The Story of an Arrogant Succubus Princess Who Always Looked Down on Humans as Mere Food, Until She Fell in Love With an Ordinary Man - Chapter 25

“I am the knight assigned to watch over and protect that woman…Liliana until this journey ends. That’s why I’m here to defend her.”

Asbel readied his sword. His face remained expressionless, as usual. It was hard to believe he had faced countless knights in battle.

“Asbel…”

However, Liliana quickly noticed something. Upon closer inspection, his body was covered in numerous cuts, his breathing was erratic, and he was sweating. He was always so expressionless, never looking like someone who could die. But now, he was undeniably alive, just a regular human who could be killed if stabbed by a sword.

Liliana felt a mix of joy and unbearable pain in her chest.

“It seems my brother owes you, doesn’t he, Asbel?”

The blue-haired man in front of Asbel greeted him casually, raising one hand lightly, as if talking to an old friend.

“…It’s been a while, Commander Alan.”

“What? Do you remember me? I used to train with you all the time when you were a kid. I was starting to think you’d forgotten about me. Your uncle would’ve been crushed!”

“You two…know each other?”

Liliana looked at them in surprise. Asbel, still focused on the blue-haired man, Alan, responded calmly.

“…This man is the brother of the current Knight Commander—Alan Camlet. He was my superior officer and is known as the strongest knight.”

“Whoa, whoa, don’t go calling an old man like me the strongest. It’s embarrassing. Especially when I’m talking to the ‘Iron Demon,’ who supposedly ended the war.”

“If you took your job a bit more seriously, the Knight Commander would have an easier time.”

“Hah! And you think a guy running off on a romantic escape with some woman has the right to talk to me about that?”

Though there was tension, their conversation had a friendly tone.

There was still time before the ship departed. However, the longer this dragged on, the worse it would be for Asbel and his group. Asbel knew this all too well, but he also knew how dangerous the man in front of him was.

It wasn’t just Asbel who was at risk; protecting the weakened Liliana would make victory almost impossible. Alan would definitely target the vulnerable Liliana first.

–––In front of this man, even the smallest mistake would be fatal.

“Hah…”

Whether Alan understood Asbel’s concern or not, he grinned with amusement.

“Well, in any case, we’re both far from being serious. Or maybe you’re too serious for your own good? Just like Gran said, you’ve got that cold look in your eyes. So, was that rumor about you being tricked by a woman just a lie?”

“Who knows? I might actually be serious this time.”

“Hah! Then I’d laugh at you. Fighting for a woman…that’s not something people do these days.”

Alan laughed, but Asbel did not. He continued to glare at the man in front of him, his eyes colder than ever.

“Whoa, scary face there…Come on, Asbel. Grow up. You might think you’re some kind of hero, but there are a lot of people suffering because of your reckless behavior.”

“Even so, if Liliana—this woman—dies, it could spark a war. Even if it doesn’t, provoking the Demon Tribe’s nation in the current situation isn’t wise.”

“Unfortunately, that’s for the higher-ups to decide. No matter the era, grunts like us can only follow orders.”

“And if that leads to the deaths of many people?”

“That’s just the way of the world.”

“…How foolish.”

For once, Asbel glared at Alan with open anger.

“I’ve never once drawn my sword for something as hollow as that. If clinging to such a dry ideal is all there is, then step aside.”

“Hah…You still sound so naïve. You, the survivor of the battlefield, the ‘Iron Demon’ who ended that hell, spouting such childish nonsense. Well, I suppose anyone who survives a war has a few screws loose.”

“Isn’t that the same for you?”

“…Maybe.”

Alan sheathed his sword. Then, as if signaling the end of the battle, he relaxed and shrugged with a smile.

“…Too bad. Time’s up. Look over there, Asbel. The ship that young lady was supposed to board is already leaving.”

“Cheap trick…”

“No, Asbel! He’s telling the truth! The ship is really leaving! There’s still supposed to be time!”

Hearing Liliana’s voice, Asbel turned his gaze toward the sea. …Indeed, there was a ship in the distance. It was the one Liliana and the others were supposed to board. No matter how fast they moved now, they wouldn’t make it in time.

“The merchants, unlike the officials from the Demon Tribe’s nation, aren’t interested in unnecessary disputes. If there’s a disturbance, they’ll leave early. It’s only natural. You were just a bit too slow in making a decision, weren’t you, Asbel?”

“…!”

Asbel slashed at Alan, but it was a reckless strike fueled by emotion. Though it was sharp and powerful, Alan’s experience far surpassed Asbel’s, and such an attack wouldn’t land.

“Tch!”

Asbel’s sword cut through the air. Missing Alan, it effortlessly cleaved through a nearby street tree as if cutting through butter.

“…What an incredible strength. There’s no way I can win in a direct sword fight…”

Alan lowered his stance, keeping his sword sheathed. It was Iai, a traditional Eastern sword-drawing technique.

If Asbel’s strength was in his raw power and endurance, then Alan’s was in his experience and speed. He never fought on his opponent’s terms. He always drew them into his own pace. That’s how he survived countless battlefields.

“…”

“…”

The two silently glared at each other. Alan was no easy opponent to break, even for Asbel. In any case, the ship had already departed. No matter what they did now, they couldn’t change the situation.

──Miracles don’t happen.

A heavy sense of resignation settled in Liliana’s heart. Yet, even so, Asbel, with his usual expressionless face, spoke.

“…That last attack gave me a read on them. I’ll strike again. When I do, grab the fallen Pixie and run.”

“But, the ship is already…”

“What are you talking about? You…can fly, can’t you?”

“…!”

Liliana’s eyes widened in realization. How could she have overlooked it?

Most of the knights had already been defeated by Asbel, and the chaos hadn’t settled yet. No matter how prepared this city was against flying demons, it was unlikely anyone could catch Liliana if she flew away carrying Asbel at her usual speed.

“…Heh.”

For a brief moment, the dazzling starry sky resurfaced in Asbel’s mind—a memory he would never forget.

Asbel hadn’t fought for her, for Liliana. He had fought solely for the many people who would suffer if she were to die. He had fought all the way to this point.

“…Heh.”

But perhaps that was a mistake. Such uncharacteristic thoughts flickered through Asbel’s mind.

If the reward for this journey was that night sky, then he couldn’t let this journey end here. Not until he had paid a price worthy of that sky. Asbel would not stop.

“Lili, the view you showed me is still burned into my mind. I can’t say it was fun…but it’s a memory I won’t forget.”

Asbel smiled. Awkwardly, self-consciously, twisting his lips while staring straight ahead.

“──You were everything the rumors said and more, a truly amazing woman. …That’s why you need to live. I’ll carve out your freedom!”

Asbel kicked off the ground. He moved so fast that Liliana’s eyes almost lost track of him.

“…”

Yet, even so, Alan didn’t draw his sword until the very last second. He let every ounce of tension drain from his body, waiting for the perfect moment when Asbel raised his sword.

“Now! Lady Liliana! …Lumina!!”

Suddenly, the area was engulfed in light. Mimi, having regained consciousness, used her last bit of strength to cast a blinding light spell.

“Tch!”

Even Alan, as sharp as he was, hadn’t been paying attention to the fallen Mimi in the heat of the battle against Asbel. He hesitated for just a moment.

“Get out of the way already!!!”

Asbel’s sword came down with the same ferocity he displayed on the battlefield—a demonic strike.

“Don’t underestimate me, kid!”

But Alan was a battle-hardened veteran, too. He barely managed to draw his sword and block Asbel’s strike, despite being off balance.

“…!”

However, strength alone would decide the outcome of such a clash. In this world, no one could fully withstand Asbel’s blows.

“Sleep for a while!”

“Ugh…!”

Alan was blown back, crashing into a nearby wall from the sheer force of Asbel’s attack. In that moment, Liliana grabbed Mimi and shot into the sky.

“Asbel! I’ll definitely come back to this country someday! I’ll return just to see you!! So…so let’s meet again!!!”

Liliana shouted from the sky as she flew toward the ship. At that speed, she would surely catch up. That woman would no doubt figure out the rest from there.

Asbel finally relaxed, letting the tension leave his shoulders.

“See you again, Lili.”

He quietly muttered to himself, a faint smile crossing his lips.

And so, their short journey came to an end.