#595 Shaymiri Triangler

It’s me again.

No matter how fast the dragon horse Sakamoto was, he could not top the speed of teleportation magic.

Ahh, I’m pooped. I’m out of breath after all that running.

When I jokingly said that, Sakamoto glared at me.

But as soon as we got back, there was trouble.

Someone’s tied up.

An adolescent is tied up in a clean tortoise shell bondage, her hands and feet deprived of freedom.

...Who did this? This...splendid binding?

Who taught them this?!

More importantly, I recognize the person who’s tied up. In fact, I saw them just recently.

It’s Shaymiri from the Demon Isle, formerly True Demon Kingdom.

She was one of the four fighters who participated in the competition. Wasn’t she the princess and the strongest among them?

How did she end up here?

“Riiiiiiiiitheeeeeeeeeseussssss!!!”

Only one person came to mind.

He’s the only other person from this farm who accompanied me to the Demon Isle.

He returned before me by instantly teleporting back. 

Teleportation magic is capable of sending not only the person who casts it but also whatever that comes into contact. 

I’ve connected all the dots!

Or rather, I witnessed the moment Ritheseus cast the spell to leave the Demon Isle.

And because I witnessed it from my perspective, I was able to confirm that she jumped on him at the moment of the transition.

In short, the culprit is none other than her!

Shaymiri, who clung to Ritheseus, entered the farm undercover and snuck in without being noticed.

I can’t believe this.

After further interrogation, it turns out she was discovered by two orcs, Orkzashiki and Orkford, on the outer edge of the farm.

Both orcs are Warrior Orcs working under Orkubo’s command.

They were scared, saying that they didn’t want further sully the orc’s reputation by getting into trouble with a young woman, so they didn’t capture her.

The others, too, were reluctant to meddle with the intruder.

It wasn’t until Sensei pointed this out that the intruder was finally caught.

He sure is strong in ways more than one. 

“I came here to find out the secret behind Ritheseus’ strength. Once I figure that out, I will adopt its methods and become the strongest, too!”

The motive of our intruder became clear.

“But if you had dealt with this from the beginning, this wouldn’t have dragged on, Ritheseus.” 

Did he not notice anything?

There’s no way that’s what happened.

I doubt that Ritheseus, called a peerless prodigy by both the Sensei and the Demon King, failed to notice this girl.

“Why did you pretend not to notice, Ritheseus? Did you not want to be criticized out in the open?”

If that were the reason, I would have to change my perception of him.

If his principle is to turn a blind eye to the problems at hand, he cannot be placed in a post of responsibility in the Demon Kingdom or the Human Kingdom.

“But...!”

In contrast, Ritheseus’ excuse is...

“I didn’t want to be alone with a girl...!”

“Ah.”

So that’s why.

The reason he started dating his current girlfriend (by force) is that she attacked him when they were alone.

That’s probably also what triggered his phobia of women.

“I see. It’s not your fault.”

“A black shadow...! Ahh!”

I sympathize with this poor, traumatized guy.

The seemingly flawless Ritheseus has only one weakness, and that’s women.

“How dare a lousy flea like you cause a ruckus around Ritheseus!”

Here comes his girlfriend that I just mentioned—Eryngear. 

Like Ritheseus, she is a student at the farm and is in the prime of her youth.

“Trespassers like you should be forced to leave this place immediately! No, you must be punished, so you don’t commit the same offense ever again! Death penalty for you!”

Hey, don’t just randomly impose capital punishment on her like that.

Eryngear didn’t even think twice about getting rid of Shaymiri. I wonder if she realized with her female intuition that she was facing a powerful opponent.

“If we leave an insolent brat like her freely roaming on the farm, she will inevitably cause trouble! She needs to go back to where she belongs as soon as possible! That or delete her existence altogether!”

Look who’s accusing someone of being a troublemaker.

Of course, the other party won’t remain silent just to be insulted, either...

“What was that? I am the daughter of Azar, king of the Demon Isle. How dare you be disrespectful toward me! You are a demoness, too, by the looks of it, yet you don’t have the heart to respect the nobility!”

“I am Eryngear, a member of the Demon King’s army! I only swear allegiance to Demon King Zedan. I have no reason to respect a minor noble like you!”

Uh, I suggest you should.

Respecting people is important even if you don’t have a reason. If anything, you need a reason for not respecting them.

“Did you say you’re Eryngear? ...Hmm, mainland demons are barbaric and vile, as I thought. You don’t deserve Ritheseus!”

“W-Why are you bringing up Ritheseus’ name? D-Don’t get the wrong idea! I don’t have any feelings for him or anything!”

“Oh, is that so? From what I’ve heard, you’ve been following Ritheseus around.”

“I-I don’t know what you’re talking about! If you’re calling me his stalker, you’re no different!”

“S-Say what?!”

Oookay, stop.

Let’s take a breath.

Inhale.

Exhale.

...Okay, continue.

“You’ve come all this way because you’ve been following him, haven’t you? You’re the one who broke into Lord Saint’s farm, where only the chosen ones are allowed to enter! I’d say you’re one die-hard stalker! Why don’t you look at your shallow appearance and know your place for a change!”

“Excuse me?! I don’t know what I misunderstand here, but I’m after the secret to becoming strong like Ritheseus, not Ritheseus himself! I hold no malicious intent toward him!”

“If that’s the case, I don’t have any insolent or lewd feelings either! I only respect Ritheseus’ strength! I don’t feel any lust or love for him at all!!!”

I see. So that’s what happens when you pit two tsunderes against each other.

This is starting to look like a game of chicken.

If one of them utters even a simple “I like him,” it’s a winner-takes-all situation that kicks their rival off the track, but at the same time, they lose.

“I don’t care about Ritheseus one bit!”

“I see him as something lesser than a bug on a window!”

Meanwhile, Ritheseus is crying in a corner, devastated.

I hope this doesn’t worsen his trauma.

“Anyway! I know the secret of his strength! The education he receives at this plantation is what makes him special!”

It’s not a plantation, it’s a farm!

“In other words, if I study here, I can become as strong!”

“That’s not true. “Please give it up.” “If anyone could become as strong as him, we wouldn’t be trying this hard.”  “Even Sensei’s lessons can only do so much.” “If we put in the same effort, talent dictates the rest of the difference!”

“Huh?”

Shaymiri was confused by the barrage of statements she heard from the other students.

“Hmph, I’m sure you’re more interested in learning with Ritheseus than getting stronger. Why don’t you stop trying to make things up with plausible theories?”

“What?!”

Eryngear hit the bullseye. 

“Y-You don’t have the right to tell me what to do when you’re already in that position yourself!”

“Can’t you see I’m trying to put my rival in the same ring?!”

Just when it looked as if the boisterous conflict was about to resume, a certain person’s voice changed all that.

“I don’t mean to disturb, but...”

It’s Sensei the Lifeless King.

Sorry your class was interrupted because of Shaymiri’s intrusion...

“Even if the lass chooses to study here, she cannot study with Ritheseus.”

“What? Why not?!” “Yes!”

Shaymiri is puzzled while Eryngear jumps for joy.

After seeing both of their reactions, Sensei continues, “After hearing of Ritheseus’ brilliant performance outside, I thought it was about time.”

“About time for what, Sensei?”

“For their graduation.” 

With hellos come goodbyes.

“It’s about time my lessons with you end. I will test each of you to see if you have acquired all I’ve taught and then grant graduation to those who qualify.”