With one slash to a distorted space, I preserve the momentum and motion of the sword that cuts through everything. With one slash to a distorted space, the lazy and slow movements and stroke will be put in a multiple warp vortex amplifying its speed and velocity that breaks the sound barrier. With one slash to a distorted space, dividing the single stroke of sword into maximum of eight that speed was repeatedly harness through distorting facts and reality outside of this realm.

Bypassing the law of physics, disregarding friction and need for kinetic energy, with only the use of the only unexplained force that only this world have, magic, I’ve done something incomprehensible. Maybe my existence itself has long gone from being understandable.

“Well then, there’s only one remaining and that one would be mine!”

“Ou, good luck, Higan!”

She’s right. There’s only one devil remaining. To be honest, this situation was very good to showcase our capabilities and like what I said earlier, it feels like the whole situation is staged. Priscilla might know something about it but if she is one of the collaborators, I won’t be getting any answer out of her.

Looking at the last devil from afar, I shrug my shoulder as Higanbana proudly takes off. Cattleya and I don’t have any idea how strong the fox girl is so we look over at Alstroemeria for answers. We at least want to have a clue of Higanbana’s fighting style.

The smiling Alstroemeria immediately noticed our gazes and smiles at us. Since it has come to this, I take the initiative to ask.

“Higanbana…how strong…is she?”

“Frankly…she is the weakest among us.”

“What do you mean?”

“I know that Higanbana can’t win against that, not how she is right now.”

“Hey…! What does that mean…?”

“I’ve…been teaching Higan the way of Ki. She has the potential to use it but not the talent and karma for it. She indeed may excel in magic so I can put faith to her.”

“Then…shouldn’t we help her?”

“Let her be. If she gets defeated, I’ll jump in and won’t blame her, instead, I’ll tell her…good job…better luck next time. She is fearless but tricky and smart enough to know when to pull back.”

“That’s amazing in more ways…”

“She is motivated so much because she loves Asagao. She is brave enough to move forward and she love Asagao so much that she will do everything to live to see her smile again.”

“…Love…huh…”

“Also…I believe that…people grow second by second if they work very hard. Minute by minute, people evolves into a better or worse person and I believe that Higan will surprise us. What I said earlier is my own judgment of how Higan is a while ago. We don’t know what will happen in the battle.”

“I see…”

Remarkable words…

Even Cattleya gapes her mouth in amazement from Alstroemeria's words. She trusts Higanbana so much that she thinks Higanbana will surpass herself in this battle but at the same time, will readily help her if she gets in trouble and still trusts her.

Higanbana must also be the same.

She trusts Alstroemeria to believe in her while looking at her back, at the same time, she trusts her to help her if she’s unable to defeat the foe. This is a mutual trust that’s born from a common goal, their longing, and love for Asagao.

I don’t quite understand it but I know that it is a wonderful thing.

Higanbana starts running towards the giant devil while golden flame of spears floats around her.

“[Purifying Flame of the Gods – Compressed Version!]”

The flaming spears started spinning and fly toward the giant devil at the same time, Higanbana jumps into the air. Her momentum in the air didn’t break, instead, her feet seems to land on an invisible wind. She climbs up further into the air until she is higher than the devil.

The flaming spear strikes the devil’s body but wasn’t able to pierce it or even made any damage. It was only a distraction when I realize it for Higanbana to gain an aerial advantage by flying a higher altitude than the devil.

“That…how can she float…?”

“Oh? That? Higan is using wind magic to make a foothold, however, since Higan is bad with wind magic, she uses a little ki to make the wind stable enough to support her weight.”

“By the way, what is she good at?”

“She specializes in fire and water spells but she can do more than that.”

“It’s better to see it for myself, huh…”

The giant devil made its move and swings its arms towards the floating fox girl. In response, Higanbana dodges while sending several icicles flying towards the devil. However I see it, her attacks don’t have any impacts or even enough power to do damage.

The icicles shatters as it collided with the devil’s skin. Now that I think about it, Cattleya, Alstroemeria and even I completely disregarded that enemy’s toughness and head on destroyed. Seeing a normal circumstance like this, I am aware that this giant devil would become a huge calamity for a town without strong personnel.

Not to mention, its troublesome regeneration and enormous size.

WHOOSH!

“Kuh…!”

The devil’s punch didn’t hit Higanbana but the air pressure that it brought momentarily disrupts her flying maneuver. She spins her body and recreated the wind foothold while the devil retracts its arms. She fires a volley of magic to the devil again and flies around it while dodging its attacks.

.

.

.

For the next five minutes, such exchange kept on. The giant devil didn’t show any indication of slowing down or getting damaged while Higanbana’s energy is slowly whittling down. Her altitude slowly falls and her magic attacks are also easing up.

“Don’t you think…she has done enough…?”

“Higan? I don’t know…she’s slowing down on the attack. It is indication that she discovered something…”

“You mean…?”

“Higan is rash but methodical and pragmatic.”

As Alstroemeria said that, a huge change in the battle occurred.

The devil’s feet fall on a crack and it loses its balance. The feet are now deeply planted on the ground and it was completely immobilize. Taking this chance, Higanbana flies downward where the feet are and started…emitting ominous hazy dark mist around her right hand.

The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

“It’s here! That power again!”

“That power?”

“Ah…! I know that!”

Cattleya exclaims as shock and bewilderment surfaces on her face. She looks at the power like it is something nostalgic for her. Her eyes gleam as she watches Higanbana emits such malicious power.

“That’s called Astlan’s Ira! Sir Ashfon has a similar power but much stronger and scarier!”

“Astlan’s…ira?”

“Yes! It is the power Sir Ashfon used to defeat Uncle Baal. Even Sir Ashfon don’t know much about what that power can do but it is proven that it is so powerful that it rendered my disaster class spells useless.”

“That powerful…? King Ashfon…has such power?”

“Although, it’s violent and sometimes uncontrollable, it is one of Sir Ashfon remarkable power together with his soul weapon.”

If Ashfon has such power, then the sole purpose of the hero summoning would be eliminating something in the center continent. A blessed hero is a prerequisite to end that something. The devils grow stronger and stronger so the purpose to train us is to cap our abilities to defend ourselves and expanding our magic power.

I still can’t connect the dots.

And now, another question arises. This Higanana girl, why does she have such power? I might have to ask her later. It would be a little bothered if she herself doesn’t know.

“[Icy Hell!]”

The part where the devil’s feet are planted now becomes frozen solid.  She was planning all along to make the devil fall to the ground and gouge it itself by its own weight by doing those complex movements. Because of the devil’s sheer weight, it delivered its own self to this situation.

Higanbana flew up again and took the advantage of the high altitude and as of now, there is no way the devil could land a hit on her now. However, I still fail to see how she will land a decisive blow to it.

“Now, this is a free range target I was looking for. I might as well--!?”

I see it slowly.

The devil throws a punch and…its arm extends like a rubber…

Higanbana who thought she already has the upper hand put her guard down and so, didn’t expect this. She was cut off from her words as she saw the murky black fist approaching her with a force that could crush her to the bone.

I have to act…!

“Damn…!”

“Don’t worry. Higan isn’t that naïve.”

“What are you talking abo--?!”

BAM!

A strong sturdy sound came to my ears. Just like what Alstroemeria said, Higanbana isn’t that naïve…

I never thought something like that can be used by a beast kin, a soul weapon, and moreover, it is in a shape of an umbrella. The fist of the Devil hardly stops but the damage that it could have done to Higanbana significantly drops. She got blown away midair but was able to fix her posture.

“Tsk…I didn’t know this stupid power drains my sanity faster than ever…”

Sanity…?

“Three…no, just one minute, for now, is enough. I’ll go with that.”

Higanbana decided on something with an affirmative nod. I glance over Alstroemeria as what does that mean. Wordlessly, nonchalantly, she showed me a…shrug and a blank face.

“The hell…”

“Sorry, Higan really loves to train by herself so I don’t really know any tricks up her sleeve but I am sure that this is a risky one.”

“Haa…”

I’m tired of this girl. Cattleya has been frantic for a while now too. She’s been shifting a glance to me and Alstroemeria when we talk. Since I'm a little curious I ask her.

“What’s wrong Cattleya?”

“Eh? Eh…? Umm…how can you two hear Higanbana at that distance?”

“Ahh…”

This girl brought a logical question in the pan and fried it. Alstroemeria and I are just too abnormal I guess. Hearing Higanbana from here is just an easy feat for someone abnormal as us. Cattleya, being the normal one cannot so it is kind of confusing for her.

However, never mind her question…something…is brewing…

Even Cattleya forgot that she asked me a question and turn her head towards Higanbana’s direction. My eyes couldn’t look away at the spectacle and even Alstroemeria’s watchful eyes are glued to her.

A dark swirling vortex gathers around Higanbana, a high concentration of the malicious power together with her intensified magical energy in which even more amplified. Parts by parts, limbs by limbs, the shadow slowly creeps into her and the color of her hair and tail slowly leans to a darker hue.

[https://czedheinelionheart.files.wordpress.com/2016/06/img_20170527_0001.jpg?w=700]

“So that’s what she uses her Ki for…”

“What does…that mean?”

“It’s too complicated to explain but…mastery of Ki takes you to various paths depending on what you trained. In my case, I have mastered the destruction path of Shiva’s teaching. Higanbana, on the other hand, is studying enhancement path of Shiva’s teaching.”

“I have the gist of it, however, does it entails to this?”

“No…this is…Higan’s latent talent slowly coming to light.”

“Talent…huh…does that…Astlan’s Ira…part of that?”

“I don’t know.”

“I see…”

From the middle of the vortex, a continuous change takes place. Slowly but surely, her oriental clothes are replaced with a semi battle attire used in Edo period mixed with her previous shrine maiden clothes. The umbrella visibly took another form. It becomes longer and it evolves from an ordinary bamboo umbrella to a more elegant and refined one.

The chilling malicious power disperses after quite some time. A dark misty aura surrounds Higanbana and her demeanor changes for better or for worse.

“[Astlan’s ira – Wrath Armor Fake]”

“Ahh…it’s much worse than I thought…I need to hurry.”

Higanbana now is able to levitate using her umbrella as she rides it. Her countenance visibly becomes twisted with pain as she tries to hold back something. Sweat fills her forehead as she grits her teeth.

She begins flying around the devil with tremendous speed while leaving a trail of dark flash. The devil wasn’t able to comprehend what happened to Higanbana is now throwing consecutive punches towards her which ended to futility.

“[Corrupted Flame of the Gods]”

A multiple magic circle emerges around the devil. The circles are purely dark in color and at a size of a single person’s height. The hundreds of circles spins around the devil in synchronize movements that placed from the devil’s feet to head.

“Boom…”

The circles expanded further as it gets closer to the devil. The built up power in it was amplified over and over again until it’s no longer can be contained. As the circles sticks to the devil…it readily detonated like a bomb.

BOOM!

Dark explosion and fire flew everywhere as the circles detonated. A spitting fire of malicious power consumed the devil and its entirety. It seems she did such method because she cannot produce a flame greater in size than the devil so she settled it by making a fiery bomb out of those dark flames.

Now the devil is consumed by such flame and screams in utter pain. It was useless to struggle as it slowly burns the devil and the Flames are nowhere near dying out.

Slowly but surely, the devil becomes ash as it burns down to the ground. The size of it proved nothing but hinder to such power. It melted slowly like a candle until the flame burns it up to its feet.

Then…no more left of it…

“Susanoo, Higanbana is Amazing!”

“I know…she planned everything carefully…”

“Planned?”

“If the devil’s feet were free…it might have run towards the city while it is still covered in those flames…Also, it may not seem like it but she chose the most effective way to obliterate it while trying to test new skills.”

“That’s right…she said that she wants to be the next Beast Queen…”

“That dream of her…she can fulfill it with her own hands at this point…”

I believe she is a potentially powerful ally together with Alstroemeria. It would be the best to keep them close for convenience purposes.

Suddenly, Higanbana reverted to her previous form and lifelessly falls from the sky. I didn’t budge a single muscle as I know that she is already there to catch her. The figure of Alstroemeria entered my sight and she gently catches Higanbana on her arms.

“Good job, Higan! You did it! You surprised me with that new enhancement!”

“Thank you…Alstroe…however, that did…put a lot of strain in my head…”

“Ehehehe!~ I guess we’ll have to stay another night here.”

“It can’t help.”

With that, case closed. We’ve eliminated all the giant devils threatening Aldeva city. I’m a little tired and I want to sleep…

.

.

.

“I am pleased by your services.”

Is said by Priscilla as she skims through the report files in her hands…

She is currently reading it while in her work desk while wearing a pair of reading glasses. Mito stands in the corner of the room whom who handed the report to Priscilla. It seems it is a report regarding his scouting.

“The devils in sighting were subjugated. Also, it is a little convenient now that a certain someone altered this city’s topography. The harsh dry temperature was becoming troublesome for some residence wellbeing. The slight winter season has become a blessing in disguise.”

Cattleya and Higanbana are now in another room as both of them are quite fatigue so we had them rest and sleep. However, I and Alstroemeria are required to attend this meeting. I really want to sleep and rest. I miss my bed and I also miss the softness brought by Cattleya whenever she snuck in my bed.

Back in the same office, Alstroemeria also tense up at this time. Without Higanbana, she looks nervous.

The red haired guy with red scales under his jaw, Mito, the hero who mutated into a dragon, speaks to Priscilla.

“Hey, won’t you let Rose take a rest already!”

“You’re right. Since we already eliminated a big threat, we might as well lower our guard a little.”

“What are you planning, Priscilla?! We’ve been stuck here for more than months now!”

“My plan…?”

Tsk…

This chill again. Priscilla’s smile gave me shivers.

“I am…planning to establish a new Dragon Empire with Aldeva’s City as the base. Of course, the next dragon emperor will be under me. That is much should be appreciated by the dragon kin.”

“Haaa?!”

“I’ve been busy for the past months exporting and importing resources. I plan to expand that city’s perimeter and I’ve been gathering adventurers with the help of the city’s adventurer guild. After all, I have rich resources.”

“Wait! You are saying that you will rebuild an empire that was burnt to ashes?!”

“Exactly. It is one way to reconstruct and bring balance again. We also need this in this dire time where our enemy may come at us randomly. Showing the people that we can rise again will reduce their anxiety and worry.”

“Aren’t you just a maid? How can you…?”

“Hmph. I am one hell of a maid.”

“Don’t parody someone now!”

Once again, Priscilla is going to do something absurd in which manipulating the economy of this land and leading it in the shadows. If it is related to politics, I want to be out of it. Governance is too tiring and exposing that I won’t get my sleep.

“Next, will be the reward for your participation, Miss Alstroemeria.”

“Y-Yessshhh!?”

“Calm down.”

“Uhh…”

She looks really nervous. She might not be the type of girl that does well in formalities. Also, she said earlier that she racked up some debt for messing King Ashfon’s office.

Priscilla summons her dimensional storage. That kind of power is really convenient. Cattleya has one too but she only uses it to store important items such as papers. From her storage, Priscilla brought out a small golden box fashioned with gems of several kinds. She opens it and reveals the content.

“This is your reward.”

“W-Wahh..Wah? Wait, wait, wait! Wawawawa! Isn’t this…too much?!”

“I am sure that you need it the most for your travels. You and Miss Higanbana are searching for Asagao, right? I don’t mind splurging a little for both of you. Being cute and adorable is a plus.”

“Ahehehe…thank you.”

“Also, this is not just two people’s worth of traveling expenses and rewards, this if for four people.”

“Four?”

“Yes, four people. It’s about time I send some eyes out there.”

Priscilla glances over to me. She sincerely smiles at me.

This woman…I cannot defy her, huh.

I already know it…I can only scratch the back of my head in irritation and sigh. I don’t know why this is happening to me but, well, I don’t think this is bad either.

“Haa…”

“I’m counting on you, Susanoo. Take care of the three of them. They at least need an adult with them after all.”

“I hate you…”