No Damage 16

Test

16. For The Upcoming Great War Between Gods And Demons

I want to become an adventurer.

When I returned home to announce my decision, my parents didn't oppose it.

It seems like they expected me to choose this path.

It's a dangerous profession, so I thought they would be a bit more against it, but surprisingly, they just said,

"Go and do your best."

That was all they said.

They also asked me to bring souvenirs when I came back home.

No, I'm not going on a trip.

While thinking that, I noticed my dad and mom were slightly teary-eyed as we talked, so I refrained from teasing them.

They do have worries and concerns.

But it also conveyed to me that they respect my decision.

Thank you, Mom and Dad.

The next day.

I bid farewell to my parents, neighbors, and classmates, and set off with Lilith and others.

To become an adventurer, I first need to pass the entrance exam at the guild headquarters.

I headed to the capital city where the headquarters is located, with them on a magic carriage.

By the way, a magic carriage is a carriage pulled by artificially created magical horses using magic.

It's much faster than a regular carriage and requires almost no rest.

The carriage also incorporates cutting-edge magical technology, so there's hardly any vibration.

Although the fee is ridiculously high, it might not be expensive for adventurers like Lilith and the others.

The carriage seats four people, Lilith and I sitting next to each other, Sarome across from us, and Alice next to her.

"Box lunch, box lunch~♪"

Sarome sings cheerfully while eating a sandwich for lunch.

My parents made the lunch box.

"Speaking of which, Haruto-kun, how did you learn magic?"

Sarome asked between bites of her sandwich.

You've got mayonnaise on your face, Sarome.

I thought to myself, refraining from commenting.

"I'm curious too. A defense magic that can withstand attacks from Class A demons and dragons consecutively is impossible for me." 

Alice said, looking intrigued.

Um, how should I explain this?

As I struggled to think of an answer,

"Well, it's not that important. We don't need to delve into that." 

Lilith came to my rescue for some reason.

Sarome narrowed her eyes in suspicion.

"Hmm...? Could it be that it's not good for us to talk to Haruto-kun?"

"Well, not that it's bad, but maybe it's not something we should pry into too much... Haruto's power is, well..."

Lilith stuttered and stumbled over her words.

"I see, you're jealous."

"I-I'm not jealous!"

Lilith's face turned red for some reason.

"At least you're starting to be interested."

"It seems like spring has finally come for Lilith-chan... the budding of her first love!"

"Both of you, I mean, I, well, umm..."

Fumbling, Lilith's face grew redder and redder.

And then, a few more hours passed.

We departed around noon, so evening was approaching.

Alice and Sarome were sleeping peacefully, leaning on each other.

Although the carriage hardly vibrated due to magical technology, the slight movement strangely induced drowsiness.

I was starting to doze off too.

"...Haruto, I have something I want to ask."

Suddenly, Lilith leaned closer.

The soft touch of her arm against mine, the silky texture of her hair.

And the faint breath against my skin made me wide awake, dispelling my drowsiness instantly.

"W-what?"

Even my voice trembled as I answered.

"You said you awakened to defensive magic when you fought against a dragon, but..."

Oh, I did mention something like that.

I wasn't sure how much I should reveal about my skills—whether it's okay to tell others.

"S-so, yeah."

I nodded ambiguously.

Lilith leaned in even closer.

Her deep blue eyes and unfathomable depths drew my gaze in.

My heart raced.

"Your power, could it be not magic but—"

Squish, squish.

Wait, something soft and bouncy had been hitting my upper arm for a while now.

Thanks to the faint vibration of the carriage, a pleasant sensation was transmitted to me.

It was truly blissful.

I couldn't focus on the conversation at all like this.

"Are you listening, Haruto?"

Lilith puffed her cheeks.

"Oh, sorry."

"Hey, look!"

Suddenly, Sarome exclaimed, interrupting our conversation.

She must have woken up at some point.

We turned our gaze to the window of the carriage.

In front of us was a huge castle wall.

And numerous towering spires reaching for the sky.

"That's—"

My destination.

The royal capital, Gran Adonis.

※

There, only jet black spread.

A castle composed entirely of black.

At its pinnacle, a magnificent hall.

Seated upon the throne is the ruler of this world—the king of the demon realm.

"Are we all here, six Demon Generals, my trusted aides."

The Demon King declared in a resonant voice.

At his feet were six shadows.

Each one is a powerful demon possessing the strongest forces in the Demon Realm.

"Why have you urgently summoned us, my king?"

"I sensed it in the human world. Faintly, but I felt the waves of divine power."

The Demon King declared solemnly.

"It seems to be the power of the guardian goddess Ilfaria. The presence of a dragon and a demon vanished consecutively."

Ilfaria... It's the name of the detestable goddess who troubled many demon armies in the ancient war of gods and demons.

"The gods are forbidden from directly exerting power against demons."

"Are they granting power to humans?"

"Is it a restraint on us, or perhaps a provocation?"

"Either way, it's quite cunning."

"We cannot ignore this."

To the murmuring Demon Generals, the Demon King spoke with resolute determination.

"Yes."

They immediately straightened their postures.

In this demon realm, the king's will is absolute.

"My king, command me. Command me to vanquish that entity." 

The largest shadow among the six, rising.

He was a warrior clad in black armor from head to toe.

"You may rely on me, Gyrasvrim. With my direct magical prowess, I can send the Demon Generals to the human world, but it won't last long."

About a hundred years ago, the sealed passage between the demon realm and the human realm. It's known as the 'Black Phantom Cavern Syllega'—was reopened.

Since then, demons and magical beasts could freely travel to and from the human world.

However, the stronger the individual, the more restrictions they face in the human world.

It was an odious constraint set at the end of the previous great war.

Even for Demon Generals, second only to the Demon King in power, their time in the human realm over the past hundred years had been brief.

Nevertheless, they had brought about enough calamity to destroy several countries.

"Fear not, my king. It won't take long."

Gyrasvrim's words were brimming with confidence.

"Let me shatter everything with my sword."

At his declaration, renowned for possessing the strongest offensive power among the demon generals, the demon king nodded in satisfaction.

"Then, I entrust it to you. Regardless of the gods' intentions—crush them all."

"Without fail."

With a clank of armor, Gyrasvrim bowed deeply.

From his throne, the demon king looked down upon him, strategizing.

Actions must be taken with caution.

Within the confines of that odious 'restraint' set by that detestable entity.

They would consume human fear, and gather strength.

Eventually, they would destroy even the gods.

It was the long-standing desire of the demon realm, unfulfilled in ancient battles.

To ensure victory for the demon army this time, they must proceed methodically, step by step.

"Carve your path, Gyrasvrim." 

The demon king declared calmly.

"The first step of the impending great war between gods and demons."