Battle War; Magic, Sword and Dragon

The Calm Before Storms

In the southwestern corner of Phoenix, there is a place called Niphous. This place is filled with unique snacks and cheap and delicious snacks. But Niphous is more famous for having many stores that sell and make food that can not be found in any region on the Orladist continent.

In one of the taverns, a beautiful blue-haired woman enjoys a hawker known as Takoyaki.

"Umm.. I haven't tasted this food in a long time.hmm.it really makes me think of the past."

The seller smiles a little when he sees a satisfied customer.

"But as good as anything is made, but this recipe is already much different to the last one I remember. Not that I don't enjoy it, but it's not a true takoyaki flavor."

"Aha ha. You're right, miss. For people who first enjoy takoyaki will say that this food is made perfectly, but in fact this is just a copy of a food called Takoyaki."

The seller flipped the takoyaki that was almost ripe. From smooth movements and without any mistakes proves the seller is experienced in making the best and most delicious takoyaki.

"But how do you know? I remember every customer who came to this store and you were the first one here, right? But from your words you've eaten takoyaki before. Could you be my father's customer?"

The girl only smiled slightly while enjoying the hot takoyaki covered in soy sauce.

"If you're my father's customer, that means you were a kid enjoying my father's takoyaki. Honey, he died 7 years ago. Now I'm just making based on the recipe book he left behind. If you knew the true takoyaki flavor, could it be that I failed to make it?"

"..you didn't make it wrong, Uncle. But that doesn't mean you're following the wrong recipe your father made. It's just that the takoyaki that exist in that world and the takoyaki in this world have a different taste."

"What ...you mean?"

That's when the shop had another guest.

A shoulder-length blonde girl came with an annoyed face.

"Alice, here you are. Mou.. If you're here, why don't you tell me? And why are you taking your mana pressure off so untraceable? You must know how hard it is to find you if you do that."

"Here you go, why don't you sit down, Rim? If you're looking for me, haven't I left a message?"

Rim sighed and obeyed Alice. He then ate a freshly cooked takoyaki.

"Hmm. It's delicious. You should have come here."

"By the way, why don't you come in?"

Rim was surprised because she did not feel together with someone. He did not even feel the aura of someone outside the shop door. But for an Alice, knowing someone untraceable is normal.

Someone then went into the store. The figure was a small child who had sharp eyes and had an ominous aura.

The little boy sat down next to Alice and enjoyed the takoyaki.

"Alice, could it be that you know this ugly boy?"

"Don't tell me he's ugly. If you're disrespectful, maybe he'll kill you. If you don't want to happen, be more polite and don't disturb the atmosphere."

"Eh? This kid can't be that strong, right? Stop your jokes. Could it be that you have a knack for kufufu joking"

Alice was silent, a sign that she was not joking.

"Uh. Then I'm sorry, boy. You know, I'm pretty bad at getting to know other people."

The boy smiled a little. He was indeed a little scary, but that did not mean he did not forgive Rim for his irreverence.

"Have not seen you in a long time, Luci."

Of course Luci's just a nickname. The boy's identity is a demon known as Lucifer.

Even though he was defeated by Kuro at the time of the fight in Dragonia, it did not mean that he died. He was actually freed from the Cursed Arm that locked him up. This truth is only a few people know.

Of course as a payment he was free, he did not have much time to manifest himself in the Orladist continent. Or rather the world of the Orladist.

"Don't say as if we haven't seen each other in a long time, Queen. You know it's not a joke worth laughing at."

But Alice just smiled a little and went back to biting the takoyaki. He really enjoyed it.

"I came to you just to thank you for your blessing now I am free and can return to the demon world."

"Same, but is that all?"

"Of course not. I also want to make sure if your goal has still not changed? If you do, you already know what the consequences are, right?"

Alice was silent for a moment, then replied:

"..Sure oes. Are you gonna stop me?"

"No. I don't have to do it. It's just that I want you to rethink raising him. I don't want you to regret this at a later date."

"It's weird." Alice chuckled, but was full of intimidation. "You're a demon who likes despair and regret, but you're advising me on regret. Is it true that you're Lucifer accompanying the Demon King?"

The seller realized that his customer this time was more dangerous than he had expected. His body trembled and it made him unable to make takoyaki properly.

While Rim, he actually enjoyed the seller's expression more than the serious chatter of Alice and Lucifer.

"It is precisely because I am with him that I know what he will do if he rises. Haa. You humans really like to make me dizzy. Well, at least I've heard what you've decided."

Lucifer moved from his seat. He left, but before leaving, he turned to Alice.

"Queen, you must know what he's done for you. He saved you from a fate that no human being in the world could ever change. If you remember that, you'd better break your intentions. This is my first and last advice."

Lucifer left and was not seen again. Yet traces of monstrous mana pressure and dimensional distortions were still left in front of the tavern.

The terrifying mana pressure and dimensional distortion would make the Knights who were in the region come to investigate immediately what happened. That's when Alice and Rim will be known to the Knight. For ordinary witches, perhaps the decision to leave immediately was the right decision, but Alice simply fell silent and went back to enjoying the food that made her reminisce about the past.

".......it's no different than back then."

For the umpteenth time, Alice remembers a past that will never return.

💠💠💠

The sky is starting to blacken. The lights that illuminated the city slowly started to light up one by one giving off its light.

Night does not mean turning the city into a quiet and peaceful city. Precisely for some people, night is the time for them to immediately start the activity.

One of them was a young man named Froy Lastine. He is one of the members of Shadow Kinight who is tasked to collect information in secret and also serves as an eye.

In terms of fighting he was said to be experienced and often escaped life and death situations. He's one of the best of the best.

Just as usual, he was ordered to conduct an investigation. But the investigation this time is a little special because it comes from someone he did not expect. He felt honored to be given this task, which is why he would not regret if he died in carrying out his mission.

"..."

He is currently in a casino owned by a businessman who quite has a name. Cheating and dirty business done by the entrepreneur is not the target of his mission this time.

As long as governments have evidence of fraud and crime, governments can shut down whenever they want, but there are times when fraudulent and malicious entrepreneurs are left behind because the government still needs them.

If one company goes bankrupt, how many people lose their jobs? That is one of the reasons why the casino is still standing.

Froy plays one of the gambling machines. With his skill in playing, then he can get back his capital easily, but at the same time he must lose because to prevent too attract attention.

From his place, he could see a group of people enjoying liquor while playing a card game. Beautiful women accompany them and are ready to serve if something is needed.

Although it can be seen clearly, but that does not mean Froy can get what he wants easily. The room where they play is a specially made place. Any magic won't be able to penetrate that room and that means it's the most troublesome place for someone like Froy.

But being impenetrable by magic doesn't mean the place is perfect for secret talks.

Lenvible is an eyepiece that has a camera. He used one of the girls to be his eye. If you can't use magic, use something else instead. This is a way that can be said to be sneaky, but thanks to the development of Magitec, then this is a natural thing to do. Especially in the interests of the state.

From Lenvible to his left eye that was connected to one of the girls, he heard every word that was said.

[This time I'll beat you. Don't try to run because you always win, Gilbert.]

[Hey.we don't play to fight. We're here to have fun and forget about the problems. Can you not be too serious?]

[That's it. Just surrender. Berdi really hates defeat, which is why you should not win from him.]

[If you don't have the intention to win, why do you have to fight from the beginning? I'm not the kind of person who likes to give up just for such an obscure reason.]

[Yes yes, but you have to know when is the right time to win and lose. The wheel is always turning. Sometimes it is above sometimes it is below. That's why we have to be smart and know when to be below and above. Right Angelica?]

[Rather than discussing unimportant matters, how about discussing what we should do. Didn't Berdi have some difficulties? What if we help him?]

[It's a pity that I have to reject your good intentions. Even though I was in trouble, but everything has not deviated from the plan. But I'm following this plan because 'that guy' guarantees this plan will work. If he's lying, we're done.]

[Yes, but he has already shown the evidence. If this plan is successful, then our goal will be achieved. But of all that, nothing can stop us.]

[Ha ha. that's right. But don't we still need the last piece? You can get it, right, Gilbert?]

[It's not a big deal. Taking it is like taking candy from a baby. Isn't that the advantage of having a fiancee who is stupid and easy to use?]

Suddenly Froy got a sudden call. He picked up his phone and walked out of the casino before he could get the information he needed.

The reason why he placed more importance on the call was not because of getting a call from his boss, but getting a call from a more important person.

(Damn... Why didn't he tell me?)

In a hurry, Froy went to the place he was told.

💠💠💠

"Uh.... "

Laila woke up from her sleep. His head felt very dizzy and his body felt weak.

With the remaining energy, he rose. That's when he realized he wasn't wearing a thread.

"...if it's not wrong.I..."

He doesn't remember much about what happened. But he remembers that he fought Yui and lost. After that, how hard he tried to recall what happened, he would have a headache.

He glanced at the clock. It's midnight now. He could guess who had brought him to bed, yet he still did not understand why he was left completely naked.

"...si pervert that. At least give me some clothes. You stupid fool."

He then glanced beside her. He found a figure covered in a blanket.

".......?"

From his size, he knew that figure was not Kuro.

Slowly he opened the blanket that covered the figure. Then he found an unexpected figure. Surprisingly, that figure was just like her.

"..why is Yui also naked? Huh?"

A bad thought came up. No. gabe. If given the situation and circumstances, then that is the only explanation.

"I didn't expect you to attack Yui, Kuro. I won't forgive you for cheating‼"

Anger and sadness take over. She then got up and prepared to punish her future husband. For that, he first had to find her.

He knew Kuro was a perverted young man who might attack anyone, but he did not expect to attack his own half-brother. He couldn't believe Kuro would betray him like this.

"Scarfla.. uh...?"

But when he summoned the weapon he used to carry out his intention, he could not. His head was instantly dizzy and the energy instantly disappeared from his body.

He could not defend his body and eventually fell to the floor.

"Uh.. why....?"

He can't even move his finger. His eyes were heavy and wanted to close immediately, but with his strong determination, he tried to stay sober. Unfortunately, his body would not listen to Laila.

That's when he saw the figure. Because his gaze was blurred, he could not clearly see who the figure was.

"Geez, you're always forcing yourself."

Sighing, Yui lifted Laila's body back onto the bed and laid her down.

Yui then took water from the table near the bed.

"Drink, this will make you better."

After spending half a glass, Laila felt better. Not only that, he felt fresher and more energetic. The water Yui gave off was not ordinary water.

His view is clearer now. It was then that he saw an irritated and worried Yui.

"Don't force yourself. Your body is currently in a worse condition than when it experienced Mana Zero. So much is said."

Mana Zero was a condition where a magician almost lost the mana within his body due to using excessive event magic. Laila had experienced it before so she knew the current condition of her body. But when she finds out worse, Laila doesn't understand what Yui means.

"....before that, where is Kuro?"

"He went somewhere. Don't ask where she is because I don't know."

That's Kuro Laila knows. When he was sick, he left. But if he does, it means he entrusts himself to others. That was the reason why he was currently with Yui.

"If you want to ask me why I'm naked, it's because I have to treat you. Your wounds cannot be healed by ordinary magic, so I used my body to channel life energy directly to you. If I don't sign Emera, I don't know what happened to you. Really, I don't understand if it's luck or not."

"Oh. I thought you were..."

Yui's face immediately flushed red knowing what Laila was thinking.

"Don't guess what will never happen. Kuro won't touch me unless you tell him to do that." Yui wanted to cry, but she immediately came back cheerful. "So how about as a thank you for treating you, then let me conceive Kuro's older son. I promise I won't bother you anymore."

"..........you are still as usual. Uh..."

The pain came back.he felt he could faint at any time.

She knows Yui likes Kuro, but she doesn't mean she'll give up Kuro even if she has a good relationship with the girl. And just like Yui said, if she said to accept another girl, maybe Kuro would. For her sake.

But that means at the same time he will betray Kuro's trust and love.

"..try sitting for a minute."

Without asking much, Laila obeyed Yui's orders. Then Yui went behind Laila and hugged her from behind.

"Y-Yui?"

Laila could feel the warmth and tenderness of Yui's body. Especially in her small chest.

He often hugs Kuro in the same condition he was born in, but when hugged by a girl, it's a strange experience.

"..mmnn.. ah... Yui?"

Yui hugs and touches Laila's body in various places with gentleness. Yui occasionally kisses Laila's body erotically as if she is Kuro. If their servant came in and saw this, there would be a great misunderstanding, but Yui had ordered their servant not to interfere.

"Just calm. I am currently flowing my own energy to stabilize which energy is in your body. With your current condition, I think you'll need 3 whole days to do this."

"..ann.. B-but why are you.ahnn.."

Laila could feel her body slowly better, and for some reason she felt warm.  But she still could not accept Yui's treatment of her body.

He sighed and let out an erotic voice that he never showed except to Kuro. At first glance she felt like a cheap woman, but she could not resist and fight back.

"I'm just a prank." Yui replied with a naughty smile. "I've always wondered what kind of game you guys do. Besides, I now understand why Brother Kuro doesn't want to be separated from you. Besides being beautiful, you have a body and dangerous qualities."

"..ah..nn what is mak..sudmu?"

"He heh. Don't worry, I'll heal you until you recover. Tonight is long. Brother Lai..💕💕💕"

"...Huh?"

For some reason, Laila felt like she was awakening something other than Yui.

💠💠💠

In the playground used by children to spend their free time, a young man was playing swings with pleasure. Of course, however, seeing him is like a man who is dissatisfied with his childhood.

Then another young man entered the park and approached. He sat on an empty swing while resting tired of running.

"Ha... Senior Kuro, why do you always choose such a strange place to meet? You know how many times I've gotten ridiculed for this."

Froy took a deep breath. He was tired, but this was normal for him. Although he actually had to run for 10 km.

"I don't care about your problems, but I told you not to call me that. You know what kind of trouble I was thinking when I heard that call?"

"Uh. don't start using the confusing word, senior Kuro. After all you are a legend and taught me many things. It is thanks to your teachings that I can still be here today."

"Don't be stupid. All of this is your own effort. If you survive, it means you're not destined to die. Come on, you better have some good news for me."

Froy then sighed heavily. He also showed a complicated look.

"I don't know how you know I'm on a special mission right now, but you do realize that if you ask me, you know I won't answer. It's classified information that I can't leak even if I'm tortured and killed."

"Then the information.."

"I told you I couldn't possibly say it. Do you want to torture me?"

"No, but I'll kill you right away if you don't say anything. ..right now‼"

Kuro showed a serious aura. Although they are good acquaintances, Froy and Kuro realize that their work always risks their lives.

In other words, Froy died protecting his duty as well as a duty.

"All right, I'm just kidding. I'm just wondering why you want information from me?"

What Froy had said earlier was a cipher that the informants used. This password is commonly used if you want to get information from a second party. In this case, the second party was Kuro.

Give and take. This was the situation when the two Shadow Knights met.

"Just to make sure."

"..so the senior already knows what will happen soon?"

Kuro shook his head.

"There's no doubt there's going to be something big here soon. But rather than knowing what, I'm more interested in how it happened."

If they knew how, then they would be able to prevent the worst from happening. It could be said that this is better to handle when the incident takes place.

"One of my men has discovered that a great magic ritual will be performed in the near future. The ritual will use Ringbloodmoon and Izriva as catalysts. Unfortunately, I still don't know what ceremony to do."

Froy remembered something.

"...i've heard those rumors. I didn't think the rumors were true. But if it's true, doesn't that mean they want to resurrect the Demon King?"

In situations related to magic rituals performed by a certain group, resurrecting a Demon King was common. No different than the current situation.

"Ah sorry, I didn't mean to offend you."

The information regarding Kuro having a relationship with the Demon King was already widespread. Froy knew it.

But that doesn't change Kuro's position in Froy's eyes. He respected her no matter whether she had any relationship with the Demon King or not.

"It's okay. I didn't think about it much. But can you give us useful information? Honestly, I don't have any more time than that I can't do a direct investigation, so I have limited information."

The Shadow Knight had unlimited authority and funds in performing his duties. It was natural considering their extremely important and dangerous task.

As a former Shadow Knight and even a living legend, a matter like this was actually an easy matter. But he was currently a schoolgirl and a person with a relationship with the Demon King. Not only the authority is narrowed, but every movement is always monitored. If he did one thing wrong, it would result to Laila.

For all those reasons, then Froy understood why Kuro had such limited info. A legend in the Shadow Knight had now been bound by chains that were not easily broken and removed.

"...I understand why you insist on getting information, ..."

Froy bit his lower lip.

He knew what was going on with Kuro and what was going to happen in Phoenix if they didn't do something soon.

But even though Froy had given a sign to exchange information, it did not mean that Kuro's status would change. He had already been given a message if Kuro would ask for it, then he would have to provide as little information as possible regarding what happened.

"..but I may only have information to the extent of what is currently known, senior. You're a legend, so how could I possibly rival you in getting information."

Froy showed a smile. Of course it was a fake smile.

Kuro knows that.

Kuro sighs.

"..alright. I think I need to find it my own way. Thank you for coming."

"I'm sorry, because I can't help you."

Kuro stood up and smiled. That's not a smile of falsehood.

"It's okay. I told you I'd look for information in my own way. Oh yeah, can I ask you something?"

"Uh. please."

"..are you sure you came here while your friends were playing cards together with *******?"

Hearing that, Froy's eyes widened.

He finally shouted why Kuro had called him to the deserted garden. He did not need the information he had, but distanced himself from the information he should have gotten.

"When you know, rather than being busy looking at other people, I prefer to make love to my lover. Do you understand? If so, hurry up and find a lover."

"...."

Froy doesn't understand, but he knows one thing.

The young man he admired and respected was more dangerous than a high-class monster.

After that, Kuro left Froy. By ourselves.

💠💠💠

After parting ways with Froy, Kuro meets with Boris at a shop in Niphous. The store they entered was a ramen shop that happened to be empty of visitors.

Boris had already spent a large portion while waiting for Kuro's presence. This is the second portion.

"Welcome, Young Master."

"Why do you call me that, Boris?"

"Oh yes, welcome, Br*ngsek."

"Aha.. "

Kuro just laughed bitterly and sat down. He ordered a large portion with extra meat.

Kuro and Boris' relationship is indeed master and servant, but at the same time is not. They were more like enemies than masters and servants.

While traveling around the world, he happens to meet Boris. Of course at that time Boris' appearance was very different from the current one. It could even be said to be worse than a vagrant.

But that doesn't change that he's a villain and a powerful wizard.

A lot of things happened, but soon after that Boris has now turned into his servant.

"You still hate me, old man. Are you still mad that your daughter's in love with me?"

"...i don't hate you, but I hate your curse. In this world there is no one who will make a girl fall in love just one look. Of course another story if you have magic seducer, but you do not deserve to be called a witch at all. "

"Let's discuss this next time and start discussing what we got."

Boris gave a small sigh. But he understood what he had to do.

"After I found that, I found that many organizations have the same image or at least the same symbol.We can assume that they have the same goal or desire, but so far most of them are for the good of the world."

"Hmm, they don't seem to have any bad goals. But if you remember again, such organizations are widely spread all over the world. I remember that they had invited me before, but I wasn't the type of person who would care about such a thing, so I ignored their invitation."

"Ha ha. You are like that. But can I hear what kind of organization they are?"

Kuro did not hesitate to answer, but he needed time to remember.

"They are organizations that worship God Ortus, the God of Destruction and the God of Death. Even so, they can be said not to do evil and actually do a lot of good. Is there something?"

"Lord Ortus long ago I have not heard that name."

"just teach. God is no longer as adored as before. Before the war many did worship, but now humans actually worship other humans."

"That's right."

"But why talk about Gods? Oh. could it.."

"If our guess is correct, they don't want to raise the Demon King, but.-"

Both then fell silent. True or not, but as long as a dead person is resurrected, something bad will happen.

"......I knew this would happen sooner or later. In the meantime, we should find out about what magic rituals they will use. From that picture I knew it was some sort of ancient magic ritual, but I never saw anything like it anywhere. Even if we know the enemy's purpose, as long as we don't know what ritual it is, we'll be too late to stop it."

"Yes.you are right. We know what we have to do next. I'll find out about the ritual da-"

"I think you'd better continue the search for Lic." Cut Kuro. "If my premonition is right, as long as they don't have it, then their plan will fail. Moreover if this was an ancient magic ritual, then they needed other preparations. I'll find another condition and destroy it. That way we can prevent the victim from happening and prevent Laila from refusing to make love to me."

"...I think the second reason is worse." Boris said with a wry smile.

"I know that. I don't want to imagine that happening to me. We'd better eat and go home soon. I had a strange premonition when I left Laila with Yui."

After they finished discussing what they were doing, they ate Ramen which began to cool quietly and quietly.