Damn Reincarnation

back into the cloak.

As he fussed, Raimira followed behind him, her mouth still covered with both hands.

***

Kristina and Anise were still at the hotel in Malera.

[Breaking news.
The Dragon Demon Castle… the airborne territory of His Excellency Duke Raizakia is falling!]

They saw the Dragon Demon Castle falling from the terrace.

[It’s a war declared unilaterally by Count Karad of the Ruol Fief.
It had been expected that they would start negotiations after a light prelude, but….
Haha! What an unexpected surprise.
I never thought there remained any tough demonfolks like Count Karad in this day and age.]

[And they didn’t stop at occupation.
They crashed the Dragon Demon Castle, which reigned as the symbol of the Black Dragon for three hundred years.
And believe it or not, that wasn’t the end of it.
There was no evacuation advisory at all for Karabloom.
Do you know what this means? It means that the leaders of the Dragon Demon Castle were wiped out before they could issue any orders!]

[There have been numerous territorial disputes and ranking battles even after Helmuth became an empire, but this is the first time someone has completely wiped out their opponent’s territory and the residents as well….
Count Karad.
I thought he was just another noble from the backwater, but he truly was a tiger hiding his fangs.]

[Had he survived, he definitely could have advanced to the capital and brought along fresh wind… It is truly unfortunate that he did not survive.]

[But in a way, you could call it an honorable death.
The count kindled his own life to lead the war to victory.
I guess it was inevitable.]

Support us at bit.ly/3iBfjkV.

[Also, did you hear that he employed the Beast of Ravesta for this war? But Jagon and his subordinates died during the battle as well….
We lost too many promising young demonfolks, the future leaders of Helmuth, in this war.]

[Yes, and it is truly regretful.
However, couldn’t you think of it like this? Even though the Black Dragon wasn’t there, the Dragon Demon Castle stood strong.
The Four Divine Generals, who were taking care of the Dragon Demon Castle on behalf of the Black Dragon — ah, I guess they would be quite the elders for the young demons these days.
The OBs!]

[Ah, well, I wanted to avoid saying this, but it ’s kind of refreshing, right? Well, that’s how it is these days.
The youngsters show no respect to the OBs and complain about how they’re just old and incompetent, but I think the demonfolks of the Dragon Demon Castle really showed everyone the truth.
We’re not washed up just yet! Something like that.]

[Ahhh, I understand what you’re saying.
But I think it’s inevitable.
It can’t be helped, can it? Times have really changed.
Us OBs were running wild three hundred years ago, during the age of war, and we’re now living in peaceful times….
It’s not like we don’t fight because we’re weak, right? It’s all for the sake of peace.
Ah, let’s continue after the commercials.]

Beep.

The TV turned off.
Anise turned her head while clicking her tongue.
“OB or whatever, how ridiculous.
Well, it’s pretty entertaining to see that there’s a generational conflict between the old and young demonfolks.
It would be even better if the younger generation of demonfolks started a coup d’etat or something.”

“Ahaha….
Right, right….”

“If the guy who died in the Dragon Demon Castle, Karad, or whatever, if he survived, do you think he would have become the center of a coup d’etat? Maybe that’s why Noir Giabella intervened.
After all, she’s a demon from the past as well.”

“Haha….
Maybe….”

“How can you laugh?” Kristina was scary when she was angry, but Anise was even scarier.
At least Kristina didn’t resort to physical violence when she was angry.
Anise would beat one half to death before healing them back to normal.
“There is no way that Noir Giabella interfered to prevent the generational conflict from worsening.
Knowing you, you couldn’t have escaped without causing a scene.
The Dragon Demon Castle….”

“That was me.”

“To be honest, I commend you for doing that.
Hamel, thanks to your ignorant and bold decision, tens of thousands of demonfolks were exterminated.” Anise nodded while clapping.
“You were lucky as well.
Even though you caused such a scene, you weren’t spotted by anyone.
At least I didn’t see your name on the news,” said Anise.

“Haha….”

“If you don’t tell me the truth, I’ll smash that head of yours…,” Anise said threateningly while grabbing her flail.
Eugene immediately knelt on the ground and told her the whole story.

He told her about Jagon, why he chose to bring the Dragon Demon Castle down, and about his meeting with Noir Giabella.

“Are you saying that the crazy whore noticed your reincarnation!?” asked Anise.

“A child is listening, so maybe a whore isn’t…,” said Eugene.

“Shut up, Hamel.
How can you be so calm? That whore violates dreams.
She might not have done so until now, but now that she knows you’re Hamel, this whore might actively go after your dreams,” continued Anise, recalling the terrible nightmares of three hundred years ago.
The onslaught of dreams had sometimes presented them with terrible nightmares, sometimes nasty dreams.
Noir Giabella was very good at making such dreams, probably because she was the queen of whores.

“What do I have to worry about when you’re here?” said Eugene with a nonchalant expression.

“Ahh….” Anise unknowingly took a step back when she saw the trust in Eugene’s eyes.
She had found herself easing up when she saw the same eyes in the past as well.

“…Even so, Noir Giabella, the Queen of Whores, is a powerful enemy.
Did you forget, Hamel? We failed to kill Noir Giabella three hundred years ago, even though there were five of us,” said Anise.

“It’s because that damned thing didn’t give us a fight where we could kill her.
It’s not like we could afford to spare the time either,” responded Eugene.

“…It’s because we put too much priority on killing the Demon Kings.” Anise gave a short sigh before caressing the handle of her flail.
Eugene felt slightly nervous, stealing a glance and noticing that she was still holding onto her weapon.
“…The finale in Giabella City, was it?”

It wasn’t a promise or anything, just something she had said with a smile.

“Romance, is it?”

Noir Giabella was a demon who was many centuries old, the master of the Demoneye of Fantasy, and a powerful existence close to the Demon Kings.
No, rather, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that she had surpassed the lower-ranking Demon Kings in terms of power.
She was an incredibly powerful foe to be reckoned with and had been the one to say such words.

“She had plenty of chances to kill me.
This time as well,” said Eugene.
But she chose not to.
Eugene was convinced that the Queen of the Night Demons, Noir Giabella, would not kill him unless he challenged her in Giabella City.

“…Fine.
I’ll accept it.” Anise nodded while clicking her tongue.
Eugene finally sighed with relief.
“But Hamel, who exactly is that child?”

Unfortunately, the conversation wasn’t over.
Anise pointed to Raimira, who was standing quietly behind Eugene.
As soon as Raimira saw the finger, she cried out while shaking back her oversized sleeves.
“This lady is Raimira, the Dragon Duchess! Flesh and blood of the Black Dragon….”

Boom!

Anise’s flail shot forward and demolished the wall right next to Raimira’s head.

Clack.

The chain drooped down and hung over Raimira’s shoulders.
The hatchling immediately fell to the ground with weak legs.
She couldn’t see the eyes of Anise due to the way they curled up into a smile.
However, Raimira could feel a terrible murderous intent behind Anise’s smile.

“Why is Raizakia’s daughter alive, and why is she here?” asked Anise.

“I-it’s because… I need that kid to save Sienna,” answered Eugene.

“Not because you felt bad for her?” said Anise.

“No, it’s not….
Well….
Look, Anise.
It’s true that she’s Raizakia’s daughter, but she’s not a demonic dragon.
Just a dragon,” explained Eugene.

“Oh.” The killing intent vanished like a lie.
Anise retrieved her flail with a pure smile.
“My mistake.
I must not have noticed because I was too agitated.
Ah, I hope you understand.
It’s my first time seeing a hatchling….”

“Hiccup….”

“Now, you don’t have to be afraid.
I’ve been called the Saint for three hundred years.
I’m used to taking care of young, scared sheep.
Come into my arms.” Anise put down her flail, opened her arms wide, then approached Raimira.

Instantly, the void that followed the malice was replaced with benevolence and warmth.
What Anise showed was very much like the motherhood that Raimira had longed for since childhood.

“U-uwah….” Raimira felt the pent-up emotions from her recent suffering emerge.
She whimpered as she placed herself into Anise’s embrace.

‘A hostage.’

Anise smiled while gently caressing Raimira’s back.