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Stone tools sharpened like knives, pebbles, and stone javelins are being relentlessly hurled at us as we hide behind stalagmites shaped like bamboo shoots.

“This is so annoying. I mean, what even are those things? They look like some kind of small demi-human type, but they’ve adapted to the dark—huge black membranes covering their eyes, elf-like ears, but even bigger, barely any nose left, just a flat face, and green skin. And look at those gills on their necks! These things don’t fit into any existing category!”

Coppelia, who for some reason was counterattacking with a mop and dustpan held like dual swords, observed one of the approaching creatures and quickly gave me her analysis.

“Maybe they’re abandoned experimental subjects that started breeding underground? Oops, too close. — 「Fangs of ice, form a blade and pierce!」”

Dodging a flying stone axe, I didn’t bother to aim. I simply unleashed a hundred icicles, conjured by water magic, scattering them like shotgun pellets over a wide area.

“Gyagyaaahhh!!”
“Gaaahh!?”
“Guo guo—!”

The vanguard of the approaching enemy let out phlegmy, wet screeches and scattered in panic, bleeding from wounds all over their bodies.

Despite their monstrous appearance, the blood that splattered was just like a human’s—bright red. That glimpse at the edge of my vision stirred something bitter inside me… a surge of helpless sorrow and guilt.

That said, we can’t afford to wallow in sentiment with our lives at stake. That last *Freeze Arrow* may have served as a deterrent, but it was far from a decisive blow.

I’d like to take my time, aim carefully, and launch a proper counterattack, but we’re facing an unknown number of enemies, in a cave filled with blind spots, cover, and side tunnels—on terrain they know far better than we do. The moment we so much as peek out from behind the rocks, it’s obvious we’ll be met with a concentrated volley of attacks.

“—Damn it. At this rate, our cover’s gonna get worn down to nothing.”

Cestlavie spat bitterly, all while reinforcing the stalagmites with talismans and occasionally firing back with spellcraft.

Even though he was strengthening them, the original material was just soft limestone, and it was visibly eroding over time. When we first jumped into this fight, the four of us had room to stand and maneuver with ease. Now, we were barely managing to stay crouched, doing everything we could to hang on.

“Still, no matter how degraded they are, those things were once magical lifeforms. They might still have unknown methods of attack, so acting carelessly would be dangerous.”

“You mean like magic? If they had that, they’d have used it already.”

Cestlavie looked about ready to charge out at any moment, frustration clear on his face.

“Magic, yes, but what really worries me is poison. They’ve shown enough intelligence to throw things as weapons—so of course we have to assume they might use poison too. And if it’s a neurotoxin, even healing magic won’t help!”

If it were just a regular poison, that’d be one thing. But if it was something that directly attacked the nervous system—even I’d be helpless against that. And if we look back through human history, the weapon most used to kill living beings hasn’t been the sword or cannon—it’s poison.

“Lady Clara, why not just stop holding back and burn them all at once? Filthy creatures like that—waste should be sterilized!”

“C’mon now, burn ’em! Burn ’em!” Coppelia cheered, waving her arms as if fanning the flames herself.

“If I used flame magic in a sealed underground space like this, *we’d* suffocate too, you know! Besides, this place is their territory—whether we had a reason or not, we’re still at fault for trespassing on it!”

“What are you saying? This place is beneath *Sant’Angelo* Sanctuarium, and those things are failed products of the Church’s artificial saint project. That means ownership of this place lies with the Church. And now that the pope—that old fart—is out of the picture, it’s no exaggeration to say that Lady Clara, the Shrine Maiden Princess herself, holds the real power.”

“It *is* an exaggeration! And far too disrespectful! Besides, the Pope is still very much alive and well!!”

I immediately countered, but of course, Coppelia ignored me completely.

“In that case, my Princess, please give me the order to open the path. I shall swiftly deal with them.”

Came a low, reverent voice, as a boy dropped to one knee, placing a fist to his bare chest in a solemn salute—Regulus. He looked to be about fourteen, with deep violet hair and amber eyes—the beautiful young demon boy we had, until now, only referred to vaguely as “our sixth member” or “the demon boy.” We couldn’t keep calling him that forever, but he had no proper name. So I offered a temporary one:

*“Then… how about **Regulus**? The name can mean ‘Little King’ and ‘Heart of the Lion.’”*

When I made the suggestion,

*“**Regulus**…! Thank you. You have given me a most wonderful name.”*

He seemed to like it a lot—so much so that he rubbed his forehead against the ground in a dramatic display of gratitude. It was… a bit much, honestly.

As for why he’s even here in the first place: Dan had taken him from the *Cervantes Trading Company* under the pretense of “donating” him to me, then used him as a hostage. And even though it was all just a convenient excuse, once the gesture of gifting him had been made, it would’ve been rude to simply return him. More importantly, explaining the truth would have embarrassed the Cervantes Company and made them lash out at Dan and Angie in retaliation. So, reluctantly, I agreed to keep him—for now.

At that point, I figured it’d be inconvenient if he couldn’t talk, so I released most of the magical seals suppressing his speech. Dan had tried to stop me to the very end, saying, “Demons can kill with a single word—they’re too dangerous.” But as you can see, he now speaks just fine.

We didn’t make any kind of binding contract or anything, but despite everyone’s concerns, he’s been quietly sticking with me without protest—or rather, I’d say he’s been *abnormally* devoted. To the point where I started wondering: *Why?*

Coppelia answered that one for me.

“Demons are fundamentally merit-based. They’ll follow anyone with greater magic power than themselves without question. Also, their females are *extremely* rare, so they tend to treat them with reverence. Sometimes it goes a little too far, and they just kidnap ’em outright. Y’know, like those old fairy tales where the Demon King locks a princess in a tower.”

At that explanation, the demon boy nodded along enthusiastically in agreement and said, “You are strong. And beautiful. A most worthy master for one such as I to serve. Please, allow me to call you My Princess.”

—And that brings us to the present situation.

***

#Translator’s note:#

In the raw, Regulus addresses Jill as “Mai Purinsesu.” My Princess, but in English.