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====== << START >> ========
Seiryuu City, DesuMachi Planet…
The once chaotic plaza had fallen into silence under Hachiman's oppressive presence. The common people, who only moments ago had been shouting and throwing stones, felt the strength drain from their arms. The so-called sacred jewels slipped from their hands, falling onto the ground one by one.
The chubby priest of the Zaicuon Temple—the target of Hachiman's cold stare—felt his knees buckle as if the weight of a mountain had been placed upon his back. His thoughts became blank, words dying in his throat before they could form. The indigo glow of Hachiman's eyes reduced his earlier bravo to dust.
"Quite the elaborate scam you've set up here, haven't you?" Hachiman's calm voice was carried effortlessly through the entire plaza. He didn't shout, he didn't even had to raise his voice. But everyone still heard every word from his mouth. "Working with the Rats Guild, preying on people's fears and faith to fill your own pockets while spreading panic and distrust."
Mei stepped forward, her tone sharp as her gaze. "This priest—no, this man—is the one truly colluding with demons!"
"W-what?!"
"How could this be?!"
"Y-you fake priest!!"
"Return our money!!"
"You might not have known this, but demons actually love to stay in places overflowing with negative emotions," Mei said, addressing the crowd, her voice spreading far and wide. "They get their strength from your fear, anger, pain, frustration, jealousy, shame, contempt and every dark thoughts and emotions you let out gives them strength!"
"What these two did to all of you," Hachiman continued, his tone sharp and cold, "was manipulate you. They spread lies to make you uneasy, fanned your fears, and turned your anger toward innocent people using this guy's demi-human slaves to gather the power that could revive the demon lord." He said pointing at Hoose.
Sora stepped forward, her small figure trembling with emotion as she faced the crowd. "Everyone, the demi-humans are innocent! The demons and these kinds of people used all of you to help the bad guys! You're doing the opposite of good! If you keep this up, you'll be the ones helping the demon lord return, not the demi-humans you are all trying to hate for no reason!"
"H-how do we know what you're saying is true?! Not lies?!" someone shouted.
"Th-that's right!!" another shouted.
Sora crossed her arms and grinned confidently with a 'I have been waiting for someone to ask that!' expression. "Simple. Let's ask the Oracle Priestess herself!"
The crowd collectively turned toward Auna, who blinked in surprise, momentarily stunned by the sudden attention. As all eyes fell upon her, she sighed softly, giving a querying glance toward Hachiman and his group. 'Just how did these people know about the miasma?' she wondered.
Shaking her head, she stepped forward, her expression turning solemn. "What they said is true," Auna declared, her voice soft and clear. "Demonic beings do indeed thrive and grow stronger by feeding on your negative emotions."
"Auna-dono! Is it truly alright for you to reveal information that we temple servants were sworn to keep secret?" the Garleon priest asked, his face pale with shock.
The people around them froze. The Oracle Priestess herself had confirmed the truth, and now even the Garleon priest had indirectly agreed—it sent a shiver down their spines.
"I believe it's fine," Auna replied calmly, her voice unwavering despite the priest's alarm. "My intuition tells me I must do this." Her eyes softened briefly as she added inwardly, 'And besides… I don't know why, but I feel as if these people will bring something new—a change to this world.'
"W-what have we done…?" someone whispered.
"So all this time… we were actually helping the demons?" another voice trembled.
"Oh, benevolent Tenion-sama, please forgive us!"
"N-no way! T-that can't be true!"
The crowd began to calm, shame and confusion replacing their earlier fury. Some wept openly, while others bowed their heads in prayer. Even those who still clung to denial were shaken by the revelation.
Seeing the tension finally ease, Hachiman, Mei, and Sora shared a brief look of relief—but that moment of peace was short-lived. A chill crawled up their spines.
The man named Hoose suddenly began to convulse, his face twisting in agony. "H-help! P-please! H-he-help me!!" he screamed.
Before anyone could move, his body snapped unnaturally backward—and a pair of grotesque arms burst from his chest. Blood and flesh sprayed the ground as people screamed. Hachiman and Mei instantly moved, stepping in front of the others, weapons ready.
The plaza erupted into chaos as the crowd stumbled back, terror freezing their legs where they stood.
The arm lashed out violently toward the Zaicuon priest, slashing deep across his chest. He didn't even have time to scream before collapsing to the ground, blood pooling under him as his life faded away.
"W-what is going on?!" Sora cried out, throwing herself in front of the three demi-humans, spreading her arms to shield them despite her trembling knees.
"This aura…" Hachiman muttered, eyes narrowing as he felt the suffocating pressure in the air. "There's no mistake—it's miasma."
"Which can only mean one thing," Mei said coldly, her fingers tightening around the sheath of her katana. "The owner of those arms… is a demon."
"This presence! It is indeed a demon!" the Garleon priest gasped, stepping back in alarm.
"Zena, go to the nearest garrison and call for reinforcements," Auna ordered sharply, her expression hard.
"B-but Auna-sama—" Zena started, worry in her tone.
"Just follow Auna-sama's words, Zena-dono," Viscount Velton interrupted, raising his cane as a swirl of magic gathered around it. "This is a demon—we'll need every capable hand. We can't afford to hold back."
Zena bit her lip and nodded firmly. "Understood. I'll be back as fast as I can." She turned to Hachiman and Mei, who gave her a reassuring nod before she took off, wind magic flaring at her feet as she sped toward the nearest garrison.
A cold, mocking voice echoed through the plaza . "Hehehehe… Moi never expected anyone to actually find me out. I impressed."
The guards of Viscount Velton tensed, stepping forward with weapons drawn, ready to engage. Hachiman's eyes glance toward the Garleon priest, who was already chanting a spell. Reaching into his coat, Hachiman pulled out a small card engraved with the image of Arsène's sword cane. He crushed it between his fingers—the card dissolved in light, and the elegant sword cane materialized in his grasp.
"■■■■■—Circle of Anti-Evil!" the Garleon priest declared. A glowing magic circle of light spread under Hoose's feet, trapping him in radiant power.
"Such insolence," the demon sneered, its voice dripping with malice. "I snicker."
The demon's arms flailed wildly, striking the glowing wall around the circle but each impact sent a force forcing the arms attached at Hoose body bounce back, scattering sparks into the air.
"Gunununu… this shouldn't be possible! Humans shouldn't be able to use this kind of magic! I miscalculated!" the demon snarled, its voice rippling with fury.
"AAAAHHH!!" Hoose screamed in agony, tears streaming down his face. He turned toward Hachiman and the others with a desperate, broken look. "P-please! H-help me! S-save m—"
His words were cut short. The arms twisted violently before bursting from his body, tearing through flesh and bone. Blood sprayed across the stones as his lifeless body crumpled to the ground. The air grew thick with the suffocating pressure of demonic miasma.
From what remained of Hoose emerged a monstrous figure—a single, massive eyeball the size of a truck, sprouting four wings, two long arms, and four jagged horns encircling its grotesque form. A long, whip-like tail lashed behind it, the tip gleaming with a serrated edge.
"Ahh… finally, Moi can speak freely. I emotional," the demon rasped, its wings flexing as its giant eyes glace across the trembling humans.
"That's… a lesser demon!" the Garleon priest gasped as his spell circle shattered under the demon's emergence.
Hachiman's eyes stayed sharp, his stance unwavering. "Hmm. Is this perhaps the calamity your oracle spoke of, Priestess Auna?"
Auna's expression tightened before she gave a slow, grim nod. "...Perhaps it is. The oracle didn't specify, but…"
"If we base it on what's happening now," Mei said, finishing her words with a calm tone, "we can safely assume it is." She looked at Hachiman. "Hachiman, what's our plan?"
The Garleon priest, Viscount Velton, Auna, and all nearby guards turned to him expectantly. Feeling their gazes, Hachiman's cheek twitched. 'Oi, oi, oi! Why is everyone expecting me to decide things here?!''
Feeling helpless, Hachiman sighed and looked around at the group. "...Alright, someone tell me—how confident are you against a demon around level thirty?"
The Garleon priest, Auna, and Viscount Velton exchanged grim looks. The silence that followed said everything.
Viscount Velton was the first to answer, his tone weary. "It will be a tough fight, even for me. I might be able to wound it with my strongest spells… but that's likely all I can manage."
The Garleon priest frowned, his grip tightening. "I can use light-element magic. My strongest spell is Sacred Javelin—it might hurt it, but not by much."
Auna shook her head slowly. "Unfortunately, most of my magic is healing and support-based. I'm not fit for combat."
"I see." Hachiman rubbed the bridge of his nose, exhaling softly. "Alright then… Patricia-san, take Kagura and move to a safe distance. Sora, get those three away from here and follow her."
"Understood, Lord Hachiman," Patricia said, her voice calm but firm. Carrying the sleeping Kagura toward the edge of the plaza, holding her protectively. "Miss Sora, please follow us quickly."
"Okay," Sora nodded, turning to the three demi-humans. "You three can stand up? We have to get out of here fast."
"N-no, we can't," the cat-eared girl replied hesitantly. "Our master ordered us not to move…"
"Master told us we must stay here… so we can't move, nanodesu," the dog-eared one added nervously.
"What?!" Sora's eyes widened. "Why would he—"
"T-thank you for your kindness, young miss," the older scale-kin said shakily. "But our master, Hoose, placed a strict command on us. If we disobey, the Collar of Subordination will tighten. If we move… we'll die. Please… give up on us."
Sora froze for a second, disbelief flashing in her eyes before it turned to anger. Her fists clenched as her voice cracked. "That's… that's such a cruel thing to say!"
Then, as if mocking the chaos unfolding before it, the demon laughed. "Heheheheh… AHAHAHAHA!"
A wave of miasma erupted from its body, twisting the air and shaking the ground under their feet. The stench of miasma filled the plaza.
"Disturbance! Fear! Unease! Prejudice! Arrogance! Anger!" the demon bellowed, its voice warping the air. "They are all to moi liking! I… satisfied!"
"Kuh—!" the Garleon priest groaned as he fought against the suffocating aura.
"Uugh…!" Auna gasped, her knees trembling.
"Damn it…!" Viscount Velton cursed under his breath, forcing himself to stay upright.
'The situation's spiraling out of control!' Hachiman thought, gritting his teeth. His hand tightened around the sword cane. 'Should I take the initiative? But if I use my weakest attack, it may won't be enough to kill it in one hit… and if I go for the sure-kill, how much damage it might cause the city?!'
Before he could act, the demon roared, spreading its wings wide. A massive magic circle ignited under them—covering not just the plaza but nearly a kilometer in every direction.
"Hence, moi shall create a den for moi master!!!" the demon howled, its voice echoing like thunder. "Aren't you happy? I diligently provide!"
"!!" Hachiman's eyes widened. "Sora!" He dashed toward the girl and the three demi-humans.
"Patricia-san, go now!!" Mei shouted.
Patricia nodded immediately, embracing Kagura tightly. The silver light of Trailblaze flared around them, and in a flash, the two vanished.
"Mei—wait!" Hachiman tried to reach her, but before she could move forward, the massive circle flared again, blinding them with a burst of dark light. The world twisted then everything went blank.
—----
When Hachiman came to, the world was dim and still. A faint, bluish light glowed from cracks in the stone walls around him. He turned, scanning the surroundings for his companions—but the only figures he found were Sora, unconscious, and the three demi-humans huddled under her. The girl's small body had been used as a shield, covering them instinctively even in her sleep.
Hachiman quickly knelt beside them, checking each pulse, each breath. Relief washed through him when he felt their breathing from all four. Then his eyes move across the shadowy cavern again—no Mei, no Auna, not even the others. His chest tightened. A wave of panic stirred.
'Mei!' He hurriedly pulled out his terminal, fingers tapping the screen. A small holographic profile appeared—her name and status glowing softly in green. "Thank Akivilli you're alright," he murmured with a deep breath, the tension easing from his shoulders.
"Uhh…" Sora stirred, eyelids fluttering open. She blinked a few times, her gaze landing on him. "Hachi-nii?"
He turned immediately, kneeling beside her. "Sora, how do you feel? Any pain? Do you feel uncomfortable?"
She rubbed her eyes, then smiled faintly. "Hmm… I'm okay. Just a little dizzy, that's all." She reached toward the three demi-humans, gently shaking them. "Hey, are you all alright?"
A low groan came from one. "Arrr…"
"Ugh…" another muttered.
"Mmm…"
One by one, they stirred awake, sitting up shakily. Sora helped support the cat-eared girl while checking the others. Her worried expression softened once they all started to move.
"Good… you're safe," she said softly, her relief clear. Hachiman watched her for a moment and couldn't help but smile despite the situation. Even here, in the middle of nowhere, she still put others first.
Before the three could even reply, a distorted, mocking voice can be heard through the cavern, bouncing from wall to wall.
"Welcome to moi master's labyrinth!" the demon's voice rang out, rich with twisted glee. "It still lacks a name, but monsters are already being created as we speak! You may thank moi for being so very diligent!"
Hachiman's head snapped up, scanning the darkness. "That eyeball demon's voice… where the hell is it coming from?"
"Panic as much as you wish for moi pleasure!" the demon continued, laughing like a mad performer before an unseen audience. "Kill one another, steal from one another! I promise to enjoy every moment!"
"The voice… it's coming from above?" the cat-eared girl whispered, her ears twitching as she pointed toward the jagged ceiling.
The demon's tone suddenly deepened, dripping with hatred. "The souls of those who resign… I despise." Then, in an exaggerated, almost cheerful tone, it added, "Therefore, every room connects both to the exit and to moi chamber. I am fair!"
Its laughter crescendoed, echoing until the very ground seemed to tremble. "Moi await the despair that blooms after hope! Strive, fodders! Struggle! I encourage!"
'...I see. This feels exactly like one of those forced events—[Escape from the Labyrinth Mission]. Outbreak style, huh? Figures,' Hachiman thought, his cheek twitching in annoyance.
[Title Acquired: Labyrinth Explorer]
[Notice]
[Quest Log Updated:]
[Escape the "Labyrinth of Demon" alive. Status: In Progress]
Hachiman stared blankly at the glowing screen floating before him. Beside him, Sora was equally stunned, her mouth slightly open as the same window appeared before her.
"...Of course it turned out like this," Hachiman muttered flatly. He exhaled through his nose and rubbed the back of his neck. "Can't even catch a break."
Sora blinked and looked at him, half-laughing, half-nervous. "Ehe… guess we're in another one of those 'troubles follow us everywhere' situations, huh?"
"Yeah," he sighed, resigned. "I miss the days when my biggest problem was figuring out how to laze around."
—--
"Moi await the despair that blooms after hope! Strive, fodders! Struggle! I encourage!"
Mei glared up at the rocky ceiling of the cavern, her expression flat as the demon's obnoxious laughter finally faded into silence. Beside her were the unconscious figures of Auna, the Garleon Priest, Viscount Velton and their guards.
'Finally, peace! It was so annoying listening to that thing talk nonstop!' the Herrscher of Thunder groaned in her head.
'...I never thought we'd agree on something again,' Mei replied dryly. 'But yes, I'll admit it—the demon was truly unbearable.'
'Hmph! Let's not waste more thought on that buffoon. Our priority should be finding our man and that child, then getting out of this miserable hole,' the Herrscher of Thunder declared.
'M-m-man?!' Mei stammered, her cheeks burning red as she puffed in embarrassment. 'W-w-what are you saying?!'
The Herrscher of Thunder sighed audibly in her mind. 'Why are you reacting like that? Isn't that Monarch our man already? He's the father of our child, after all.'
'T-that may be true,' Mei sputtered, face glowing, 'but the way you said it is way too embarrassing!'
'Yeah, yeah, whatever,' her Herrscher self replied lazily.
"Mou…" Mei puffed her cheeks and pulled out her terminal. Tapping open the Crew List, she quickly checked the status icons beside Hachiman and Sora's names. Both were glowing green. She exhaled softly, relief washing over her. "They're both fine… thank goodness."
A moment later, her terminal buzzed with a series of notifications. Mei blinked, raised a brow, and muttered, "Huh? Messages already?" She tapped the alert—and the Astral Express group chat opened in front of her.
—--
[The Astral Express Family]
…
..
.
Apologetic_Pink_Elf: My dear Noah~ would you like to rest your weary soul in my arms? I promise they're the best in the universe!
Noah: I would love to do that my lovely Ellie… but your request is still denied.
Apologetic_Pink_Elf: 😭 NOOO~ My charm failed again!
Anis: Hahaha, poor Ellie~ Rejected in record time!
Alice: Hopefully this will also serve as a lesson for you, Anis.
Alice: The next time you blow up the kitchen, I doubt Captain will be as merciful as before.
Anis: Merciful?
Anis: You call scrubbing every inch of the Kitchen Cabin with a toothbrush merciful?!
Apologetic_White_Tuna: At least he let you use a toothbrush…
Apologetic_White_Tuna: Captain only let us use cotton buds this time…
Anis: ...
Anis: You know what? I take back everything I said!
Anis: Thank you for your infinite mercy, Captain! 🙏
Noah: Umu.
[Patricia sent a priority message]
Patricia: Lord @Hachiman, Lady @Mei, Miss @Sora—please respond! Are you three safe?!
Team Star-Pulse: huh??!!
Team Reason: Woaah!!!
Team Slash/Dog: w-what's happening???!!!!
Noah: @Patricia, Patricia-san, what happened?! For you to use the emergency line, is everything alright down there?!
Patricia: Some trouble occurred, Lord Noah!
Patricia: While we were walking through the city, a demon suddenly appeared at the center of the plaza where countless civilians were nearby!
Patricia: Lady Mei and Lord Hachiman asked me to take Young Miss Kagura and Miss Sora to safety.
Patricia: But before I could take Miss Sora away, the demon unleashed a spell that turned the entire plaza into a dungeon-like space!
Patricia: I had no choice but to teleport away with only Young Miss Kagura to the Dragon God's Palace, where our Space Anchor is located.
Team Star-Pulse: !!!
Team Reason: !!!
Team Slash/Dog: !!!!!
Alice: @Patricia, please, calm yourself.
Alice: What you did was the right choice.
Alice: Prioritizing Kagura-chan's safety was essential.
Alice: She may be the reincarnation of the Dragon God, but right now, she's still just a baby—she can't protect herself yet.
Patricia: Princess… Thank you for your kindness, but…
Patricia: I still failed to carry out all the instructions given to me.
Patricia: I still left behind Miss Sora…. I can't excuse myself from that.
Alice: Patricia…
Hajime: Patricia…
Maid Team: Miss Patricia…
Apologetic_White_Tuna: @Noah, Captain what should we do?!
Apologetic_White_Tuna: Should I descend and check Mei and the others?!
Apologetic_Blond_Bird: @Apologetic_White_Tuna, Kiana-san please don't!
Apologetic_Blond_Bird: You're just too powerful. If you descend, the planet might mistake you as an enemy and interpret you as an invader!
Apologetic_Blond_Bird: It might trigger the world's defense mechanism… and awaken the planet's Ultimate One!
Apologetic_Purple_Witch: The little bird's right, little tuna.
Apologetic_Purple_Witch: This planet is completely untouched by usual cosmic forces. It still doesn't know who the 'Trailblaze' is. It is entirely different from any previous worlds you have visited.
Apologetic_Purple_Witch: As we have discussed from our own meeting last time, we need to let it know first that we are not here to invade nor to become its enemy through Little ones below.
Apologetic_Purple_Witch: We don't want the planet to misunderstand that the Trailblazers are the same as those who invaded it before, where it almost got destroyed.
Apologetic_Purple_Witch: With its active defense mechanism, It will take a very aggressive stance against anything it deemed enemy.
Apologetic_Purple_Witch: It is very delicate as every move we make could affect the entire scenario.
Apologetic_Purple_Witch: Although we will most likely come out just fine, this word will definitely not.
Team Reason: …
Team Slash/Dog: (exchange uneasy glances)
Apologetic_White_Tuna: I understand what both of you are saying….!
Apologetic_White_Tuna: But we can't just stand by while Mei, Hachiman, and Sora-chan are in trouble!
Apologetic_Blond_Bird: Which is why I want to suggest that instead of you, I would go instead.
Team Star-Pulse: WHAT?!
Apologetic_White_Tuna: Gabby?! Are you serious?!
Apologetic_Blond_Bird: Yes.
Apologetic_Blond_Bird: I believe I'm strong enough to defend myself but not so powerful that the world's system would see me as a threat.
Noah: Now, now. Both of you calm down.
Noah: I know you are just worried but rash actions won't do anything good.
Noah: Right now what we need to confirm is Hachi, Mei, and Sora-chan's safety, but also the condition of Patricia-san and Kagura-chan's.
Noah: However!
Noah: We have to do it in a way that we won't be branded by the world as invaders.
Noah: So, here's what we'll do—
Hachiman: Whatever you're planning, Noah, there's no need to move. We're fine.
Noah: Hachi!!
Hajime: Bro!!
Tobio: Hachi-san!
Kouki: Bro, you're alright?!
Patricia: Lord Hachiman!!
Hachiman: All of you calm down. Me and Sora are alright.
Hachiman: Seriously, you guys are panicking too much. It's just a minor hiccup, really.
Sora: Ahahaha! Everyone was just worried about us, Hachi-nii!
Mei: Hachiman! Sora-chan! Where are you?! Are both of you really okay?!
Mei: Also @Patricia, Patricia-san, please don't mind it. Knowing you took Kagura to safety is a huge relief for us.
Hachiman: Don't worry, Mei. Sora's with me, and the three beast-kin girls too. We're all safe.
Hachiman: And Mei is right, Patricia-san.
Hachiman: With you taking care of Kagura will put our minds at ease.
Hachiman: And Sora would be fine. Since I'm with her.
Sora: Yes, yes~ completely safe~ no worries!
Sora: Patricia-san, thank you for worrying about me, but I'll be fine. I'm a big girl now after all!
Sora: And what you did was absolutely the right thing!
Sora: You have to protect Kagura-chan, okay?!
Sora: I've got Wan-chan and my mushroom-cloud-inducing gadgets to keep me safe!
Hachiman & Mei: …Now we're suddenly more worried about what kind of damage those gadgets can actually do.
Patricia: Miss Sora… Lady Mei… Lord Hachiman ….
Patricia: Thank you for your kind words….
Patricia: Please don't worry about Miss Kagura, I will stake my life to protect her!
Mei: Please don't go that far… we need you alive and well too, Patricia-san.
Everyone: …That's touching and all, but—
Everyone: SINCE WHEN DID BOTH HACHIMAN AND MEI START CALLING EACH OTHER BY THEIR FIRST NAMES?!
Hachiman: (facepalms) Of course that's the part you all focus on.
Mei: [Blushing HoT sticker]
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