???: [Corti! Forti! I demand your presences at once]

Following the yell of a girl who sat upon her throne, two large knights quickly barged into the room where she resided, kneeling before her with their heads lowered.

Corti and Forti: [Yes, My Lady! What is it that you request?]

???: [Be on guard. I’m not sure why, but I’m sensing some odd signatures approaching. One of them is far more distinct than the others. They have not moved from their positions however.]

Corti: [I see. Yes, of course, My Lady.]

Forti: [Very well. We shall remain cautious should they move in our direction.]

They continued to kneel in silence, noticing that the girl who they served did not dismiss them following her statement.

Corti and Forti: [Is everything alright, My Lady?]

???: [It’s strange. We’ve had uninvited guests before, but none were ever to at this level…]

Corti: [Are they truly this abnormal?]

Forti: [Perhaps we should remain vigilant to an even higher degree. If they possess the power to make it past us, then who knows what will happen to–]

???: [You need not worry about me. Should they move past you two, I will deal with them personally.]

Corti and Forti: [But, My La–]

???: [There will be no counter arguments towards this. Besides, I can handle things on my own.]

Corti: [Ve-very well then, My Lady.]

Forti: [If this is what you insist, then this is how it shall be.]

The girl continued to sit on her throne, playing with her lusciously long crimson pigtails while her eyes of the same color gazed at the floor. All the while her right arm supported her head as it leaned to the side.

???: [That one signature in particular…it feels as though it’s being suppressed. As if to say it could become much higher than the level it is at.]

The girl then sat up, and focused her attention on her knights.

???: [Regardless, stay on guard. Who knows what these beings have in store for us. You’re dismissed for now.]

Corti and Forti: [Yes, My Lady!]

With that, the two knights quickly marched out of the room. A loud thud came from the now closed, iron doors. The girl sat in the room by her lonesome now, dwelling on thoughts relating to what she had sensed.

???: [They are free to try and enter. But by the time they see such a terrifying castle, they’ll most likely think twice before charging forward.]

△▼△▼△▼△△▼△▼△▼△△▼△▼△▼△△▼△▼△▼△△▼△▼△▼△△▼△▼

Kōkatsu: [So…that’s not the castle, right?]

Shiro: [It kinda looks like a massive…well…]

Nero: [Let’s not be rude now. I’m sure they’re idea was something rather grand for such a structure.]

Kaoru: [I don’t know, Mister Nero. It kinda looks like a…]

Silvia: [It issss a cake.]

The party had finally arrived at their destination, completely flabbergasted by what they had seen. What stood before them was a castle that soared into the sky with its own height. A dark red hue was painted over every individual brick, providing a dark and intimidating look to the fortress.

However, a problem existed with this intimidation method. While the height and color of the building gave an opposing feel to it, the way it had been structured did not.

It was shaped as though it was a round, fluffy cake. Gumdrop-like rooks had been built all around it. The flag on the very top had been shaped to resemble that of a candle, with the very top of it being lit on fire. In front of the candle had been a large round sign, similar to that of a chocolate centerpiece on cake, that read “Enter if you dare!”. There was even a bright red line that spanned around the center of the castle, like the cream in the middle of a large cake.

Kōkatsu: [There’s no fuckin’ way…there is no way in hell that THIS is our next task. We’re bein’ lied to. Remember the last task? There’s definitely somethin’ else we gotta do.]

Nero: [It’s…odd to say, but no, this is most certainly where we are headed.]

Kōkatsu: [Oh yeah? And how do ya figure that?]

Shiro: [There’s a presence inside. A strong one. It’s definitely her.]

Silvia: [If I may assssk, how sssstrong doessss it feel?]

Nero: [It’s hard to gauge the strength of someone off just their matōki alone, but there is certainly something of merit towards the signature residing within there.]

Kaoru: [Do you think it is possible to beat her?]

Shiro: [There’s only one way to find out, I suppose.]

Kōkatsu: [There’s no fuckin’ way. I refuse to believe it. All of ya are just gaslightin’ me or some shit. I get it, I ate some of the food in your bags before my own. That was my bad, now come clean.]

Silvia: [Exsssscusssse me?]

Shiro: [You did what?!]

Nero: [With that odd comment aside…I’m sorry if it seems as though we are pulling your leg, Kōkatsu, but it’s the truth.]

Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.

Shiro: [Yeah…Anyways, I think before we head in, we should probably make a plan.]

Silvia: [Indeed, that would be ideal. I will not let her comment sssslide however.]

The group then huddled into a circle, Kōkatsu still scratching her head over the thought of this structure being their destination. Shiro picked up a stick that resided on the ground, and started to draw a plan on the sand below.

Shiro: [From what we can see, there’s two guards by the front of the castle. Now normally, I would say this wouldn’t require very much effort to deal with, but this woman wouldn’t be treated as much of a threat as she is if they were weak. Meaning we should be cautious of both them, along with any other guards that reside within the castle itself. Furthermore, sneaking in would be the most ideal way of getting in. The only unfortunate part is that I’m not entirely sure on how we’d sneak in. There may be some loose brick around that may allow us to crawl our way in, which would be nice. I think our safest bet though–]

Silvia: [May I interrupt for a moment?]

Shiro: [Hm? What’s up, Silvia?]

Silvia: [That Kaoru girl issss no longer here.]

Shiro: [Wha–]

Nero: [Pardo–]

Kōkatsu: [WHAT?!]

The team looked towards the spot in which Kaoru had once been kneeling, only to see a note with the text “Gonna try the sneaking option. Be right back!” written on it. Kaoru’s full name, along with a happy face was placed at the end of the note.

Kōkatsu: [WHERE THE HELL DID–THERE!]

Kōkatsu had started to search around the area, before spotting Kaoru in the distance heading towards the castle. The rest of the group had turned their heads upon seeing Kōkatsu pointing.

Nero: [She made it that far in mere seconds?!]

Kōkatsu: [Yahahahaha! That’s what a kitsune is really capable o–OOOOO WHAT THE FUCK AM I SAYIN’?! WE GOTTA HURRY UP AND GO! THAT DUMB BRAT OF MINE IS GONNA GET HERSELF KILLED!]

Shiro: [I agree! Although I’m not sure you should call your newly adopted daughter dumb.]

Kōkatsu: [I LOVE HER BUT SHE’S STILL A FOOLISH LITTLE CHILD! NOW LET’S HURRY THE FUCK AND MOVE!]

Shiro, Silvia and Nero: [R-right!]

The quartet quickly rushed forward in order to reach Kaoru, heading towards the main gate of the castle despite Kaoru moving towards the side in order to sneak in.

Shiro: [So if she’s headed that way, wouldn’t it also make sense for us to move in that direction as well?]

Kōkatsu: [By the time we get there, she’s already gonna sneak her tiny fox body into the castle! So our new plan is to take these two jackasses out, and then grab her when we get inside!]

Nero: [I suppose that’s the correct option…but shouldn’t we remain cautious of the guards who are standing on duty there?]

Kōkatsu: [I DON’T GIVE A SHIT IF THEY’RE SOME THREE YEAR HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPS OR THE LOCAL BARBERS, I’M KICKIN’ THEIR ASSES WHEN WE GET THERE!]

Silvia: [I would be a little consssserned if they were heavyweight championssss.]

Kōkatsu: [I COULD PROBABLY BECOME A FOUR YEAR CHAMP MYSELF IF I TRIED, NOW LET’S KEEP MOVIN’!]

The group continued to rush towards the gate, and before long, they were close to reaching the doors of the castle.

???: [Stop right there, trespassers!]

???: [Yes! Stop right there!]

Kōkatsu: [THE ONLY THING I’M STOPPIN’ IS YER FUCKIN’ HEARTBEATS!]

The two guards that had stood in front of the castle doors turned to face one another.

???: [That one is rather scary.]

???: [Perhaps we should change our statement?]

???: [Yes. Let us do so.]

Their attention changed from one another to Kōkatsu, and they began to flex the muscles that protruded through their armor.

Corti: [My name….is Corti!]

Forti: [And I…am Forti.]

Corti and Forti: [Together we are…]

Kōkatsu: [...IN MY WAY!]

Kōkatsu lunged towards the two, her fist ready to strike them down. While she had prepared to do so, however, the two knights turned the upper halves of their bodies to face the doors behind them, with a fist raised in the air. Their bodies mirroring the pose of one another.

Corti and Forti: [Caramel…]

Kōkatsu: [Aster…]

Corti and Forti: [...CLOTHESLINE!]

The two knights spun their upper halves towards Kōkatsu, hitting her in two different sections of her stomach with a clothesline.

Kōkatsu: [...hk!]

Kōkatsu was sent flying back from the impact, back to where the rest of the group had been. Her teeth grinded together due to the pressure of the attack.

Corti: [Well? What do you think?]

Forti: [This is one of our many great techniques! It’s name was provided to us by the great lady that we serve!]

Kōkatsu slowly stood up once more, coughing on occasion due to the impact of the combined attack of the knights.

Kōkatsu: [The heavyweight shit was completely wrong, they’re more like amatuer heels.]

Corti: [Heels?]

Forti: [As in the part of one’s foot?]

Kōkatsu: [Guess no one watches wrestlin’ now, huh?]

Shiro: [Are you alright, Kō?!]

Kōkatsu: [They knocked the wind out of me a bit, but overall, I’m still me. Gonna take a whole lot more than that to take me down.]

Corti: [You need not worry then!]

Forti: [We have many techniques in store!]

Kōkatsu: [Seems like the carnival is back in town with the way these clowns are actin’...Oi, Nero. The fuck are ya doin’?]

While Kōkatsu had finally started to rise from her kneeling position, she noticed Nero moving in front of both her, and the rest of the party.

Nero: [Kōkatsu. If it is alright, allow me to handle these two.]

Kōkatsu: [Oi, oi, don’t go interruptin’ my fight!]

Nero: [I do not wish to do so, however, these two will only delay our progress in getting Kaoru back. Allow me to deal with them, and the rest of you will be able to carry on towards where she is headed.]

Shiro: [Nero…]

A smile rose on Nero’s face as he looked back to face Shiro.

Nero: [I can promise you, I will be fine.]

Kōkatsu: [Oi, Nero. I just wanna make one thing clear.]

Nero: [Yes?]

Kōkatsu: [Yer not doin’ this cause of the pretty little princess inside, are ya?]

In response to Kōkatsu’s comment, Nero let out a small chuckle, before shaking his head.

Nero: [I plan on handling this trial myself. Much like that, I will not allow my friends to be harmed or pushed back due to a responsibility of my own. I will do what I must here, and from there, we will proceed forward.]

Corti: [He is so humble!]

Forti: [He is so noble!]

Much like Nero had done towards her own response, Kōkatsu chuckled at Nero’s response.

Kōkatsu: [Alrighty, Sir White Knight. We’ll be on our way then. Try not to die though. Also, I asked during the original trials, but are ya sure you don’t want a peek at–]

Nero: [I’m quite alright, thank you.]

Kōkatsu: [Hm. Suit yerself.]

Kōkatsu, Shiro, and Silvia moved towards the entrance of the castle. The knights that had stood there quickly moved to stand in front of them.

Corti: [Halt! Though his words may have been strong…]

Forti: [This does not mean we will allow you to-]

The guard’s words were cut short, as a massive flow of matōki had erupted in front of them. Their attention quickly changed towards the man who stood in front of them. A blue tint now shaded the entire area around them.

He was not in an angered or irritated state, nor did he have the desire to kill or harm, but the man who had stood before the knights had looked as though he was prepared to put his life on the line for his friends.

Kōkatsu: [Heh. And there it is. A real shame we aren’t even gonna see what he can do.]

Shiro: [It really is a tremendous amount…]

Silvia: [Let ussss move, ladiessss.]

The three of them moved towards the doors, opening and moving into the castle to proceed forward.

A loud thud occurred after the doors slowly closed, and the only sound that had remained was the sand in the air, falling down back onto its original home.

The knights, and the man, stared at each other for several moments.

Corti: [This man…]

Forti: [Is the one that she warned us about…]

Nero: [I see. I suppose my presence would be detected from afar. I must try to train myself in concealing such a thing.]

Corti: [To think that this is his true amount…]

Forti: [It is unreal…]

Nero: [I’m not entirely proud of such power. I’ve never enjoyed the idea of hurting someone else. Oni have their urges, and there were times where I had felt that urge shortly after activating my true form…but I still do not find pleasure in it.]

Corti: [He is an oni…]

Forti: [Which means he still is suppressing much more…]

Nero: [If we are to battle, I would not wish for this to be a battle of cheap tricks and simple murder. I do not know your intentions, but I can promise you this, I will achieve victory in the most harmless way possible.]

Corti: [...]

Forti: [...]

The sand scraping the ground once again filled the noise in the air…before being drowned out by the sounds of Nero’s matōki.

Nero: [I am Nero Virtuoso. I stand before you as a man who will overcome the trial he was given, and one of many future gods in this world, who will provide peace for all! Those who stand before me in an attempt to oppose me, declare yourselves!]

Corti: [This man…]

Forti: [Perhaps…he will…]

The knights stared at one another, before shaking their heads, turning their gaze back towards Nero.

Corti: [I am Corti, of the Corti Forti Brothers, and a servant of My Lady, Yoro Kobi!]

Forti: [I am Forti, of the Corti Forti Brothers, and a servant of My Lady, Yoro Kobi!]

Corti and Forti: [Valiant warrior who stands before us, prepare yourself! We accept your noble challenge, and shall duel you in order to protect Lady Yoro’s honor!]

The two knights had started to flex every inch of muscle on their bodies, while pointing towards Nero.

Nero: [A fine declaration. Very well, let us begin then!]

Nero and the Corti Forti Brothers charged at each other in order to start the chivalrous duel.

A large explosion within the sand beneath the three…shortly followed.

△▼△▼△▼△△▼△▼△▼△△▼△▼△▼△△▼△▼△▼△△▼△▼△▼△△▼△▼