Mayuten ~The Demon King and the Hero Reincarnated as Twin Elementary School Students~ - Volume 4 Chapter 8

Volume 4 The Demon King and the Hero, Fighting for the Family

Chapter 8   The Hero and the Demon Lord Fight Against the Watchdog of the Demon Lord’s Castle

Cerberus – In this world, a guardian of the underworld with three dog heads and a serpent tail, as depicted in Greek mythology. It is said to be a mythical creature.

However, in the original world, it was a real monster.

With its three dog heads and serpent tail that can emit flames, it was indeed a fearsome creature.

Why is it that a real monster from the other world is considered a mythical creature in this world? The reason remains unknown.

Other such monsters also exist, like Slimes, Ogres, Goblins, and more. Not only monsters but creatures like Elves and Dwarves were real in that world, whereas they are merely mythical creatures in this world.

Perhaps it was the playfulness of the gods of creation, or maybe the humans who wrote the myths had some connection with the other world.

Either way, breaking through the dimensions, the monster Cerberus from the other world appeared.

With surprise in her eyes, Isumi asked, “Why does the watchdog of the Demon Lord’s castle appear here?”

In the original world, I had tamed Cerberus to be the watchdog of the Demon Lord’s castle. However, it seems that it doesn’t recognize me.

Cerberus drooled from its three mouths, bared its fangs, and its red eyes gleamed fiercely. This was bad; it clearly saw us as enemies!

Isumi turned to me and said,

“Demon Lord! Can’t you somehow pacify it?”

“Don’t be absurd. While it’s true that I once used it as a watchdog, I never truly tamed it. Besides, this one is showing an abnormally strong hostility! Moreover, I am not the Demon Lord anymore.”

Regrettably, I don’t possess the power to make this monster obey me at this moment.

Kimijima sensei spoke with a trembling voice.

“Why are there monsters in this world?”

“I don’t know. Well, there are some possibilities that come to mind…”

Perhaps it’s the playful act of the Creator God Zekar.

Since the confrontation between Kimijima sensei and us ended so easily, maybe they’re asking for more excitement.

Or perhaps, they’re saying that the reincarnated individuals have served their purpose and should die?

Regardless, it’s impossible for Cerberus to traverse between worlds alone. It’s beyond the capabilities of both the people in this world and the people of our original world, the humans and demons.

To make that possible, only the power of the gods could achieve it.

But now was not the time to contemplate that.

Cerberus let out a fearsome roar.

In the next moment!

Its three mouths attacked us.

This is bad!

Cerberus is a high-level monster.

It possesses strength befitting its status.

For heroes like Shirene or the Demon Lord Benes, it might be no more than an ordinary foe, but for ordinary people, a single one is more than enough to pose a serious threat.

Especially for elementary school students and an elementary school teacher like us, it’s an opponent we can’t handle!

Currently, Isumi is cradling Hikaru, who is still asleep. In this sudden situation, they are unable to fight.

Kimijima sensei…knows nothing about battles.

In that case, it’s up to me to confront it!

I picked up a metal pipe from the ground and swung it at Cerberus.

A clean hit on one of its heads.

Cerberus’s face twisted in pain.

Did it work!?

However, Isumi shouted a warning.

“No good! It didn’t do much damage!”

Although Cerberus seemed to feel the pain, the damage was minimal.

Naturally. There’s no way the strength of an elementary school student could match that of a high-level monster.

Such a monster was never meant to be the watchdog of the Demon Lord’s castle!

While I’d like to believe I caused at least the pain of hitting a finger against a pillar in a human comparison, at most, it only amounted to that level of damage.

The remaining two heads are coming at me!

The head on the right bites into my shoulder, while the one on the left attacks my side.

“Ah, gah!”

The pain was excruciating.

A considerable amount of blood was flowing.

At the same time, my hand lost its strength, and the metal pipe fell to the floor.

Damn it, is this the extent of the damage from just being bitten?

Back when I was the Demon Lord, this wouldn’t have been a big deal. But with the body of an elementary school student, it’s unbearable. Perhaps I’m already on the brink of death.

Isumi shouted!

“Demon Lord! Kageyo!”

Then she turned to Kimijima and said,

“Sensei, I entrust Hikaru to you. Please, run away right now.”

“You want me to take care of Hikaru-chan?”

It seems she handed over the sleeping Hikaru to Kimijima sensei.

“Hurry, run away! Save my sister!”

“But what about you both?”

“Don’t worry, I’m the hero. I won’t be defeated by such small fry monsters. Kageyo will also help me.”

“But…”

“Just go! I want to protect my sister this time for sure.”

“Fine… I’ll make sure to protect Hikaru-chan. Even for the sake of our deceased daughter. I’m truly sorry.”

Kimijima said this and rushed out of the room.

Then, Isumi came running towards me.

One of the heads of Cerberus, which I had struck with the metal pipe, lunged at Isumi.

“Flame Magic – Flame!”

Isumi’s magic scorched Cerberus’s face!

Even Cerberus must have experienced something like this before.

It stopped biting me and turned to attack Isumi with its other two heads.

Isumi shouted, “Don’t underestimate me you beast!”

She stabbed a knife into one of Cerberus’s heads.

Aiming for what would be a major weakness for any creature.

The eye.

Even with the strength of an elementary school student, it inflicted significant damage.

The head with the knife stuck in it became motionless, as if conceding defeat.

However…

The remaining two heads were still active.

Cerberus is said to have four lives.

Three heads and one tail, each almost like separate creatures.

Even if one head suffers major damage, the other heads and tail won’t die.

Of course, if you directly attack the body, it’s a different story.

Even in this moment, the remaining two heads lunged at Isumi.

While evading one of the heads, Isumi pulled the knife out of the eye it was stuck in.

In one swift motion, she stabbed the knife into the eye of the other head that came attacking.

Covered in blood and lying on the ground, I couldn’t help but find it beautiful.

The battle of the girl hailed as the “Hero” by the human race.

It was truly a work of art.

Even as a reincarnated elementary school student, she was still magnificent.

Isumi’s physical body was no different from an ordinary elementary school student. It shouldn’t have differed much from Kageyo’s.

Yet, Isumi… Hero Shirene, was putting up a fight against Cerberus on equal terms or even better.

And I, despite my best efforts, was defeated without much resistance.

――As it should be.

The basic physical abilities of the 16-year-old Hero Shirene and the Dark Lord Benes were worlds apart, with the Dark Lord being vastly stronger. After all, if you compared humans and demons, demons had overwhelmingly superior raw power.

Still, Shirene’s ability to hold her ground against demons wasn’t solely because of her strength. It was due to her innate fighting skills, superior and honed through experience.

Isumi went for the final head.

However…

I mustered all my strength and shouted.

“No, watch out for the tail!”

“!? Move!”

Just as Isumi was about to challenge the last head, the serpent tail spewed forth a torrent of flames!

“Isumi!!!”

My cry echoed through the abandoned factory.