Volume 7 Chapter 5 (1/2)

After my meeting with the [Black] Demon Lord, I returned to Avalon. Since it ended simply as a meeting, Kuina was a little dissatisfied.

That being said, the meeting pretty much went according to my expectations. Though I couldn't back out now of this conflict between the [Black] Demon Lord and myself which would probably continue and escalate until either of us falls, I wasn't really inclined to do so.

I had no intention of losing either. I fully intended to protect both Avalon and my monsters.

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Together with Kuina, I headed toward the carriage that was near the First Tree.

I headed there to begin preparing for the visit of the royal family of Axera, while Kuina headed there for a change of clothes.

When she was about to open the door, her fox ears suddenly pointed straight up.

”Oto-san, there's somebody inside.”

Kuina's senses were sharp. Even without opening the door, she could sense whether there were people within. She could also tell if the people within were Rorono or Aura.

Wary of this intruder, Kuina readied her shotgun and forcefully opened the door.

”I was getting bored of waiting, master. I've missed you!”

While wagging her white wolf tail back and forth, a young girl that greatly resembled Kuina jumped toward me. It was Fel.

Much like Kuina, she was a special S rank monster that was made using only A rank medals. To be specific, the [Time] Demon Lord had used a combination of [Creation], [Time], and [Beast] medals to make her.

”It's been a while, Fel. I know today was the day for you to pick up the wine, but I had a task I just had to do. I had properly asked the Mythological Foxes to help with the wine though. You didn't have to wait.”

It was agreed upon that I was to send some wine to the [Time] Demon Lord weekly. Today was the start of that.

Perched on Fel's shoulder was a crow monster that could use Transfer. In all likelihood, it was the one tasked to transport the wine.

”Uuuuh, you're so mean, master. I can't come all this way to Avalon and not meet you. So, you see, I did have to wait here.”

Behind Fel were the Mythological Foxes. They were lowering their heads repeatedly.

I see.

It seemed that although they tried to keep it as simple as a delivery could be, they were overcome and were coerced into guiding Fel here.

Can't be helped.

It was only for a short time, but Fel did fight for me as my subordinate.

A little service like this was most likely fine.

”At any rate, welcome, I'm glad to see you again.”

When I brushed her head, the swinging of her tail grew more intense. It was charming.

”It feels great when you brush my head like that, master.”

”I'm not your master anymore, so you don't have to call me that.”

”Even so, master will always be my master.”

I didn't particularly mind having her so attached to me.

As such, I decided to brush her head some more. While we were like that, Kuina approached.

”It's been a while, Fel-chan!”

”I missed you too, Kuina!”

Fel's eyes sparkled in delight when she looked toward Kuina.

The two of them then high fived. As usual, the two were as close as sisters.

Looking at the two, an idea struck me.

”Oh. Kuina, if Fel was to join your special training, it would greatly help, wouldn't it? There aren't many monsters that can fight on equal footing as you. I think it would be a great experience for you both.”

Duke was pretty much the only one in Avalon that could match Kuina in a head-on battle. However, because there were downsides and risks when Duke fought at full power, letting them fight each other wasn't something I could do thoughtlessly.

With Fel as the opponent though, Kuina could probably fight as much as she wanted.

”That's a great idea! Fel-chan, if you want to, we can train together! I've made a new technique recently!”

”That seems interesting. It's been so long since I last played with you. Master, is it alright if I take Kuina with me to father's dungeon? If we use the [Time] arena, we can go all out. We can even fight to the death. I don't think my body can endure this new technique of hers without any aid.”

I thought about it for a while.

The arena made by the [Time] Demon Lord was installed with a mechanism that would rewind time back and make everything within revert to their initial state, regardless of the injuries the fighters might have sustained.

Basically, the fighters could earn valuable fighting experience for no risk at all. For Kuina, who had fought mostly inferior enemies, being able to fight a formidable enemy like Fel to the death would surely be helpful.

It was an extremely enviable facility.

”Your proposal's great, but wouldn't we be imposing too much?”

”Of course, we have to ask father for permission first. But once I tell him I brought home a friend, I'm sure he'll say yes. Besides, if I were to fight Kuina, I too would get stronger! This wouldn't be just for her.”

It was certainly as she said. Being able to fight with Kuina would be just as useful for Fel.

I'll take her on her offer then.