The Devil Does Not Need to Be Defeated

What followed was several more completely normal days.

In those few days, Shien and the rest who where living at the Latrard home did the same that they always did.

Shien was no different. Every day, he'd either follow along Diere as she went out and pulled some mobs to grind while sometimes helping her out, or he'd be called over by a few letters from a certain princess and end up keeping her company. At night, he'd even had a pretty girl following him into the baths, so his days were pretty comfortable.

However, it's not like there were no changes near Shien.

At the very least, compared to the previous days, these days there's the addition a little cutie following alongside him.

That obviously being Airi.

"Where are you going?"

"I'm going with you."

Those are probably the most often used words that Airi has said these passing days.

That little girl seemed to be seriously intending to do as she said and planned to properly observe Shien. Or rather, maybe monitor him. She'd always follow Shien along wherever he goes, over and over, back and forth. Besides during the times when they're sleeping, bathing, or when Shien's entering the palace, she spent practically all other time sticking next to Shien.

She had even followed along when Shien was sneakily following behind Diere to keep her safe. Plus, she even ended up getting interested after seeing what Shien was doing and decided to start copying him in helping Diere in secret.

Basically, it's just throwing rocks at those people who are actual threats to Diere in order to make that that they couldn't attack her.

Only, unlike Shien, Airi never learned the [Throwing] skill. Thus, when it was her turn to throw rocks at people, she ended up nearly causing a major mess.

After all, lacking the [Throwing] skill, Airi obviously didn't have any skill to speak of when it came to her throws. It was all just her throwing with her brute strength.

Those hits, putting aside for the moment whether or not they hit, stuck with terrifying power equivalent to a rocket. When thrown, it caused visible vibrations in the air, and the air itself turned hot from the friction. Anything struck would result in an explosive blast, blowing everyone nearby away. It was seriously terrifying.

Of course, if not for the fact that it didn't hit due to inaccuracy, then it wouldn't have ended with simply being terrifying.

Therefore, after that incident, Shien strictly forbade the little girl in question from throwing rocks, which made her quite upset.

"Here I thought I was already pretty amazing, but now that I've arrived at the Capital, I seemed to have met some even more amazing people."

First was Lucy. Then came Airi. Both of those girls were terrifyingly strong, to the point where Shien felt like he had no chance of winning against them.

This was especially true for Airi.

When it came to Lucy, although Shien didn't feel like he could easily win, he didn't feel like he'd easily lose either, so she's more like a worthy opponent.

But Airi's another matter.

That girl's just plain unfathomable. Even now, Shien still hasn't detected her magic power. It gave Shien the feeling like he had finally found someone even stronger than himself. He didn't feel like he had any chance of winning against her at all.

This was also the first real person that Shien has met that he didn't have any chance of winning against.

Not even the legendary class knight Aldia that he met before gave Shien that feeling.

But Airi did.

There's no way that Shien would dare to underestimate that feeling.

Due to the existence of the [War God] skill, Shien's fighting ability was high to start with. Since he felt like he couldn't win against Airi, then that was likely the simple reality.

Thus, Shien was certain that Airi was stronger than him, and not by just a little either. It's hard to say if he could win even if he fully unsealed the Holy Sword.

This made Shien confirm once again that Airi was definitely some kind of hidden big shot. The unbelievably super big kind at that.

"It looks like I need to seriously get stronger."

This seriously provoked Shien, so he started researching on how to learn new skills or magic to advance his strength to the next level.

However, just as Shien was getting ready to do some grinding, a matter came up that interrupted his newfound determination.

"Get ready. We're going to the palace for the audience."

That day, Vivian brought back that news.

Indeed.

After about a week or so, Vivian and the rest had finally finished their reports to the palace and were getting ready to enter the palace for a royal audience.

The ones named for the audience were as follows – Balon, Vivian, Alrith, Leon, and Shien.

Balon was the representative of all the knights who came from Lamdrion.

Vivian, Alrith, and Leon each represented their own respective adventuring parties.

As for Shien, since he's the main character in this matter as well as being the one with the main accomplishments, he would also have to join this particular audience.

No one else were named, so they can't join the audience. All they can do is wait outside for the news.

Thus, Shien followed Vivian to the palace.

…

The palace. Waiting room.

Everyone who was awaiting the audience were gathered here.

"Long time no see."

Leon stood up and greeted them. However, his gaze would continue to wander to Shien with a strange look in his eyes.

Balon just nodded, but his eyes were also focused on Shien, and with complicated feelings at that.

The scene before him completely bewildered Shien.

"What are you looking at me like that for?"

Shien had a completely confused look on his face.

Balon and Leon just went silent.

It was Alrith who instead came toward Shien with a wondering expression and a strange smile on his face.

"I never would have though. You little brat had only been in the Capital for this short amount of time, but you ended up making quite the name for yourself. Man, it seriously scared me you know."

Hearing that, Shien had more or less understood what was going on.

As expected.

"How'd you end up getting so close to that peerless princess?" Alrith was in full gossip mongering mode as he asked in both admiration and envy, "Teach me, Shien. You know, when I saw that princess show herself at the palace, I was completely stunned. I didn't come back to myself until after the crowd had dispersed, and I would end up dreaming of her every night these past few days. However, it's you who managed to get close to her. You have no idea how much I admired you for that."

Alrith just very honestly said those words. It even made ended up making Vivian, who was listening at the side, laugh unconsciously.

Balon and Leon seemed to also have remembered when they saw the princess show herself, and a dazed expression came over their eyes.

It was especially true for Leon, whose attraction and fascination was practically pouring out of him. It was obvious that he really was completely enamored by that princess.

Thanks to that, Leon's gaze toward Shien was quite different from before. Besides admiration and envy, there was even a small hint of hostility.

Seeing that, Shien had no words.

Really, it just proves the saying that good news don't get out, while bad news will spread out for miles.

However, is that really a bad thing?

Hn. It definitely is.

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