The sun is shining in the sky while a gentle breeze blows every now and then.
It's the kind of weather where outdoor activities can be carried out, that kind of weather that somehow tells you that it wouldn't be raining anytime soon.
And right now we were walking under a canopy of trees.
Ahhh, how long have we been traveling for anyways? To be honest, I want to ask 'Are we there yet?' but I don't think the Demon Lord would appreciate that.
Well, it's not like I don't understand why we are walking though, if it was just the Demon Lord, Slime-kun and I, we could have made it to the Demon continent easily but we have Vampy and Mera here as well so we can't speed up.
They are also using this time to make a decision if they're going to go to the Demon continent or not… as for me, due to boredom, I'm using this time to train Vampy, it's not like I have anything better to do.
Currently, Vampy and Mera were walking but under their feet, cracks were forming on the earth, more like under Mera's feet though since Vampy was not strong enough for that yet.
The cause for the look of discomfort on both their faces was because I was using [Heavy Evil Eye] on them, [Heavy Evil Eye] is as the name says, it's more like increasing weight by messing with gravity though, or was it force?
Anyway, my goal right now was to make these two increase their stats as much as possible without leveling up, that would make it so that when the growth correction came into effect, their strength would be even more optimized but it's mostly Vamp who would benefit from it since she is still LV1.
Honestly, they should be grateful for my kindness, Slime-kun and I didn't have that sort of luxury after all. The only way we could survive the labyrinth was by leveling up so there was no growth correction for us. To put it in game talk, it was basically as if Vampy was using the player's walkthrough to min-max.
Come to think of it, including me, there are like five (I will begrudgingly add Potimas) people I know that are very strong.
Number one was D, she was a self proclaimed evil god though so that was a given, she was also the one that created the system so she could probably use every skill that exists.
Number two was Guli-Guli, but since he was an administrator like D but not really, that was also kinda a given.
Number three was the Demon Lord, she's basically the strongest existence in this world—administrators notwithstanding— with a level of 139 and stats averaging around 90k. But then again, she has been alive for a long time, so while it was a given, it's also true that she worked for her power. You don't get that strong without putting in the efforts after all.
Number four was little old me, not to brag but I am very strong with stats averaging 40k, sure, some of my stats came from the power up I got after consuming Mother's soul but it was also due to my hard work you know? The labyrinth had two rules: 'Live fast, die young' and 'Might makes right', so of course, I had no choice but to get mighty and live fast without dying.
Anyway, number five was Slime-kun, his stats were averaging around 37k and he is level 50 as well, the level seemed like a pivotal point for an evolution condition, so from the fact that he has not evolved means that he probably has reached the evolution limit. Just like me. And since he spawned in the Labyrinth like me, he didn't have it easy either.
Although, the reason for his explosive growth has to be that title right? That one, that one.
To be honest, the skill it gives is kinda broken, it's one of those that can be called a cheat skill. To put it simply, whenever Slime-kun killed an enemy, he absorbs a fraction of their stats and skills. You see why I say it's broken? It's like one of those cheat skills that a protagonist of a reincarnation manga receives after meeting with god… hmm, so does that mean that Slime-kun is the protagonist here? Did he meet god? He is a reincarnation after all… wait, so does that mean that this party is composed of his harem members?
Putting aside the Vampy since she is a child, the Demon Lord and myself are definitely bishoujos, right? No way…
But still, back to the previous topic, isn't greed kinda dangerous, as in very up there in danger territory as far as seven deadly sins go? Then again, I have
Speaking of Slime-kun.
""And tomorrowwwww ♪♫~""
With him now added to the party, it has gotten a lot livelier.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk, Maou-chan, you're singing off key, there is no way you can become my backup singer like that." Slime-kun says, shaking his head and index finger as if lecturing a child.
Hey, that's the Demon Lord you know? The one who could likely destroy a town just by sneezing wrongly, you know? Hello?
"What are you talking about? You're the one singing off key and since when was I going to become backup, I'm the main singer, the main!!." The Demon Lord said back, as if she was throwing a tantrum.
What is wrong with these two? Even I'm a bit surprised by how fast they got along. It's only been a day since Slime-kun joined us after all.
As for what they are quarreling about, since there is nothing to do as we travel, Slime-kun had been humming some tunes which the Demon Lord started to hum along and then one thing led to another, they started singing together.
Is this some sort of musical? Are we an idol group?
"Hmm…" Slime-kun folded one hand and held his chin with the other as he observed the Demon Lord from head to toe. "You are right, with your slender body and cute face, you do have that main singer look."
Ehhh, was this guy flirting with the Demon Lord? Destruction incarnate?
Taking the compliment in stride— not! The Demon Lord instead preened proudly as she replied.
"Heheheh. I'm glad you see things my way, Hoshimiya-kun."
Just what sort of show was I watching here?
Ah, looks like Vampy's HP, MP and SP was reaching danger zone, time for a break then.
As usual, the moment I released my thread and the effects of [Heavy evil eye], she keeled over and started frothing from the mouth.
"My lady?! Can you hear me?!" Even though this is not the first time it has happened, Mera still has that worried and panicky look on his face whenever he sees her like that, he is also trying to catch his breath due to the exertion I put him through.
You should look after yourself too, you know?
"You know Shiro, I once asked you if you were a masochist…" Slime-kun who is watching Vampy and Mera starts. "It seems that you were an S all along."
Eh?
S? Me?
Isn't that kinda rude?
"I'm not." I had to protect my image here. I'm just making sure that these two can break their limits in order to get stronger. After all, people subconsciously impose a limit on their body, so if I was controlling her body for her, I can easily override the subconsciousness.
"I know that Shiro-chan is trying to help them get stronger and all but when you look at that absurd image of the small Sophia-chan overexerting herself like that, it looks like child abuse, doesn't it?" Hey Demon Lord, can you please stop fanning the flames.
"Yeah, it reminds me of those fantasy novels where a character is forced to work in a minefield." What sort of novels do you read? Even the demon Lord is looking at him weirdly.
Why do I feel like these two are ganging up on me though? No way, shouldn't you be on my side here, Slime-kun?
"Well, at least Shou— Sophia doesn't have to do something like this while monsters are after her life."
Hey, don't just say something so scary all of a sudden. Look, even Mera has gone more pale than usual.
"Hoshimiya-kun, please stop saying scary stuff like that." The Demon Lord said.
"Ehh… you are joking right?" Slime-kun's expression was one of disbelief. I understand his bafflement though, someone like the Demon Lord saying something is scary is shocking.
"No, no, no. I'm very serious. In the first place, you and Shiro-chan are the weird ones, you know?" The Demon Lord said as she walked over to sit on earth she formed with magic. "Nobody would attack themselves willingly in order to develop a resistance or something similar to that effect even with healing magic available, you know? You'd have to be crazy to do that."
Hearing something like that, Slime-kun looked at me as I looked back at him. "No way, no way, no way," He started in a cheery voice. "We are totally normal, yeah Shiro?"
I nodded frantically with a thumbs up, I had to agree with him, we had normality in spades. We were the most normal people that ever normal'd. If there was an evolution called 'apex of normality' then we had already reached the evolution condition.
"I can see that you two are in denial so I won't push any further." So said the Demon Lord as she started looking up to the sky.
As for Slime-kun.
"Ah, by the way, my name is Nova, sorry if I had ignored you for a bit. It's just that your whole vibe doesn't really strike any conversation starters within me." He says to Mera.
The first time you interact with him and that is what you say?
This guy is amazing, he just says whatever he wants. I mean, thinking back to the previous world, he had always been like that hadn't he?
"That is no problem, Sir Nova. I am called Merazophis, the guardian of the young lady." Mera said, holding Vampy in his arms, he had cleaned off her froth and she was now looking weary.
Even though Mera was not looking the part, from his way of speaking, one could tell that he was a naturally polite person.
"Only Nova is fine… but guardian huh…? Sophia was born normally right? Does that mean she has parents in this world?" Slime-kun asked.
Seeing where the conversation was headed, I decided to start preparing food, though I was still listening.
"Ah… that is…" Merazorphis voice took on a somber tone. I guess it was still a sore topic.
{My parents… passed away. During the war.} Vampy said in an equally somber tone. {Not so long ago.}. Even though they didn't have enough time to bond with each other, it seems like Vampy held some affection for her parents.
Slime-kun looked a bit apologetic. "I… see. War huh…" He sighed. "I guess, it doesn't matter the world, war can just break out anytime. It must even be more dangerous here since everyone can use magic and such." He then smiled at Vampy.
"Well, it might not be much but feel free to call me papa whenever you want."
What?
Slime-kun just said something ridiculous.
Look, even the Demon Lord was holding her sides, laughing.
{A-as if I would call my classmate such a thing! You are the same as ever, your mouth moves before you think.} Vampy's face was red.
"Come on, don't be like that… I might not have known my dad but I did learn a thing or two from my mom you know…? Some things which I regret learning sure but I could definitely pull off being a papa right?"
Please don't look my way, I have no response to give you.
"Well, putting aside that the war was caused by Shiro-chan. It was indeed a weird one." The Demon Lord who had recovered from laughing, says.
Slime-kun blinked.
"What?" Then he looked at me. "Hii— Shiro, you started a war?"
Hey, saying it like that is misleading, it's more like they started a war because of me. If anything, I was the victim in that whole debacle.
Although Slime-kun was looking at me, his voice didn't sound like he was accusing me, more like genuine surprise.
"Oh? Are you curious, Hoshimiya-kun?" The Demon Lord grinned while Slime-kun nodded. "Alright, come and sit here. Ariel-sensei would tell you all you need to know about the incident."
Slime-kun immediately took a sit on his knees in front of her. "Do go on, sensei!"
They are just going at things at their own pace. The Demon Lord better not paint me in a bad light though, if it wasn't for Porky trying to spidernap me, the war would have not broke out… no, it would have but probably a little later.
As they were talking, with Slime-kun asking questions every now and then, I got to cooking. I say cooking but since the most I can do is boil water for ramen, I'm just going to make sandwich, I still have some spices left from the ones I plun— liberated from Vampy's former home.
•••
"M-maou-chan…" Slime-kun started with a stutter.
"Why did Shiro cook poison? Is this some sort of trend in this world? Is this culture shock?"
I looked at the food I made. Truly, It could only be called poison, since it looked like black sludge even though it was actually meat and sauce. It's like that trope made manifest, that one in mangas where a cute girl tries to cook but creates an abomination in the process. Eh? I shouldn't call myself cute? But I am though.
Anyway, what I did here was intentional and there was a reason for that.
The problem is, how do I tell slime-kun that reason?
The Demon Lord was looking at me as if she knew what I wanted to say but wanted me to say it myself.
Ugh, fine.
"Training…"
"Training? Are you learning to cook or something? If this is the best you can do, you should probably leave cooking for me." Slime-kun said as he crouched beside me as I set the food on two plates.
Eh, Slime-kun can cook? No! I mean, how dare you?! What do you mean this is the best I can do? I will have you know that I have mastered the fundamentals of cooking, don't look down on me, dammit.
"Resistance training." I added.
"Resistance? I'm pretty sure your poison resis— oh… it's for them." Slime-kun had started talking but when I passed the plate to Mera and Vampy who didn't look like she was dying anymore, Slime-kun gained a look of realization on his face.
See, it's not like I'm cooking something terrible because I like it, you know.
Slime-kun looked at the Vampire duo with a pitying gaze. "I do not envy you guys. That thing kinda reminds me of that Snailbug from the Lower Stratum."
Hey, no way, right? You're just joking. Even I don't think there is anything in this world that tastes as terrible as those bugs.
{Snailbug…?} Vampy looked at the plate of food with obvious disgust.
"Did you eat the Gastruch?" The Demon Lord asked, looking bewildered.
"Oh yeah, that's what it was called, I definitely did. It was something I ate on a whim, I almost died due to it, I had to crawl away to safety afterwards… but then I found out that it gave me resistance to rot attacks, so I started forcing myself to eat at least one everyday."
Slime-kun, even I didn't do something like that, that's very hardcore. Those things taste even worse than poison after all, worse than you can imagine.
The Demon Lord put a hand to her mouth. "What possessed you to eat something so horrible?" She asked.
{What, is it that bad?} Vampy asked.
"I have only heard rumors about it but it is said that a single bite from it is capable of instantly incapacitating a warrior." Mera said in response. "And not to be disrespectful but I don't think it's something anyone would willingly eat."
"Yes, and that is even putting it lightly… I hope you have not ruined your tastebuds yet."
"Hey, I'm pretty sure Shiro ate it too."
Oi, why are you calling me out like this? Do you want to drag me down with you? Isn't that shameless?
The Demon Lord sighed. "I guess I can't really blame you guys for it though… the labyrinth is just that sort of place after all."
After giving the vampire duo, food, I had started on another meal and it was done. This one obviously looked better, since I was not actively trying to make it taste bad.
"Thank you for the food." The Demon Lord took one of my meat sandwich with an innocent smile without asking for permission.
"Thanks for the food." Slime-kun said cheerily as he did the same.
These guys are trying to pick a fight with me aren't they? That's the only explanation here.
Just because I made three portions didn't mean that I was planning to share it, you know?
"Hey, one of my thievery skills just went up a level." Slime-kun looked at me with wide eyes. "How did you convince yourself that I was stealing from you?" He asked in disbelief.
That's because, deep in your soul, you know you were stealing from me.
The Demon Lord was chuckling.
"Anyway, here you go Sophia." Slime-kun cut out of his sandwich and handed it to Vampy.
{Hoshimiya-kun…} Vampy looked like she just found out God exists and he was watching over her.
But, hey, what about resistance training?
"Your face is saying 'what about resistance training?'" Slime-kun accurately deduced what I was thinking.
Is he an esper?! Or is this one of his vaunted people skills?
"Well, one day without training resistance is not going to hurt right? Or if you want, she could eat the sandwich after finishing that poisonous substance."
Well, I guess that is a good compromise, it was entirely up to Vampy though.
{I'll do it!} Vampy said, almost desperately.
I bit into my own share of food.
Delicious.
•••
"Alright, we will be making a stop here." The Demon Lord, Ariel declared.
We were currently on a mountain range, the air is a bit thin but I doubt any of us has a problem with it.
"Hmmm, it seems like there is a town up ahead." Slime-kun said, looking in the distance. For someone who had [Detection LV10], seeing that far was pretty easy.
Incidentally the Demon Lord and I also had [Detection LV10] as well, although using it without [Heresy Resistance/Nullification] causes a mind-boggling, soul-splitting migraine that could probably kill someone so unless you had that, don't even bother using it.
"Yep, we'll be resting and getting supplies there." The Demon Lord said as she started to wear a robe.
"Really? I've never been in a town in this world before…" Slime-kun said.
Really? Well, as for me, the only town I've been to is Vampy's former hometown so I guess that counts.
"Well, this is your chance to see a real life fantasy town…"
"Oh, count me in, count me in." Slime-kun was getting excited. Somehow he looks like a kid who was visiting an amusement park for the first time, even his ahoge was bouncing around.
"Well, although I say that, don't get your hopes up, I doubt there is anything intriguing about it." The Demon Lord said after seeing Slime-kun's excitement. Perhaps she said that in case the town didn't meet his expectations.
But wait a minute, aren't you guys forgetting something here?
"Wait a minute, what about Hii— Shiro?"
Everyone present, from Mera to the Demon Lord, turned to my direction.
Yes, exactly!
I'm a spider, you know, and not just any spider, an Arachne with a human torso and a spider half, there is no way I can enter town like this!
"Hmmm… yep." The Demon Lord clapped her hands together. "Shiro will be camping out."
No waaaay.
"Well, it can't be helped—" It can't?! "I'll stay here with Shiro."
Oho!
Oho! Slime-kun… you really are a nice guy aren't you? I'll never forget this for as long as I live, I Wakaba Hiiro is in your debt.
"Hmmm…" The Demon Lord looked like she was contemplating something. "Well, I guess that is fine. Just in case though, I'll leave two people here with you guys."
"Huh? What do you…" Before Slime-kun could finish his sentence, two figures appeared out of thin air, the way they appeared was reminiscent of spatial magic.
I remember these guys. Two humanoid figures were standing beside the Demon Lord, since she was the
These two humanoid that looked mechanical with a total of six arms each were called
These were one of the guys I fought when me and the Demon Lord were still playing that game of tag where the loser would die if caught, although the Demon Lord was always the 'it' so it was not a fair game.
"Ehhh, these guys are spiders?" Slime-kun exclaimed with a voice tinged with surprise.
I thought the same when I first saw them.
"Fufu, these guys are my loyal subjects." The Demon Lord said as she presented the two figures who were making clacking sounds.
"Amazing, you really are a Demon Lord." Slime-kun, you really need to stop poking anything that catches your interest… he was already poking the puppets.
"Hey, what's that supposed to mean? Were you doubting me before? That's not true right? I even have the title and everything." The Demon Lord who was basically an unbeatable enemy who the whole world was scared of. Yes, that very scary person, that person was pouting right now.
"Well, it's suspicious when the Four Heavenly Kings is not with the Demon Lord right?" Slime-kun, I would tell you that you need to put off your cliche fantasy glasses but I totally understand what you are saying.
"As if I have such a thing!" The Demon Lord slapped Slime-kun's chest with the back of her hand in a playful manner.
Hey, nice tsukkomi.
"Well, they look quite… unique." Mera, you are not fooling anyone with that pause there.
{They look creepy.}
Ahhh, Vampy went ahead and said it.
"What are you saying, these guys are very cute, right? Shiro you understand it right?"
Eh, why are you asking me? You know what? Here you go, a thumbs up.
"See, I knew you would get it."
I don't really get anything though.
"Eh…" Slime-kun was looking at the Demon Lord with a face of bewilderment. "No way, that thing is not your horn?"
The Demon Lord had removed her hair ornaments that looked like horns. Actually they do look like horns, I can see how one will confuse them for one.
"They are just normal hair ornaments though."
"I totally thought they were horns… somehow I feel like I have just been scammed. Instead of a Maou-chan, you now look like an 'Ari-chan'"
Yeah, no one would think that this person who looked like a cheery teenager was the Demon Lord.
"What's with that cute nickname?" The Demon Lord sighed. "Well, I can't really wear something like this into town now, can I? It stands out too much."
"Ahhh, it just feels like you are breaking out of character here. And besides, that horn looks really good on you, you know?"
Oh, was the Demon Lord blushing? I guess not even she can win against that kind of genuine compliment.
"I've long since broken out of character though." She looked in my direction.
Hey, you can't really blame me for that one.
"—Well, I guess you have no way of knowing that… anyway, I'm counting on you guys to hold down the forte." She said as the going-to-town-team got ready to leave. Well, it's actually just the Demon Lord, Vampy and Mera though.
"Yep, you can leave it to us… I'd like some souvenirs though, if you don't mind." Slime-kun said.
"Alright, I'll find something for you… bye-bye!!" The Demon Lord waved as they left.
Now, in this place, there was me, Slime-kun and the two Puppet Taratect.
Eh, why was I getting nervous?
Well, in the Labyrinth, Slime-kun didn't know who I was, to him, I was just an intelligent monster, but now that he is aware of me, I all of a sudden feel nervous.
Awawawawa, he is staring at me.
"Amazing… you are panicking like crazy, Hiiro."
He can tell?!
Isn't this the first time that I've technically been alone with a boy?
I mean, we have been alone together before but that time I was a literal spider and he was a blob of slime, we didn't have humanoid (kinda) forms then… and the puppet Taratect over there watching us does not count.
Wait a minute, I'm pretty sure I've been alone with a boy before back in the former world and I'm pretty sure it was Slime-kun, so why was I nervous now?
All of a sudden, Slime-kun jumped up on his feet and then… he changed into a slime?
Eh, he can do something like that? That's kinda cool. So he can go from humanoid to slime whenever he wants, huh?
What are you doing, Slime-kun?
After changing into a slime, he jumped up and then landed on my back, to be precise, he is now resting on my spider half.
"Ahhh, I've missed this…" He breathed a sigh of contentment.
Hey, hey, hey. I know we used to do this a lot in the Labyrinth but can you consider the time and place? Something like this is embarrassing for me you know.
What do you think would happen if I told someone something like: 'Yesterday, Slime-kun was riding me.'
What? I don't have anyone to tell, you say? Well, that doesn't not matter, the problem here is that it sounds weird, right?
Ignoring my spiraling thoughts, Slime-kun started to talk.
"Hey Hiiro… I guess it's Shiro… so Shiro, you are okay, right?"
Huh?
There was something odd about his voice, it felt like he was worried.
"Why?" I found myself asking.
"Well, you are traveling with Maou-chan right? I thought maybe she was forcing you to travel with her since she is ridiculously strong… and she also has
Oh?
Oh!
I could feel my face redden.
This guy was worried? About me? He thought I was traveling with the Demon Lord without having a choice? Well, that wasn't really the case though.
The Demon Lord and I had agreed on a truce after all, a cease fire.
"That's why I agreed to follow you guys. I doubt I could even last five minutes in a fight with her but at the very least, if you are following her against your will, I could buy you time to run or something."
This… is this how it felt like when someone had butterflies in their stomach? My face was hot and there was a mushy feeling all over my body.
Has anyone ever treated me like this before? Slime-kun knows that I am strong and he also knows that the Demon Lord is strong as well, even to a ridiculous degree, and yet he was prepared to hold her back so I could escape?
What's with this guy? He's so cool!
So, how do I tell him that I am not actually being strong handed into traveling with the Demon Lord? And with [Status Condition Nullification] and [Heresy Nullification], I could easily resist mental attacks so my mind was free of control too.
Ah, it seems like I would have to push through my anxiety this time. For someone that is ready to put their own life on the line for mine, the least I could do was give him an answer.
"I… am fine…" Wow, that took a lot out of me. Umm, ummm. "We have a deal and… I can't get mind controlled." My voice was measured as if I was reading from a book
Slime-kun sighed. How is he even sighing in that form? "That's good to know, I had been worried… Maou-chan seems like a nice person and I like her so I don't want her to be an enemy, to be honest."
She might look nice now but she definitely wasn't nice when she was after my life, you know? I definitely don't want to fight her again either…
Well, it's also true that her personality has changed drastically, that was because she merged with body brain which was basically a piece of my soul.
Once again, thank you, artist formerly known as body brain.
"Well, I'm glad the situation is not complicated."
But still, this guy was going to fight the Demon Lord for my sake huh?
"Thank you." I whispered.
"Hahaha, come on, don't be like that. Regardless of whatever the circumstances might be, we are still team 'name pending' you know? I've got your back and while I won't die for you, I'll definitely ride for you."
Team 'name pending' huh?
A smile made its way to my lips.
I guess I don't hate this kind of stuff, I don't think I would want it with anyone else.