The Expelled, Oblivious Strongest Boy Saves an S-Rank Beautiful Female Adventurer and Unknowingly Forms a Harem - 40

Chapter 40: Liam, Entering the Demon Kingdom

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As we headed toward the Demon Kingdom, we eventually arrived at a land covered in snow. We stopped for a moment. 

“Snow… Does this mean we’re getting close to the Demon Kingdom?”

“Yes, I believe that’s what it means—”

“It’s so cold here! Liam-kun! It’s freezing! So from now on, instead of just a hug, I want you to hold me tight!”

“Huh!?”

Meria-san said as she pressed her body tightly against me, leaving me at a loss for words. I didn’t know what to do when Lydia-san spoke up. 

“Enough! That’s what the winter gear is for! Your outfit is precisely designed to withstand the cold! You don’t need to stick close to Liam-san!”

“Awww~ But what if I just want him to hold me because I want to be hugged—”

“If you’re so eager to be wrapped in something, I’ll cut you down right now so you can be wrapped in the snow-covered ground!”

“Wait?! Lydia-chan?! Your eyes are serious?! Li-Liam-kun! Hurry up! Use movement magic to get us out of here!”

“Huh? O-okay!”

Although I wasn’t quite sure what was happening now, but I decided to cast movement magic and ran alongside Lydia-san again, who was radiating murderous intent toward Meria-san. We continued running toward the Demon Kingdom. Before long, a massive stone wall came into our view.

“That’s…””

“It appears that the wall serves as both a sentry point and a defense structure for the Demon Kingdom.” 

“So that means… We’ve truly arrived at the Demon kingdom?!”

“Huhhh?~ We’re already here? Even though I wanted to stay like this Liam-kun for a little bit longer…”

After carrying Meria-san in a princess carry, we finally arrived in front of the gate to the Demon Kingdom. I gently set her down from my arms. 

“Are you hurt anywhere, Meria-san?”

“I’m not hurt, but I wish I could’ve stayed with you a little longer, Liam-kun—”

“If you have the luxury to say such things, I would gladly inflict some pain on your body.”

Just like usual, Lydia-san interrupted Meria-san. She stepped between me and Meria-san, still radiating the same thirst for blood she had been directing at Meria-san. Then, Lydia-san added.

“Tonight, you will sleep in a separate room from me and Liam-san at the inn.”

“What!? Why!?”

“You already had the privilege to press your body tightly against Liam-san during our journey here. He even carried you in a princess carry… Of course it’s only fair if you stay in a separate room from Liam-san. Besides, if we were to share a room tonight, I honestly can’t say what I might do to you in your sleep.”

“Scaaary!~ But well, if I were in your shoes, I’d probably be super jealous of me too… I guess I’ll be considerate of Lydia-chan’s feelings for once. You’re my comrade after all!”

“I’m not jealous!”

Lydia-san snapped, looking clearly irritated at Meria-san. Flustered, I tried to calm her down.

“W-well, let’s all take it easy. Since we’ve finally made it to the Demon Kingdom, how about we focus on getting inside and finding an inn or something first?”

“…If that’s what Liam-san suggests, then I have no objections.”

“Me too! No objections!”

“Thank you, Lydia-san, Meria-san!”

And so, the three of us approached the gate to the Demon Kingdom. Upon noticing us, the gatekeeper asked us for identification. The gatekeeper was of course, from the demon race. 

“Can one of you give me your name for identification purposes?”

In response to his request, Lydia-san immediately stepped forward and introduced herself.

“I am Lydia Astoria.”

“Astoria…? If I remember correctly, you must be an S-rank adventurer… Have you all come all the way here to challenge Empress-sama as well?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“I see… The ones who came earlier didn’t seem like much, but with you guys… We might be able to see something interesting….”

After hearing the gatekeeper’s words, I couldn’t help but ask something that had been on my mind.

“Um, is Empress-san really that strong?” 

In response to my question, the gatekeeper nodded confidently and said, “Oh, she’s strong, no doubt about it. Countless people have come to challenge Empress-sama, but all the challengers always suffer a crushing defeat.”

A crushing defeat… I knew it, Empress-san was really strong! Hearing the rumors being confirmed by the gatekeeper made me realize just how powerful Empress-san really was…!

“Our kigndom might feel a bit different from other countries, but I hope you will enjoy your time here.”

“Thank you!”

I said my gratitude after the gatekeeper let us through cheerfully. Once we passed by the gate to the Demon Kingdom, I immediately scanned my surroundings. Most of the buildings were made of stone, but the magic in the air and the overall atmosphere of the city felt vastly different from the Human Kingdom or the Elf Kingdom.

“So this is the Demon Kingdom… I can feel various magic powers flying in the air…”

“Well, the demon race as a whole is made up of many different species. All of the demon species have their own special traits~”

Meria-san said to me. Indeed. True to her words, I could see various species of demon race within the city. All of them looked vastly different from each other. 

“I don’t hate this kingdom in particular, but… If the ones who tried to destroy the Elf Kingdom truly came from the Demon Kingdom… I will never forgive them.”

“…Indeed…”

I had to agree with Meria-san’s words. While Zayn-san and his group were at fault, but the person who caused so many monsters to appear right in Magistus, the central city of the Elf Kingdom, was just as bad, if not worse.

But then, Meria-san suddenly turned bright again. Her usual cheerful demeanor returned to her as she said. 

“Well, mulling about that all the time won’t be beneficial to anyone though! We’re on a journey, so let’s make the most of it and have some fun!”

“-!! Yes!”

“Then, shall we start by finding an inn?”

Lydia-san suggested. And so, we began searching for a place to stay. Once we found a good inn, Lydia-san and I shared a room while Meria-san had to get a separate room. They were really going through the agreement they had discussed earlier. We entered the room and I was left alone with Lydia-san. Indeed. There were just me and Lydia-san in this room.

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