Chapter 112

Even Len, with her usual attitude of being the absolute strongest, is practically panicking. The strength of the general being revived must be terrifying. “Squeak! …Squeak! (Milord! Are you listening to me, milord?! …Curses, fine! I will do it!)” Len dispels her entire transformation and reverts to her dragon form. “GAROOOOOOOOOOOOOON!! (Wicked witch, you shall taste my incineration magic!!)” Blue fire ignites in Len’s oral cavity as the high heat inside it is compressed. Once fully compressed, the azure flame blasts out of her mouth with a sound like a high-pitched squeal, and at that moment— “Grahhh!! (Sit, girl!!)” “GARO?! (Eek?!)” At my roar, Len’s magic is canceled. And then she flops down on her rear end and assumes a sitting position. “GARO… (Milord, this is cruel…)” Sorry, sorry. But no attacking Hecate. “…Are you sure you want to stop her? The revival is nigh, you know.” “Arf, arf. (I already said I trusted you. Also, this ‘betrayal’ is so forced it’s giving the game away.)” “……” Hecate stops her provocative smiling and heaves a sigh. “Oh, you… Even after all this, you still trust me…” Yeah, that’s why I said that at the start. Whatever Hecate is plotting, she feels the same as me about everyone at the mansion. That gives me no reason to doubt her. “You’ve beaten me… Now that it’s come to this, I’ll just have to trust you, too, Routa.” “Arwf. (Oh, well, thanks.)” But I still haven’t gotten an explanation yet. Why is Hecate going around breaking all the seals on the Demon Lord’s forces? Even if her goal is to have me fight the generals and then steal their power, what on earth is she going to use all that power for? “Mm. I’ll explain everything, that included. But beforehand, I’d like you to do something about the last of the Five Demon Generals.” Oh—so you’re reviving that monster after all. The magic circle expands to its greatest extent, and the earth begins to rumble. “GAROOON! (It’s coming! Prepare for battle! Lose focus for a moment and you’ll die!)” The earth splits apart, slicing between us and Hecate, and from the abyss, a powerful being crawls out. Even as dull as I am, I can feel that tingling sensation the really strong give off. I understand why Len was so cautious. This one might be bad. I think I’m gonna pee myself. And then, at last, the strongest of the Five Demon Generals, Behemoth, puts a hand on the broken earth and comes into sight. What an imposing figure. Covered in glistening fur with a jet-black mane and two sharp horns growing out of its forehead. These qualities remind me of a golden lion. The body of a being born for battle, terrifying and yet beautiful, even, at the same time. Truly fitting the name of Behemoth, warrior king of the beasts. Len predicted as much—will I be able to fight this demon general and win as I am now? That’s how out of this world this Behemoth’s power is. “Grrrr…” Behemoth gulps audibly, then brings its face close to mine. This creature…is gonna eat me…! I feel like I’m about to pee myself. Actually, I think I already did, a little. With our faces so close we can feel each other’s breath, I’m frozen in place, too scared to move. And then, all of a sudden, Behemoth gives a great roar. “Grrwaaaaahhhh!! (Loooooooooooooooooooooove!!)” Like a thunderbolt, this rattling cry causes me to shut my eyes—Wait, what did the creature just say? “Grrwahh! (I have fallen! I have, in love! With thee!)” “A-arwf…? (Wh-what…?)” “Grrr, grr… (Thy dignified visage, thy beauteous silvery coat, and thy courage, unyielding even in the face of mine approach… Thou hast already pierced mine heart! I have learned what love is! Ahh, what a joyous day! How happy I am! This must be what they referreth to as rapture!)” Behemoth is very excited. Wait, you were a woman?! How are there so many female animals around me?! “Routa, you sure are popular with the ladies.” I wasn’t popular with the ladies one bit in my previous life, but now I’m too popular. And why is it that I’m not a single bit happy about it? Actually, I know the reason. It’s because they’re all animals! I am not a furry! “Hello, dear—if you love Routa so much, then would you betray the Demon Lord’s forces and come to our side? Be aware it will mean giving up your power, though.” “Grrr? (Hmm? That would be very simple. The place in which the one I have fallen for resideth is the place where I shall be! From this day forth, I shall live not by strength, but by love!)” Actually, that would cause problems in itself. I don’t know how many times I have to say this: I, a pet, have no intention of making a family for myself. “Grrrrr! (More importantly— I see, so thy name is Routa! A good name, yes! I heard the very same name once, long ago on the battlefield!)” “No effects of the Demon Lord’s contamination—and your memories appear to be somewhat intact as well.” As I’m trying to look away from Behemoth as she tries to cuddle up with me, Hecate seems somehow convinced. “In that case, I will have your power. Can I get you to accept it without resistance?” “Grrr! (How tedious thou art! I am no longer Behemoth, god of war and ruler of all beasts. I am but a single woman who doth live for love!)” Behemoth makes her promise, and Hecate stabs her staff into the ground. A magic circle unfurls at Behemoth’s feet, and I feel the mana leaving her huge body. Behemoth’s form grows rapidly smaller, and by the end, she’s shrunk to the same size as Nahura. “Squeal? (How is this, Routa? Am I not adorable even when small?)” Um, well, no doubt this smaller form is cuter. You’re like a tiny lion—well, I guess that makes you basically a cat, right? “Squeal, squeal. (Routa, thou art quite skilled in the art of flattery. I ask thy favor for all eternity.)” The conversation seems to be heading off without me. Feels pretty familiar, if you ask me. I glance to the side. Len is trembling. And then she screams. “GA-GAROOON!! (Th-this creature has taken my spot!!)” “Meow, meow! (She’s taken mine, tooooooooooo! I’m supposed to be the cat!)” For both of them, a powerful rival has appeared… Is that the headline here?