.
"That mask has the property of Infinity!"
Internally, he cursed himself.
Of course… I forgot.
The same thing happened to Diablo.
How could I forget such a detail?
He straightened and smiled again.
"I see now why you're able to suppress Ifrit. How interesting."
Shizue, however, was panicking.
He's fast. Way too fast.
I couldn't react at all.
If this battle continues, I'll be forced to use Ifrit.
But can I afford to do that in a place like this?
Haru chuckled, clearly entertained.
"Interesting… truly interesting," he said.
"The Cardinal World is a very interesting place."
His eyes gleamed.
"I want to stay here forever. I want to find everything that is interesting."
Shizue tightened her grip on her sword.
"You know now that I house a superior spirit," she said.
"You may not know this, but spirits have an advantage against demons."
She hesitated, then added, "I'm sure you don't want this to continue any longer."
Internally, she pleaded.
I have to bluff.
Please… just leave.
Haru laughed loudly.
An almost sinister, menacing smile spread across his face.
"I remember Noir telling me something like that," he said.
"But I refuse to believe it. I can definitely beat a Superior Spirit"
His voice was filled with excitement.
"I want to fight him. I want to fight Ifrit."
Shizue's heart sank.
Oh no… this demon is crazy.
There's no way to avoid a fight.
She began to move, her hand rising toward her mask.
Then Haru raised his hand.
"But it's fine," he said. "I can see you're conflicted."
He tilted his head slightly.
"My guess is you can't control Ifrit and you're afraid of letting him out and having him run wild, which would cause collateral damage."
He turned away.
"I'll leave for now," he continued. "As i too don't want our fight disrupted by outside forces."
His voice hardened just before he vanished.
"But this isn't over. Not even close."
"I will have my fight with Ifrit."
With that, Haru teleported out of the hall.
Internally, Shizue let out a quiet sigh of relief.
If that fight had gone on any longer, she would have truly been forced to release Ifrit.
Murmurs spread through the hall as the adventurers began chattering about the battle they had just witnessed.
"He blocked her flames…"
"That speed, was that really a demon?"
"I've never seen anything like that…"
Just then, Couger moved to Shizue's side.
"Shizue-san… are you okay?"
Shizue looked at him and nodded.
"Don't worry, Couger-san. I'm fine."
Couger exhaled in relief, then his expression hardened.
"Good. But Shizue… that demon is bad news. You need to leave this country immediately."
"No," Shizue replied calmly. "I'm staying right here."
Couger frowned.
"But—"
"The demon was kind enough to postpone the fight," she continued.
"So that we could fight somewhere without people."
Couger clenched his fist.
"But Shizue-san… what if that demon—"
He hesitated, then spoke quietly.
"What if he kills you? I'm no rookie adventurer Shizue-san, I know you were struggling against him."
"I know," Shizue said softly.
"But I don't have a choice."
She lowered her gaze slightly.
"If I run now and he finds me again in another crowded place… he might not be so kind next time."
Couger sighed deeply.
"This hero complex of yours is going to be the death of you someday."
Shizue chuckled.
"Besides… I have my own reasons for wanting to meet him again."
Her thoughts drifted back to his words. When he said you can call me Ebicha.
Without a doubt… that's Japanese.
If I've really found another Japanese person here, then I have to ask him she thought.
Couger noticed her expression and sighed again.
"Alright. I won't try to convince you anymore."
He met her eyes.
"Just… be careful."
Shizue smiled.
"I don't need to be careful, Couger-san. I have a trump card up my sleeve."
At that moment, the minister approached with several guards.
He bowed deeply.
"Shizue Izawa. Thank you very much for your help in dealing with that demon."
Shizue waved her hands hurriedly.
"Please, there's no need to bow. I only did what I had to do."
The minister straightened and smiled.
"You are very humble, Ms. Shizue. To think such a powerful demon was among us and we didn't even notice… what a blunder."
"No," Shizue replied.
"I suspect that demon was an Archdemon."
She continued,
"If that's the case, blending in seamlessly would be easy. I didn't even notice his presence until he spoke."
"I see," the minister said thoughtfully.
"Well then, Ms. Shizue, you must be exhausted after fighting such a foe."
He gestured politely.
"Please allow us to prepare a room for you to rest."
Shizue replied "You don't need to go through so much trouble, Minister—"
"Please," he cut in gently.
"Allow us. It's the least we can do."
Shizue hesitated, then nodded.
"…Fine. I appreciate your hospitality."
The minister smiled warmly.
"Please, follow me."
Together, they walked toward the sleeping quarters.
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Elsewhere
Haru stood atop a tree branch in the forest outside the country.
He stared at where his arm had been severed.
"…It's not growing back," he muttered.
"Well, that's to be expected. I'm made of magicules and I touched an anti-magic mask."
He exhaled slowly.
"But Ifrit… I'm so close."
A grin spread across his face.
"I'll kick your butt and free Shizue from her suffering."
He paused, eyes narrowing with amusement.
"And maybe then… she'll owe me a favor."
He chuckled softly.
"Sorry, Rimuru." He continued, "It seems you'll have to find a different body for yourself."
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