Chapter 136: 136 Last Ordinary Day
It was one day before the Demon King Extermination Squad was to gather. There wasn’t much time left now.
After entering the house, I summoned the women who were inside the ring.
"Uwah, it’s stuffy!"
"Hmm? It wasn’t particularly stuffy."
"Big sis, long time no see? Hmph."
This was the last time to enjoy myself before leaving to exterminate the Demon King. So, I had to enjoy it intimately and comfortably.
The women exchanged various stories. Aunt especially welcomed me.
"My son is joining the Demon King Extermination Squad! He’s becoming an even greater man than his father♥"
I just felt good. Especially the part about surpassing my father.
In contrast, Fiora, as if jealous, blocked the space between Aunt and me.
"How can you compare him to someone like that? Honestly... Hmph."
Fiora crossed her arms, showing a stubborn attitude. Aunt, on the other hand, just smiled warmly.
At this point, I should state the reason we gathered today. Though there isn’t really one.
"I created this gathering today because I wanted to play like this as soon as I return from the extermination squad. Everyone, any topic is fine. Let’s just play wildly!"
"Yessssssss!"
All the women acted freely and unrestrained. The women who wanted to cook cooked. And the women who wanted to play started playing.
I subtly glanced at the kitchen.
Aunt and Fiora were bickering. To be precise, Fiora seemed overly conscious of Aunt, though.
"Ohohoh♥ Are you making lasagna? Selena, isn’t that too easy a dish?"
"Ha, what’s easy about it? You just do well, ’mom’. I’m going to win, just you watch!"
A soft laugh escaped me.
"Aunt and Fiora, when they’re like that, they’re just like any other sisters. Especially Fiora, who refuses to lose, she’s cute!"
Fiora, showing her rivalry because she hates to lose. Aunt, on the other hand, accepted it leisurely, never losing her smile.
Isn’t that truly a sisterly dynamic worth emulating? Hmm, they’re both attractive MILFs, though. Hehehe.
While I was resting in the living room, Aki asked while drinking tea.
"By the way, if you join the Demon King Extermination Squad, you’ll meet many people, right?"
"I suppose so."
I hoped there wouldn’t be any racial or species discrimination.
Now that I think about it, our Hero Squad is a bit risky, aren’t we? I have a developmental disability(mc talking about his gigolo looks), Lumina is a beastkin, and Aki is an Easterner.
"Fiora will take care of it, right?"
I just hoped such things wouldn’t happen. Especially among people with the same goal.
But such problems always occurred wherever people lived.
"Hmm, I wonder if I’ll be able to meet Easterners too? Hehehe."
"If fate allows, won’t you meet them?"
Lumina, seemingly bored, interjected into our conversation.
"Forget that, I just hope strong guys come. That way, we can cut off that Demon King’s head and play soccer with it!"
"...Lumina, youuu."
Playing soccer with the Demon King’s head. What kind of idea is that?
As I shook my head in disbelief, Fiora, who was across from me, sighed.
"It will be a truly difficult expedition. I heard that the recent Northern Migratory Tribes extermination was difficult from the start."
"Really? Even though the Empire’s top forces went?"
"Many of the Northern Migratory Tribes are innately warlike tribes. On top of that, they’ve allied with nearby monster factions. I suspect they might have even summoned Elder Wyverns or even some ordinary dragons."
I was surprised.
"Of course, as the world expands, the power balance increases. But to that extent? That’s damn scary."
Was that why the Empire sent its top forces? To match the opponent because they were too strong?
Until now, I thought the Empire sent its top forces to overwhelmingly crush them.
It’s scary, truly scary.
"There must be plenty of Master-level strong individuals like me. Yet, the fact that they struggled from the start..."
It was a bit late timing-wise, but if I had grown a little earlier, I wondered if I would have joined the tribal extermination. Wouldn’t that have been fun?
"Then it would have been difficult to stop the cultists causing a ruckus in the capital, though. *Ahem."
I thought about what the Demon King Extermination Squad would be like. According to the scenario, even those who went on other extermination missions and returned are selected and joined.
Thump thump thump!
Suddenly, someone pounded on the door. Lumina clicked her tongue and approached it.
"What the fuck, so rude?!"
Creak! Thump-thump!
As soon as the door opened, Zara, in Hero attire, entered the house.
Her hair was disheveled but still shone beautifully. Her face had bloodstains and black smudges, but it was still cute and charming.
Practical leather armor and a breastplate worn over it.
And even high-quality riding pants with attached iron leggings and various auxiliary equipment.
She’s become a full-fledged Hero, our Zara.
She looked around, then spotted me and rushed over fiercely.
"Huh? Lu-Lucian! Long time no seeeee!"
"Uh, big sis. Oh... *cough!"
I tried to greet her back, but she rushed too fast and I ended up being crushed. Zara hugged me and made a whimpering sound.
"How much I’ve thought about you! You’ve really gotten incredibly strong, haven’t you? Aww, but you’re still cute and handsome! You smell like milk!"
"...*cough, big sis, you’ve gotten much stronger too."
And her chest seems to have gotten bigger too. Even better.
I remained in her embrace. Then Fiora’s voice was heard.
"How long are you two going to be like that?"
Only then did both Zara and I separate. As I gave an awkward laugh, Zara naturally sat down next to me.
Then Lumina protested.
"Hey, that’s my spot...!"
"What are you talking about? Who are you? Go get me some lemonade."
Hoo, Zara. You’ve gotten much rougher.
I guess I won’t be seeing her noble lady image anymore!
Lumina clenched her fist tightly.
"You wanna die, you fucking bitch!"
Lumina seemed quite pissed off. Since Lumina and Zara’s strengths were similar, fighting would bring no good.
Even amidst this, Zara’s gaze, facing Lumina, held a sharpness that hadn’t been there before.
Like someone who had been through a battlefield.
"Zara, what brings you here?"
At Fiora’s question, Zara pouted.
"Mom, I just got back too, you know? And I came because I heard Lucian was home!"
"Hmph."
Aki, on the other hand, laughed. She seemed to find this situation amusing.
"Oh my, you two seem close with Lucian?"
"We’re super close! We’re fellow Heroes from the same class! Right?"
"Uh, yeah...!"
I reluctantly replied. If you’re going to ask, just ask, why are you rubbing your cheek against my face?
Only do that when we’re alone!
Zara asked, a strange light in her lavender eyes.
"But you’re going to the Demon King Extermination Squad?"
"Yeah."
"Hey, are you out of your mind?!"
"I’m Master late-stage now. Isn’t that enough reason to go?"
"That’s not what I’m talking about! That place is still dangerous!"
"Still, I have to go. Because I’m a Hero. And I feel a sense of responsibility for my power."
Everyone nodded at my words. Honestly, hiding with this kind of power? That’s good in its own way, but.
Unfortunately, I’m not a retiree who has dominated an era and is now preparing for a second life.
So, even if it’s just to create my own era, I should fully display this skill.
Zara nodded in agreement, then grabbed my arm.
"I know, great power comes with great responsibility. But why does it have to be you of all people?!"
"Don’t worry. I’ll bring back the Demon King’s head and show it to you. Besides me, many other capable people are gathering, so this is a chance to broaden my horizons. Isn’t that good?"
I spoke positively. If I’ve already decided to do it, I should see it through to the end.
Min Jiyu tilted her head, resting her right leg on her left knee.
"Has anyone ever returned from a Demon King Extermination?"
"I heard a few have. They are the survivors and sources of information."
Fiora replied. The Demon King Extermination was indeed an event with an extremely low survival rate.
It’s so bad that no matter what route you take in the game, the Demon King Extermination always appears as a late-game event.
Although it was that extreme, it was also essentially the finale event, making it the most anticipated event, excluding DLC.
"And the sheer volume of it is no joke."
As I nodded, a pleasant smell wafted from the kitchen. Oh, it was a delicious smell, enough to make all my internal organs tremble just by sniffing it!
"Alright, dinner’s ready!"
"Everyone gather around. It’s a chance to taste the Saintess’s food, isn’t it?"
At Auntie and Fiora’s insistence, we flocked to the kitchen. A lavish feast was already spread out.
"Damn it, I wish I could take Auntie with me. If it were Auntie’s and Fiora’s cooking instead of field rations, I’d be bursting with energy!"
I felt an unnecessary desire. But people living anywhere are all similar, and the field rations here are a bit suspicious too.
I wonder if I should go into the ring to eat when the Demon King Extermination Squad isn’t looking?
"Big sis, what’s wrong? Are you worried?"
Zara’s face was still dark. She shook her head. Her hair, which hadn’t lost its luster, swayed.
"No, I just came back from a commission in a distant place, you know?"
"You did. How was it?"
While we’re at it, let’s hear about it. If she went that far, the reward must have been huge.
"Come, come! Everyone, sit down! Miss Zara, please sit down too!"
"Ah, yes. Thank you. But the Saintess is here...?"
"Ohohoh, the Saintess is my younger sister. Isn’t she pretty?"
"Gasp...!"
Zara must not have known. Fiora seemed to already be aware.
We sat down like that. I was especially important.
"Auntie and Fiora are only looking at me."
First, I ate the lasagna. It was moderately hot, and not too salty.
"Oh, it’s delicious!"
When I deliberately expressed my strong impression, Fiora boasted.
Next was the turkey, which seemed to be Auntie’s. Being an oversized turkey from eagle state, it was ridiculously huge same as the state people.
I tore off a piece and ate it. I hadn’t put any mustard or anything else on it, but it was sweet and delicious.
Had they seasoned it well?
"Oh, it’s delicious!"
The reaction came out naturally. Then Auntie was extremely pleased.
Fiora clicked her tongue.
" I won."
"Oh my, why do you think that?"
"Lucian’s voice was louder when he ate mine."
"Isn’t that a bit of a stretch? Ohohoh♥"
Everyone ate like that. Fiora ate some spaghetti and nodded.
"Indeed, Selena and the Saintess are both excellent cooks. But Zara, what were you trying to say?"
Zara scratched her head and cautiously continued her story.
"While I was on a commission there, I heard something strange."
I picked up a cherry tomato decorating the turkey and ate it.
Hmm, it’s fresh. Then I asked Zara.
"Something strange? What kind of story?"
And the story that came out of her mouth was unexpected.
She replied with a darkened face.
"The story that the Demon King actually disappeared a long, long time ago..."
Everyone who was in the middle of eating turned their gaze to Zara.
What kind of plot bending story is this?!
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