image [https://i.imgur.com/NZ3LCYm.jpeg]

***

Akuma Tiryns

One second, I was running from apocalypse itself, and the next I was laid out flat in a field of rocks, dirt and other unpleasant sleeping items. What the hell is my life...

“*Ugh. My head’s killing me!”

I gripped my head in pain as I sat up and examined my surroundings.

Surely enough, nothing but a few small boulders, and mountains in the distance. Just where the hell did that fossil take me?

“I can’t sense Halter anymore… Actually, I can’t sense anyone anymore. I guess he wasn’t messing around when he said we’d end up in random spots.”

“Who are you talking to?”

I instinctually leaped back and readied a defensive stance.

(A girl?)

The voice came from a girl who looked a little over 160 centimeters.

Her hair was short and the color of almonds. It matched perfectly with her light auburn maid uniform.

She kinda looked like a mix of Rin and Emily.

“Who are you?” I asked her.

“As I thought, you’re not from this world, are you?”

“…And what makes you think that?”

I decided it was best not to tell her the truth. This was a new world, with their own customs and I didn’t have any extra lives to spare.

“Well… you know the language of our King.”

(Damn it! How could I be so dumb, of course they have a different language! Wait. Why would someone from this world know English? I’ll have to get answers out of her.)

“How does your King know English? And how do you understand it?”

“All of his majesty’s highest-ranking subjects know it.”

“So, he only teaches his elite servants this language?”

“Yep!” she glittered as she answered in a smug tone.

“So, when you snuck up on me, why did you assume I could speak it?”

“…Your hair’s white. And the color white means you’re a demi-god just like his majesty.”

(Demi…God? Wait, is she high?)

“Your face tells me you doubt my words.”

“Uhm, yeah, I do. My hair is clearly black.”

I confirmed this by showing her the dreads in front of my face while asking:

“See?”

“Your whole head isn’t white, dummy. Just the top.”

“Eh?”

I was more than a little confused. Just what was this girl talking about? And are there really demigods in this world? Did I just get ‘isekai’d’ to a fantasy world from an anime?! Holy crap.

“Let me show you” she suggested while approaching me. Naturally I raised my stance even higher. Couldn’t take any chances.

“Oh, calm down. If I wanted to hurt you, then you’d already be hurt.”

I’ll admit that she gave off the aura of an experienced veteran, but I could still take her. Maybe.

I decided to trust her. I mean, what’s the worst that could happen? She skewers my guts open and watches as I die slowly and painfully?... Nah.

She handed me a piece of glass so I could see my reflection.

My first thought was (Who carries broken glass around… weirdo.) But surprisingly, she was right. The reason I hadn’t noticed earlier was because only the hair on the center of my head had turned white.

“Woahh… You’re right.”

“Yeah. I know.”

“When’d that happen?”

“HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO KNOW!”

“Hey, I didn’t catch your name” I said to her while handing her back the shard of broken glass.

“Yeah. Cause I didn’t tell you...”

(We just met, and you already found a way to piss me off.)

“Well, don’t keep me waiting” I said while flashing an irritating grin.

“…It’s Polyxena Troy.”

“Poly…xena? Don’t you think that’s a mouthful?”

“Yeah. I didn’t give myself the name.”

“Can I call you Xena for short?”

“Xena...? C-Call me what you want”

It was a small request. One that anyone would’ve asked, yet her cheeks were as red tomatoes. Watching her blush like that highlighted just how cute she was.

“Back off woman. My heart belongs to Alice.”

“H-huh? Wh-What are you talking about-?”

“Nothing.”

“…Well. What’s your name?”

“Fu-fu. I thought you’d never ask."

I readied myself for a performance of a lifetime. And in a cool and mysterious tone I went as such:

"...My name’s Tiryns. Akuma Tiryns.”

(Sold it! I bet I sounded just like the guys in suits with gold pistols from the movies!)

“T-Tir…yns? TIR…YNS?! TIRYNS??!”

“Eh-? Is my name famous around here or somethin-”

As that last word crossed my lips, I felt a sharp object graze my right cheek. Let’s just say, I found out why she was carrying that shard of glass around.

The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

image [https://i.imgur.com/L23kv2L.jpeg]

“Uhh. What are you doing?”

“SHUT YOUR MOUTH, HERETIC!!”

“Heretic?! What are you talking ab-”

Leaving no room for chatter, she followed up with an onslaught of strikes and slashes -all aimed for the kill. Nonetheless, my flawless footwork allowed me to dodge every last one.

(Oh c'mon. I JUST got here!)

“Look, I was just quoting a movie I watched, I didn’t mean to offend you!”

For a moment, I thought that calmed her down because she finally stopped her sudden frenzy to collect her breath. But then she muttered “How did I not notice it earlier… Your face... You’re the spitting image of that man.”

“That man? Woman, who the hell are you talking about?”

“Don’t play dumb with me! You must be his son!”

She must’ve realized slashing me wouldn’t work because she took the shard of glass and placed it in her mouth -gripping it with her teeth.

Then she dropped her center of gravity and entered a stance akin to a wild animal.

For some reason, my instinct was telling me she’d be too fast to dodge. But blocking seemed to be out of the question too.

(Crap. I don’t think footwork can get me out of this one. I guess I’ll just try to counter. Wait. Where did she go…)

Before my brain could process her leaping at me, she was already moments away from drilling straight through my chest.

I couldn’t keep up with her movements but something was screaming at me to move out the way. Problem is, I just couldn’t. My body just couldn’t keep up with my brain.

I could feel the shard as it contacted my skin and poked down as if forcing its way through.

In the midst of it all I thought (Yep. This is it for me.)

But then. It just stopped.

*CRACKK!

The sound of her bones as they crinkled, and the image of her body folded like cloth would remain in my mind for the rest of my life.

Separating the shard in her mouth and my skin was a hand -a small, kind looking hand. The hand of a woman. And despite her only using this one hand, she was able to stop Xena’s entire attack. Hell, she even used it against her.

I felt disgusted while looking at Xena’s distorted body. Her damn bones were sticking out.

But more than that, I felt… good. Not the “relieved that I’m alive” kind of good. The “serves you right!” kind of good.

“I hope you’re alright, Mr. Tiryns.”

She was tall. Much taller than me. In fact, I had to tilt my head upwards just to meet her gaze.

The question “How do you know me?” exited my lips as I bared witness to her beauty.

She had long, silky hair that reminded me of the equally beautiful night sky. Her eyes were like two obsidian gems begging to be collected. And her flower pattern kimono only enhanced her elegance. She was the kind of woman that could only be described as heavenly.

And in a voice that matched her perfectly she said:

“I know everything about you. After all, you’re the child of prophecy.”

“…You’re very pretty.”

“Uh-Umm. Ahh... T-Thank you?”

“No problem.”

{His mind still hasn’t processed her beauty.}

With flustered cheeks she cleared her throat and informed:

“Here isn’t the best place to talk. Follow me.”

“Where are you taking me -uhm… whoever you are?”

“Rude! And you're so untrusting.”

“Sorry, that’s how I was raised.”

“You don’t need to apologize. I like that about you…” she praised with a smile.

I won’t sit here and lie to you. I almost forgot all about Alice when she smiled at me like that. And don’t bother chastising me because I know you would’ve done the same. Hell, you probably would’ve proposed to her right there and then.

“…My name is Tang Sanzang. And I’m taking you to my kingdom.”

***

She said she’d take me to her kingdom but I’m still questioning what she meant.

Did she mean “her kingdom” as in she’s the queen? Or “her kingdom” as in her homeland?

We traveled in a wagon that was carried by horse. The road was a bit bumpy, but that didn’t bother me much -it’s not like I’m a dragon slayer.

If I’m being honest, it felt kinda awesome. I was really riding in a frickin wagon! In a new world too! I don’t know what destiny has in store for me, but I. Am. Excited!

We traveled like that for 30 minutes give or take until we finally reached our destination.

I could tell we arrived from the huge commotion outside.

I couldn’t make out everything -not with how loud they were- but it sounded like they were welcoming someone back. And so passionately too. Jesus, you’d think they were welcoming a war hero.

The wagon stopped at a large Chinese temple.

It wasn’t the most beautiful or anything, but you could tell someone important lived here.

(Either she’s royalty or she’s got some serious connections! Knowing my luck, I’m leaning more towards royalty.)

Greeting us at the entrance were three monks. They were triplets and all wearing the same brown and black robes. Like most monks, they were all bald. Hehe. Baldies.

“Welcome back, Lady Tripitaka” they greeted in perfect unison.

(Yep… I was right on the money)

“It’s good to be back. Please prepare a bath and change of clothes for the boy.”

“Consider it done.”

Then they disappeared into thin air.

I won’t act like that wasn’t the coolest as hell.

“What do you mean a change of clothes?! Is there something wrong with the ones I have now?”

Sure, I was still wearing my school uniform, but was that really a problem? Can’t we all have our own taste in fashion…

“That uniform is in horrible taste! You will change into a kimono.”

“U-Uh. Rude! And I’m not changing. You can’t make me!”

{Later that day, she very much did make him.}

***

My name is Akuma Tiryns. Age 17. And my birthday is April the 3rd.

Currently I am in a very dire situation.

I’m trapped in a large bath -one that could easily fit 50 people- with just one other person… A person who happens to be a very sexy woman -any man would kill for.

You’re probably asking how I got myself in such a dire situation. To be honest, I’m not all that sure myself.

Sanzang said she felt dirty from killing that maid girl earlier, so she wanted to wash up immediately.

Sounds reasonable. We’re still on the same page here.

Where you lose me is afterwards -when she dragged me by my head to come join her.

I’m not an expert or anything but that has to be some kind of assault! This woman is a criminal, and she must be dealt with!

To add to her charges, she was currently groping every inch of my back while we soaked in the hot springs, whispering “(You have such defined muscles.)”

“Gee… thanks…”

(I’m sorry Alice. I tried to resist but she’s too strong.) I thought in a sobbing and sniffling tone.

“Hmph. What’s this scar doing here?”

She was referring to a scar I had on the lower section of my back. It was a piercing wound that originated from my gut.

“Not sure. I’ve had this wound for as long as I can remember.

“As long as you can remember… And how long is that?”

“Uhh… I guess since I was seven.”

“Seven?! Isn’t that awfully late?”

“Huh… I guess I hadn’t put that much thought into it.”

“(Fu-fu. Enough talk about that)” she whispered in my ears gently. “I wouldn’t suppose your ticklish?”

(UNHAND ME YOU CRIMINAL!)

Before I could even answer her, it was already over. The woman who was previously migrating her finger up and down my back was now violating my sides and neck.

Hehe. Sike. I’m not ticklish.

“…Wait…are you not-”

“Nope!”

That’s when the roles got reversed. ‘Flipped the script’ as one would say.

She hollered and begged me to stop.

“Please, please -enough!” she cried out.

But her flailing -even while splashing water everywhere- only fueled my drive to keep going. Hell, she fell over in the bath and that didn’t stop me either.

I enjoyed listening to her cries as she squirmed. Serves you right.

Unfortunately for me, that ended pretty quickly. I guess she got tired and remembered how overpowered she was.

“You went completely overboard, boy” she said in a pouty tone.

“Sorry ma’am…”

A large bump poked out my head as I apologized in standard seiza position.

“…Isn’t it time you stop addressing me as boy? It feels kinda weird since we’ve bathed together.”

“Hmm… I suppose you’re right. Then I shall start calling you by your name, Tenshi.”

“Eh?”

“I said, I’ll start calling you by your name. Isn’t that what you wanted?”

“No-no. What did you call me?”

“…Tenshi? Your name?”

“Negative, ma’am. I’m Akuma. Tenshi’s my brother… I thought you said you knew everything about me. Are you a con artist?”

His words had no meaning behind them but to simply fix a misunderstanding. Yet they rang in Sanzang’s head like bells.

In a concerning tone she asked “W-What’s your brother’s last name?”

“Tiryns… Why?”

“And what’s your last name?”

“Uhm… the same as his, Tiryns. Did something happen?”

Just then, the gears in Sanzang’s head began to turn, and at rapid speeds. She scrounged up all her memories and laid them out to examine. Yet try as she might, she couldn’t find any answers. This formula simply had no viable conclusion.

After all, Tenshi doesn’t have a brother. At least, he wasn’t supposed to. Not according to the “prophecy”.

“Hey, are you even listening?”

“Huh? Oh. Sorry about that… I think I’ve been in the bath too long… Akuma. Meet me in the living room when you’re done.”

“Yes ma’am.”