Suzuki is Cute Even In A Savage World

Takashi tried to find a shield to hide behind, but Duma rushed forward again without giving him any time to take cover. The ferocious monster's power made Takashi impatient, and he staggered to his feet.

"Ki ke ke ke kike ke!"

(Wai… this… Not goo–!)

"L-Lord Hero–!?"

Excella shouted. Just before Duma was about to take Takashi's life, his body got struck by an impact. He was knocked down by someone or something and tumbled across the deck.

"…eh?"

Takashi noticed Aina lying on top of him. He realized she had saved him from Duma's charge by slamming him with her body.

"T-Thank you, Aina!"

"Ouh Ouh…!"

Aina's mouth peeks out from under the hood, smiling with humility. Duma turned around, glared at Aina and Excella, and clicked her tongue.

"H-Huh. Those guys are a h-hindrance. I am not interested in human women. C-Can I perhaps use them as live feed for the undead?…"

The undead on deck started moaning and groaning.

"uOooUgGhhH! HooraaaaAAyyYY!"

"Food FoooOOHhhoodD!"

A hot, searing sensation spread through Takashi's heart as he watched Excella and Aina back away in fear from Duma's words and the undead's reaction.

(Feed, was it? I won't let you put a finger on either of them!)

"Enough already! Duma!"

A passionate feeling overflowed from the depths of Takashi's heart as he shouted to get her attention. Duma was certainly strong. Takashi's unique ability does not work that well on her either.

(That's true... But!)

"My companions, I will never let you hurt them!"

Takashi's determination as a hero overcame the fear of Duma in his heart. In order to protect both of them, Takashi stood in front of Excella and Aina. From behind him, he heard Excella's distraught voice.

"Lord Hero! Pritis is counter-productive on Duma! The prettier you make yourself look to her, the more she'll want to turn you into a doll!"

Takashi glanced back at Excella and smiled.

"It'll be okay. Just as Duma changed forms, so does my cuteness have many forms."

"C-Cuteness' Forms… was it?"

Excella couldn't help but slowly repeat his words, irrespective of their current situation.

Despite his predicament, Takashi was surprisingly calm. Perhaps his strong desire to protect his companions gave him such power.

As Takashi looked calmly at Duma, he recalled the past of his training with his master, Leelou.

"Suzuki. From now on, you will have to fight against various kinds of demons. Some of them will find you so cute that they might want to eat you... in different forms. Some might even want to stuff your hide and turn you into a decoration, etcetera. There could be beings, who have such fetishes and desires, that you might encounter in the future."

"I-If I fight against something like that, I'm finished!"

In contrast to Takashi's panicked reaction, Leelou smiled.

"Even the most heinous inhuman fiend cannot easily strike down a crying baby."

"A crying baby…?"

"Pritis is not just about the cuteness that makes demons' hearts flutter. There is also a Pritis that appeals to the sentimental heart of monsters, evoking pity."

"Do you mean 'Tearful Eyes'?"

"There is more than just Tearful Eyes. There are several similar techniques in the 48 gestures of Pritis. Don't you remember?"

"Eh-uhm…"

Takashi, who was not yet proficient in Pritis, could not think of any immediately. After lightly smacking Takashi on the back of his head, Leelou laughed and said.

"A series of attacks consisting of several Pritis gestures with similar effects. That's what I call [Flow]. Use a series of attacks based on [Flow] to deal with demons with special dispositions."

After recalling his training with Leelou, Takashi kept an eye on Duma, who was in front of him, and said to Excella.

"I'll finish off Duma with 'Flow of Melancholy'!"

Takashi declared in a serious-sounding voice, which he believed was a little bit cool.

"’F-Flow of Melancholy,' was it? I'm not sure what that means, but… it sounds kind of cool!"

"YEAH! Leave it to me, Excella!"

Duma had obviously heard Takashi and Excella's conversation. She then laughed out loud.

"Ke ke kiki ke! Y-You're going to finish me off? N-No one, can break this me!"

"I don't intend to break you."

"Ah? W-Well, then, h-how are you going to beat me?!"

"The one and only unparalleled technique, surpassing both magical power and offensive power. That is Pritis. It'll work on the deep-seated conscience that lies asleep inside your chest."

Suzuki responded while pointing toward Duma at the end of his words.

"Kike! Kike ke ke ke ke ke ke ke ke ke ke ke!"

Duma spread her arms wide, her laughter echoing out in the sea.

"P-Puppet Dolls!! DON'T have a conscienceeeeeeeeeee!!"

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