“Gloria, do you think you can use your power again? ''

“Yes, I can do it as many times as you want. ''

''Alright, we're finally going to start phase one of my plan. ''

''You mean you're finally going to take action big brother? ''Leonard asked me.

'' Yes. We're going shopping. ''

They immediately looked at me as if I had said something weird.

''Shopping? It's what ? '' Gloria asked in a cute voice.

''It's more shopping. That means we're going to buy a lot of stuff. '' I replied, stroking his head.

I set off and encouraged them to follow me. We took the road leading to the shopping street and after a few minutes of walking, we arrived.

''I think we should find what we're looking for here. ''

I then turned to them.

“Girls, get to work! ''

'' Yes ! '' They said.

We started visiting all the available stands. I was mainly looking for fertilizers and some vegetable seeds and cereals.

I also needed to collect some healing potion vials, some drugs and also a new world map. I fear that the one present at the mansion is obsolete given the various events that have recently taken place.

After several hours, I managed to have everything I wanted in large quantities. Obviously, I didn't spend anything.

Thanks to Gloria's power, all the sellers gave me their items for free, all with a big smile.

Gloria's power was very useful, I wish I had known it a little earlier in my life. I wouldn't have needed to work.

“Well, we all have what it takes. We can go back now. ''

'' Yes ! ''

''I hope the bags are not too heavy for you? ''

''Don't worry about it being your... Um big brother. It's way too light compared to what I'm used to lifting. ''Replied Leonard.

''I see... Well let's go. ''

Just as I was ready to leave, my attention was caught by an item being sold at a small stall to my left. It was a gray colored mask with swirl patterns drawn on it.

I walked over to the booth and took the mask in my hands.

Analyzing her, I didn't sense any magical abilities or special skills coming from her. It was just an ordinary mask. So it wasn't useful to me, but I decided to take it anyway because I found it pretty.

“Sir, I will take this mask. '' I said, brandishing it.

“That will make fifteen copper coins. ''

I turned to Gloria.

“Gloria. ''

'' Yes ! ''

She approached the seller and showed a beautiful smile.

“Sir, can you give it to us for free? My big brother doesn't need it. ''

'' Yes of course ! ''

The seller accepted.

''Thank you sir. ''

I took the mask and we headed towards the large portal. Once there, Gloria used her power on the guards to let us out.

Once away from Seika and out of sight, we flew towards my mansion.

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I carried Leonard in my arms as the goods gravitated around me.

If I had to make a conclusion, I would say that everything went well. I didn't think I could have gathered so much information. In short, it was with a smile on my face that I returned home.

On the way back, Leonard stopped me with a rather unexpected question.

“Your Majesty, you seem to be in a good mood. ''

“Is that the impression I give? ''

''Yes. ''

“Let’s just say I have nothing to complain about the situation. ''

Suddenly, Gloria suddenly stopped in mid-flight.

'' Dad. ''

''What's wrong Gloria? '' I asked a little surprised.

“A battle is taking place in this forest, just below us. I smell blood and hear cries of distress. ''

A battle?

“Are you sure? '' I asked for confirmation.

'' Yes. ''

I erected a barrier across the entire area to gather information.

Indeed, Gloria's words were true. There were at least a hundred people fighting nearby.

''You're right, I feel it too. ''

''What are we doing your Majesty? ''Leonard asked me.

I didn't really care about the fight. But the problem was that this battle is quite close to our borders.

Finding out about the situation was necessary.

''We're going to take a closer look. ''

“Yes, your majesty. ''

We moved a little closer to the battlefield and observed them. At first glance, this was not a fight between two armies, but rather a manhunt.

Empire soldiers were attacking civilians. These civilians must surely be survivors of Arakov. Among these civilians there were some who resisted the assaults of the soldiers of the empire.

One of them caught my attention by the aura surrounding him. I didn't think I would come across such a fighter in the middle of this forest.

'' Interesting... ''

''A problem your Majesty? ''

“Leonard, Gloria, come with me. We're going to do some cleaning. ''

''Yeah, finally some action! '' Said Gloria.

I let the goods we bought from Seika float in the air.

Before launching into battle, I took care to hide my identity by wearing the mask I had taken before leaving the city. Once ready, we approached the fighters.

''Definitely, the strong always continue to attack the weaker'' I said in a loud voice.

I used a spell to amplify my voice to make it more imposing.

''Who are you!? “One of the empire’s soldiers asked me.

''A good Samaritan... I'll give you a chance to live as long as you stop attacking these poor civilians. Otherwise, you will die. ''

“Don’t make fun of us! ''Replied the soldier.

He then addressed his soldiers.

“Guys, kill these puppets! ''

The soldier who seemed to be the commander of this troop was not the type to think before making a decision.

Unfortunately, it will cost them their lives.

“So it’s your choice...? Damage. ''

Actually, that's what I was hoping for. The opposite would have disappointed me.

“Gloria, Leonard, only killed soldiers in armor. ''

“Yes, your Majesty. ''

''Yes dad! ''

I left this task to Gloria and Leonard. I was going to take the opportunity to see their level in combat. It shouldn't be difficult for them to incapacitate these soldiers.

Suspended in the air, I released Leonard and she rushed to the ground at full speed.

''I have an opportunity to show my worth to our king, I will give my all so as not to disappoint him. '' She said, then concentrated on casting her spell.

“Dark magic: black flame. ''

Black colored flames appeared on his hands.

With a movement of her legs, she found herself within reach of the soldiers in front of her. In a fraction of a second, she managed to slip through around twenty soldiers while giving them a pat on the shoulder each time she passed.

The affected soldiers began to be enveloped in black flames before ending up completely burned. He didn't even have time to understand what was happening, neither of them could utter a single cry of pain or distress. The speed at which the flames devoured them was incredible. The bodies devoured by these flames had disappeared. All that remained were the armor of the dead soldiers.

“My flames don’t just burn skin and flesh. It also devours bones, cells and even the soul. All those who are touched by my flames know only one path, death. ''

The rest of the soldiers still alive became frightened and began to retreat. It was no use since Gloria was already waiting for them on the other side.

''Hello soldiers! I don't want to get my hands dirty... So, can you die by yourself? ''

His eyes immediately turned red. She had just used her power. The soldiers in front of her had now lost their own wills.

They took their swords and committed suicide by cutting their throats.

“And here’s the job! '' Said Gloria, satisfied with having accomplished her mission.

“We are not finished, your Majesty. ''

It was quick and frankly, I was still impressed by their level of combat. I went down and turned towards the civilians who had just been saved. There were around thirty of them.

“Are you okay? ''

They didn't answer me. They were pretty scary. It was normal given what they had just seen.

“Don’t worry, we mean you no harm. You are survivors of the city of Arakov, right? ''

An elderly man among the civilians took a few steps forward.

''Yes, you are right. The empire's soldiers attacked us and easily took possession of our city. We ran away to hide in the forest, but they followed us and eventually caught up with us. Without you, we would no longer be in this world. So, on behalf of all my companions, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. ''

He bowed and everyone else with him did the same.

I brought down the luggage that I had left floating in the air, and I handed them some healing potions that I had taken from Seika.

''Hold this and take care of yourself. ''

Having become a demon, I no longer had the ability to heal humans. Good thing I thought about taking these potions.

I then approached the young fighter who had attracted my attention and I gave him a vial so that he could heal from these wounds.

'' Said young man, what is your name? ''

He opened the vial and emptied all the contents. These wounds were slowly starting to regenerate. The potions had to be of good quality.

“My name is Ichigo Kamaguchi. ''

'' I see... ''

I couldn't help but smile when I heard his name.

“And you, can I know who you are? And also, why is there a demon next to you? ''

His innocent look from earlier suddenly became hostile.

“So, can you see? '' I said with a cold smile.

I hadn't canceled my mirage spell yet. However, he had managed to see through it. I didn't sense any artifacts in his possession, he owed this feat to his large amount of mana. I wasn't wrong, I had just stumbled upon a rare gem.

While I was lost in thought, he suddenly jumped up and brought his sword dangerously close to my neck.

Without panicking, I grabbed his sword with one hand, then increased the gravity around him to pin him to the ground.

''You've only just recovered, you should avoid getting too agitated. ''

''...''

I then canceled my gravity spell which allowed him to be able to move again. This little fight had certainly calmed him down, but he still remained suspicious.

“Don’t worry, I’m on your side. I intend to create a country where you no longer need to hide. ''

''A country...? ''

'' Yes. So, until I get there... Survive. ''

I placed my hand on his forehead in order to place a magic rune there. With this, I could be aware of all his next moves.

''Leonard, Gloria, we're not going. ''

After that, we continued on our way to the mansion. On the way, Leonard having noticed my interest in the young swordsman decided to speak to me.

“Your Majesty, you seem to be interested in the young swordsman from earlier. '' Said Leonard.

“It’s because this young man is a hero. ''Gloria replied.

Apparently, Gloria had noticed it too. Seeing the young swordsman from afar, I felt an enormous power dormant within him. Besides, his name sounded the same as all the heroes I had known before. My doubts were therefore justified.

I wondered what could have happened for a hero to reside in the kingdom of Gurai and not the empire.

Also, it seems that he has not yet become aware of his power.

This all looks very interesting.

After flying for a few seconds, we finally arrived at the mansion. However, I no longer recognized the surroundings.

“But what happened? ''

End of chapter.