Chapter X : Refight Again

Night and day alternated indicating that several days had passed since my training with Saoto. After many exhausting attempts, I finally managed to master my ability to shapeshift thanks to the help of Saoto and Ena who helped me a lot. However, things didn't go as I expected...

"From now on, DON'T TOUCH SEI?!!" (Panic)

I panicked as soon as Saoto approached me to cheer me up by stroking my head as soon as I managed to transform into 'Seinaru' while the white dress I was wearing just now turned into a jacket and black shorts in one attempt. I then quickly shook my head and waved both of my hands at him to reject his offer even though I was a little reluctant by it. However, there is one problem that scared me to death.

"WHAT IF SAOTO TOUCH SEI WHEN WE'RE IN BATTLE?!!" (Panic)

I told him not to continue his intentions so that I could control myself later when fighting with him. For a succubus like me, a high determination is required for me to be able to use my shape-shifting abilities that could be cast without using any mana. Although I can only change my form between my male and succubus forms for the time being, thanks to the training, I finally learned that I can change back into my male form again whenever my fighting will is strong enough. Despite that, with the slightest touch of Saoto's hand, my desire to fight instantly drained to be replaced by my desire to make love and feel the warmth of his body. Therefore, I tried my best to prevent him from continuing to stroke my head right now to train my desire not to be diverted while fighting. The slightest mistake on the battlefield, my life will surely fly away. As the saying goes, an apple a day keeps the doctor away. (Proverbs from previous life memory)

Puff.

In an instant, I was shocked to see a cloud of red smoke that suddenly appeared and surrounded my body. I then went back to thinking after seeing my body turn back into a succubus again. My clothes didn't change back into the dress I was wearing earlier but instead changed into the underwear that showed my entire body shape clearly to him and Ena who were standing near me. I then gave up on my fate and fell silent for a while after thinking about whatever just happened to my body right now.

("Freak... He didn't even touch me yet I still changed...") (Stared)

My body froze as I continued to watch the floor after I remembered that I was not even directly touched by Saoto but instantly turned back into a succubus. I then bowed my head while cupping both my cheeks after remembering something.

("Damn, this is dangerous. With this, I won't be able to look at him at all directly during the fight later. That will also make it difficult for him again as we fought the white warrior that day-hmmph") (Anxious)

"It's fine, Sei. Saoto is quite happy to see that Sei doesn't hide Sei's feelings from Saoto at all..."

I fell silent as soon as Saoto hugged my head tightly which was gently placed on his chest before gently stroking my head. I don't know why my restless heart calmed down as soon as he treated me like that. My tail also swayed slowly as if it also got swayed by the warm atmosphere that arose from his embrace. I, who had regained my composure, then looked up at Saoto's face in front of me to ask him something.

"But Saoto, why are we rushing on these attempts? Is there something urgent-"

I asked Saoto who seemed to be in a bit of a hurry to help me master my shapeshifting ability with a puzzled look. It's not because I don't want to be useful to him later or what, I just want to know the reason why he's actively helping me these past few days. However, before I could finish my sentence, I was suddenly surprised as soon as Saoto kissed my cheek without hesitation. I, who was embarrassed by his kiss then fell silent since I didn't know how to respond properly to it. I then lowered my gaze after realizing that my cheeks had now turned red in front of him. I continued to shut up myself, who was still embarrassed, before Saoto opened his mouth again to say something.

"Saoto has to prepare Sei before our journey to Sei's old castle later. Even though Saoto is strong, Sei wants to bend a hand too, right?"

I looked at his face with a surprised face as soon as he questioned me. I didn't think Saoto would know that much about me even though we only fought together once and that was when we fought the white armored warriors that day. I then nodded slowly to him to affirm his doubt just now.

"Hurm..." (Nod)

For a moment, I was startled as soon as Ena who had been silent finally opened her mouth again to say something. Her hands tightly gripped the tray that she had brought to offer us water as we were practicing earlier. With a flat face, Ena cleared her throat before saying something.

"Ehem... Ena doesn't want to interfere with Mahou's lovey-dovey relationship right now but Ena bets that on Mahou's journey later, the other Demon King will come to interfere"

"Huh?"

I looked at Ena with a surprised face as if I didn't believe what I just heard. I then asked her again since I doubted something.

"But, Ena... Why do they want to come for us if we don't even disturb their palace? Isn't there a peace agreement between the Five Great Demon Kings that ruled Terror Canyon?"

I looked straight into her face while asking her in wonder. It's just hard to believe that there is no peace agreement between the Demon King who rules this Terror Canyon. If a thousand years ago the ruler was only me as a Tyrannical Demon King but now there are five of them who control Five different regions. It would be almost impossible for the Five Great Kings to survive until now since there must be a greedy Demon King who would like to take control of other territories too. Ena lowered her head for a moment before raising it again after being silent for a moment while thinking about something. I kept looking at her face with a thousand questions in my mind.

"Even though there is indeed a peace agreement between the Five Demon Kings, Mahou's destination just now is the palace of Queen Lumina, the leader of the Five Great Demon Kings. The other Demon Kings will not just sit idly as soon as their leader is challenged. Plus, it seems that they already know Mahou's identity as a Tyrannical Demon King that had ruled the land a thousand years ago."

"Not only that,..."

I was surprised as soon as Saoto joined the conversation while gently stroking my head. Saoto then continued his words as I looked directly into his face with a puzzled look.

"The strength of the five Devil Kings cannot be underestimated either. They have proven to have succeeded in subduing all the demons in Terror Canyon and even not a single one of them dared to challenge their position. Although Saoto had won once against the Demon King Baros who ruled Miltia before, we have to admit that we are outnumbered right now"

I fell silent as soon as I heard every bit of his words. If he alone had recognized the strength of the other Four Demon Kings, who am I to doubt since I'm unable to use any magic myself. I then lowered my head while thinking about what was waiting for me in my journey in the future which would be filled with difficulties since there would be four other Demon Kings that would have their eyes on me including The Kingdom. However, I was suddenly startled by Saoto who lowered his head to look directly at my face with a smile on his face. I fell silent for a moment as soon as I saw his smile which somehow very pleased my heart. My head also was gently stroked by him before he opened his mouth again to say something.

"Sei, don't be afraid. Plus, Sei has mastered Sei's abilities. After all, Saoto won't sit still if Saoto's beautiful fiancee is touched by another Demon King's hand"

"EEP?!!"

I was surprised as soon as Saoto acted to kiss my hand after being held tightly by him who wanted to comfort me. For a moment, my cheeks reddened with embarrassment as soon as I realized that Ena was still standing next to me. Even so, I didn't let go of my hand, maybe because I wanted to be comforted by him and feel that dull lips of him touched gently my entire body again. Ena who was silent for a while then looked back at me before opening her mouth again.

"Ehem... So, how many places has Mahou been kissed today?..." (Teased)

I, who was shocked then turned my face to see Ena still standing next to me. I then looked back at Saoto who had been kissing my hand for a while before holding his head and directed him with my still reddened cheeks.

"A-anu Sa-Saoto... T-That's e-enough for today... Ena is looking at us..." (Embarrassed)

Saoto immediately looked at my face which was still red with embarrassment. His gaze was then shifted to my tail which was swaying quickly showing him my heart which was not calm at all right now. Saoto then released his grip before gently stroking my head again. Even though I was still embarrassed by what just happened, my heart didn't reject his hand to continue caressing my head at the time. Saoto then got back up after stroking my head for a while. His gaze was focused on the window that displayed the scenery of Miltia as if something had just happened. Saoto who felt something off then told me and Ena who was still silent in wonder after looking at surprised Saoto earlier.

"There is a Demon King who just entered Miltia"

My eyes widened as soon as I heard the news delivered by Saoto. We have just finished discussing the Demon King who cannot be taken for granted and can become a threat to our journey later. Now, one of them has come to visit us in Miltia. Ena, who had been standing still adjusted her posture again before bowing respectfully to Saoto in front of her.

"Understood. Ena will act to tighten the safety of the entire palace to guard it against any sudden attack by the enemy"

Saoto nodded his head slowly while looking at Ena to allow her action. Ena then quickly turned back before leaving both of us alone in the library that had been my training ground for the past few days. Seeing that Saoto went silent for a while, I then ran after him before holding his hand tightly to say something to him.

"Hey, Saoto... S-Sei wants to come along..." (Worried)

I looked into his face with a face full of worry. Although I don't deny his might as a warrior and protector of Miltia, I don't want to see him carry out his duties alone. After all, I have worked hard for these past few days to use it now. It's not like I'll be a little lonely without him, maybe.

Saoto grinned for a moment while looking at me. I was looking directly into his face with shining eyes so that I could be taken to the battlefield with him. With a heavy tone, Saoto shook his head while holding his forehead before saying back to me.

"Uhm... I-It's fine, but S-Sei is sure to go with just that?..."

Saoto opened one of his eyes to sneak a peek at my body. I, who was still puzzled by his strange question, then looked at my body again to make sure of something. For a moment my cheeks reddened again as soon as I remembered that I was still wearing just underwear from earlier which had been showing all the curves of my body to him. I quickly covered my chest with both my hands and bent my body slightly so that his eyes wouldn't look directly at me. Saoto who saw me reacting like that to hold back my feelings of embarrassment then approached me before holding my body tightly next to him. I, who was surprised by his actions then looked at him in surprise before Saoto said something to my ears again.

"Saoto doesn't even want to let Sei go just like this. That seductive body of Sei was allowed to only tempt Saoto's heart..."

I was silent for a moment as soon as Saoto praised me like that. Despite being shy, somehow I don't mind letting him see my body shape right now. Maybe since I now know that Saoto doesn't want my body to be seen by people other than him just as like me.

Somehow, my breathing suddenly became heavy in his arms again. My heart was also beating fast while my tail was wagging quickly as if it had been waiting for something from him. My mind, which can no longer think clearly, kept waiting for Saoto to do something to my body. Saoto, who was silent, looked at my reaction as if I expected something from him, then bit my ear with his lips before gently caressing my ear with his tongue. I, who was no longer able to hold myself then let out a strange noise from my mouth that instantly filled the entire library. Although I realized that this was not the right time for us to make love like this, my heart won't stop restless if he didn't do a single thing to me. I then continued to enjoy the soft touch of his tongue playing my ear for a few moments before my eyes gradually turned orange. For a moment I was startled as soon as I saw a large fire magic approaching us who was still making love as I looked outside.

Bam.

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On the border of Miltia, all the demons trembled in fear as soon as they saw a woman who came out of nowhere suddenly exerting great magic somewhere. The woman in the purple hat and robes like a witch then laughed heartily at the frightened reaction of the demons around her. The woman then raised both hands in the air while waving it to calm everyone there.

"Relax, relax... I didn't come to scare you. I just have some business with-"

For a moment, a strong wind suddenly blew while blocking everyone's view on the streets. A magic circle was etched on the ground while releasing a powerful aura around it. All the demons there were covering their eyes with their hands so that the flying dust didn't enter their eyelids except the woman. For a moment, two figures had just appeared as soon as everything calmed down again. The woman grinned at the figure in front of her as if she was waiting for him to arrive.

"Oh my... You managed to survive that deadly magic I used earlier"

The woman clapped her hands as she was amused by what she had just witnessed. In an instant, the silent figure spoke again after being silent for a while.

"YOU ARE LOOKING FOR YOUR DEATH TO COME AT A TIME LIKE THIS..." (Furious)

Saoto clenched his fists tightly as he looked at the woman who had just admitted that the deadly magic earlier was cast by her. I stood behind Saoto and patted his shoulder while saying something to him.

"SAOTO, LET'S TEACH HER A LESSOn-"

I went silent for a moment as soon as I remembered something. I then checked all over my body to make sure of something. I was now in my male form while wearing a black jacket and long pants that covered my entire body. I breathed a sigh of relief for a moment after realizing that I wasn't wearing the underwear I had just worn earlier when my body had already changed like this. The woman would surely be laughing at me while thinking that I'm a pervert yet with a strange fetish.

"Not bad... Not only did you manage to survive the magic earlier but you also mastered using long-distance teleportation. Interesting..."

The woman frowned and scratched her chin as she thought about something. I, who was still puzzled by her, then looked at Saoto to ask him something.

("Hmph?")

("EH?!!") (Surprised)

I was shocked as soon as I heard his voice in my mind. However, I suddenly recalled that this was the telepathic magic that Saoto once used to communicate with me. I then asked him about what bothered me right now.

("Hey Saoto. Is that teleportation magic is really hard to deploy?")

I asked him since I thought the woman was also amazed as soon as she saw us. Saoto then returned to answer my question after being silent for a while to think about something.

("If nobles in general, they only able to teleport between adjacent buildings. Not only that, the caster can also feel what is happening in that building since basically, this teleportation magic itself is a kind of space control magic")

I looked at his face as if I didn't believe what I just heard. Based on his explanation, teleportation magic is not only capable of moving places but the caster also being able to feel whatever happens at the destination. With that said, the teleportation capacity that can be used by Saoto himself is very large considering that the entire Miltia region cannot escape his supervision.

("Perhaps that's why Saoto can even know exactly as soon as a Demon Lord enters the border of his territory...") (Disbelief)

However, I was no longer surprised by Saoto knowing that his abilities were not the same as an average noble but even beyond a veteran mage. The magic deployed by this woman earlier was also in an instant destroyed by him without even looking at it. He blindly cast the magic that instantly caused the large magic ball of fire to shatter into pieces in the air without causing any damage. I, who finally understood the content of the conversation, then looked back at the woman's face, who momentarily clenched both hands before shouting in furious.

"DO NOT IGNORE ME?!!"

For a moment the witch exerted all her energy to cast dozens of magic circles floating in the air while surrounding her. With agility, I immediately took out my sword that I had brought earlier before pointing it at the woman while Saoto was busy chanting his magic. In an instant, many magic circles filled my vision since both SAOTO and the woman were capable of chanting many magic circles at a time. I, who could only wield my sword, was only aware of my surroundings to ward off any spell directed at me. In an instant, the witch grinned again while shouting something.

"HHAHAHA?!! TAKE THIS?!!"

For a moment, my vision became blurry as soon as a cloud of smoke appeared after dozens of spells that the witch had cast were released simultaneously. Even so, I still managed to deflect some of the magic that was aimed at me using my sword which was now able to withstand any powerful attack once Saoto cast strengthening magic on it. I then looked back at my surroundings to ascertain the condition of Saoto and the witch. Although I'm sure they won't be hurt by that since both of them alone can exert that much magic which is very inhuman.

"Hmph?" (Shocked)

I was shocked as soon as I saw a protective barrier that was protecting me cracked and pierced by magic as soon as the smoke that surrounded me just gradually disappeared. I then breathed a sigh of relief because I had survived the death that wanted to pick me up earlier.

("I'm so lucky that Saoto cast a protective spell on me... Otherwise, I am not sure I will make out alive from this...") (Stared)

I then looked back at Saoto next to me to make sure of his situation. For a moment I was startled as soon as I saw his badly injured body as a result of the many deadly spells that had been cast on him earlier. I then ran to find him who was clutching his chest tightly to hold back the pain as if he couldn't believe what I just saw with both eyes at this moment. The defeated Saoto collapsed before my eyes. I then hugged his head tightly for a few moments before remembering my beautiful memories with him.

Every smile that cools my heart...

Every gentle caress by his two hands that always soothed me...

Every time he serves my ego as his lover...

Unbeknownst to me, my eyes watered while tears slowly fell from my eyes. I cried a lot looking at Saoto's helpless face at this moment. Mixed feelings of sadness and anger bubbled up, I then turned back towards the female figure standing not far in front of me with only one intention in my gaze, to kill her.

I then drew my sword before rushing towards the woman without thinking about anything else in my head. My anger that is bubbling up right now will be released as soon as I manage to cut off her head with both of my hands. For a moment, I was surprised to see her reaction when she waved her hand as if to tell me to stop. However, my heart remained with my original intention so that in just a moment, I was now right in front of her. My eyes blankly looked at her face as I waved my sword without a bit of mercy radiating from both of my eyes.

"S-STOP?!!" (Anxious)

"Just die..."

I was surprised as soon as I felt my sword stopped from cutting the neck in front of me. Filled with a burst of anger, I then looked at her face again before being surprised to see the figure behind him. Saoto acted to hold my sword with his hand after the protective magic that was deployed momentarily broke as soon as it hit my sword. I, who was still surprised and surprised, then pulled back my sword because I was worried that I had injured his hand.

"W-why is Sa-Saoto holding back?!!" (Anxious)

I, who was still shocked by whatever I just saw, then approached Saoto who was still standing next to the witch before carefully examining the condition of her hand. I then tore the end of my pants to bandage the wound. Saoto, on the other hand, just obeyed my wishes while remaining silent while waiting for me to finish dressing his wound. After finishing, Saoto spoke again while patting my shoulder to calm me down.

"Saoto is fine. It's just a little hurt"

My heart was relieved for a moment as soon as I knew that I had not caused him to be seriously hurt. However, I still wonder why Saoto stopped me from slashing the woman's neck earlier. I then squinted as soon as I saw the woman hunker down wanting to run away.

"OK?!!"

The woman sat back on the ground accepting the fate that befell her. Saoto then patted my shoulder again to say something to me.

"Even though he's the Devil King who masters all kinds of magic, he's not good at using magic at all..."

"Huh?!! What does that mean..." (Puzzled)

How can someone good at using magic at the same time not be good at using it. I stared at Saoto's face for a long time before Saoto resumed his conversation.

"Sei, try to see where we are..."

I, who was still puzzled, then looked around me as he instructed. For a moment I was surprised as soon as I saw the atmosphere around me that was supposed to be surrounded by medieval cities now turned into a barren field like a measured field. I was still puzzled and asked him again.

"Eh... All the cities were destroyed as soon as the magic hit-"

"More precisely Saoto moved us all here, a barren land inside the territory of Miltia"

"Uh... Why?"

I kept asking him because it was still not clear what he wanted to convey. Saoto let out a heavy breath for a moment before continuing his speech again.

"Even though he is the Demon King, none of his magic hits his target. That Saoto was just an illusion to distract since Saoto thought that it would be a tense fight but it seemed that Saoto expected too much..."

I was silent for a moment as if I couldn't believe what I just heard. However, I felt so relieved knowing that Saoto was still alive without any serious since the only wound he had right now was done by me.

("Eh, if it's like that then why is there magic that I have to avoid even though it shouldn't shoot at me") (Staring)

"If Sei had to deflect any magic earlier, that was indeed done by Saoto..."

"HUH?!!"

I widened my eyes at him. I then clenched my fists while grumbling at him who looked at me with an innocent face.

"W-WHAT DO SAOTO MEAN?!! WHAT IF SEI DIED JUST NOW?!! SAOTO WILL ALSO sad-"

I was silent for a moment, not daring to continue my words. Although worried, in reality, I just don't want to part with him. Saoto, who was also silent after hearing my blabbering, then returned to gently stroke my head. In an instant, a cloud of red smoke reappeared again indicating that I no longer had the desire to continue the fight since the woman had also admitted her defeat. In an instant, the woman spoke again after being silent for some time.

"Oh, a woman... I thought ga-"

I kept staring with a sharp gaze on her face as a threat not to continue her sentence. The woman was silent for a moment as soon as she understood my glare before returning to ask something.

"What do we want to do now?"

The woman asked considering that all the disagreements had been resolved. Saoto then opened his mouth again to question her on something.

"How come you could shoot magic from afar right near the palace but on the duel, none of them got hit..."

The woman fiddled with her fingers as she thought about something before saying something as soon as she remembered it.

"N-nothing... Despite mastering a lot of magic, I used to rely too much on my teammates to the point that I was unable to use my magic abilities to their maximum potential"

"How about the palace?"

"Oh, that's because I accidentally cast it when I was tripped by a stone. When I asked the locals, they all said it was going to the palace, even though I have no intention of looking for trouble right now."

"Huh?!!" (Shocked)

I, who had only listened to her before then also shook my head as soon as I saw the behavior of the Demon King in front of me. I didn't think there would be a Demon King as stupid and careless as this. Looking at Saoto's level alone, I couldn't have imagined it. The woman in front of me heard me muttering a little before she opened her mouth again with a proud expression on her face.

"Even though I'm a bit stupid, that's indeed why I'm still safe now"

"Safe?..." (Draws sword)

"OK?!!"

I sheathed my sword again before extending my hand to the witch to help her up. I then asked him the motive for his coming to Miltia at this time.