Maou no Hajimekata

Translator: DarkHeartedAlchemist

Hoseli, you say?

Certainly, she did betray him. But rather than out of hatred or grudge against him, it seemed like a decision made sorely for the purpose of removing her curse. That is why he was skeptical about this whole her killing him thing, and he didnt want to kill her himself. According to Logans words, she also protected Mari from the shadows when she was trapped inside the pyramid. Now that Uzermart was dead, there was no reason for her to target Aur.

But according to Eves words, she saw her making her base nearby. This was too much to be a mere coincidence.

When, where, and how am I going to die?

There were still some points that were not clear about this situation. First of all, how was Hoseli going to kill him, exactly? Indeed, she is strong, but shes just an ordinary man, and man can do nothing once hes exhausted. The same could be said about her beastly form. All things considered, it was quite unlikely that shes be able to get past people like Yunis, Spina or Hoderi, not to mention striking down the Demon Lord himself.

That, I dont understand either.

Unable to give him a clear answer, Tena shook her head.

As you are already aware, the results of my foresight can be changed multiple times, so knowing the exact outcome is impossible until that outcome actually happens.

Aur nodded. This is indeed something that he already knows all too well.

But, precisely because you dont know how things will change, you can predict that they were indeed changed.

Im not sure I follow your reasoning. Whats the difference between the two?

Lets assume that half a minute from now you decide to state one number, and using foresight I can see that you then increased the number you wanted to initially state by one. That way, the whole foresight changes in such a way that instead of one, youll say two after half a minute.

Aur raised hi eyebrow conspicuously. He kind of understood what she was getting at, but at the same time he didnt.

Subsequently, if you used foresight again, the number would change from two to three, and then four, if the whole process was to be repeated you understand?

So you want to say that the future is changing at the moment of using foresight, rendering the previous prediction ineffective, and it is not possible to know the clear result?

Tena groaned a little at his oversimplified explanation.

But no matter what happens, there are always things that are bound to happen no matter how many times foresight is being used. Things that are set in stone so much that theres just no getting around it. Walking around the labyrinth can be one such example.

This time it was Aurs tur to groan. That way, it was possible to see virtually every aspect of the future that involved walking around the labyrinth, making it possible to bypass all the traps and defensive mechanisms, just like they did in Sakuyas volcano.

See, now that was much more understandable.

Each time she was using her prediction, he was being killed in different ways, at different places, and at different times.

Essentially that kind of thing. But there is one exception to the rule. If you leave this place and return to your Old Continent, you will survive no matter what.

That again, huh?

So? What are you waiting for, leave this place now, while you still have the chance to do so!

Dont be so impatient. From what youre saying, Im not going to die today or tomorrow, right?

Didnt you hear the word I said?! Just because I didnt saw it today wont mean that it wont happen tomorrow, or the day after tomorrow. As I said, nothing is certain with predictions, so I cant even guarantee that you wont die even today.

Finishing her speech, Tena lowered her eyes and stared at the floor. Aur remained silent for a moment, pondering his options and the best possible course of action, until he exclaimed:

Sofia!

What is it, daddy?

A part of the wall suddenly opened, and Sofias face peeped from it. She was supposed to be doing business in the pyramid today, but since this whole terrain was her domain, she could instantly move wherever she wanted.

Please check if Hoseli is somewhere inside the Dungeon.

Okay, got it!

If she wanted to kill him, then naturally she should try sneaking into the Dungeon. And if that was the case, then Sofia should be easily able to find her.

.. Ouch!

Sofia was keeping her eyes closed, but now she opened them widely. At the same time an image of peculiar scenery was displayed on the wall next to her. It was an image of a forest full of lush greenery.

Is it her?

Aur was impressed that despite all her knowledge of him and his Modus Operandi, she was still bold enough to walk through the forest so openly like that.

Her orange hair were dyed silver, and she was dressed in unfamiliar clothes and bore weapons of different countries instead of her usual dagger and throwing knives.

With her light, experienced movements, she was effortlessly killing hordes of small demons that came after her.

But it was certainly strange. Instead of launching surprise attacks on them, she just took all of them head on.

Sofia, make a passage to Sakuya and Hoderi please.

Okey-dokey!

She waved her hands, making a set of two doors appear at the both sides of the space she was peeping out from. And what awaited them at the other side of the door was the most peculiar sight.

Beyond the door were Sakuya and Hoderi, who were engaging in a certain fetishistic play, which shall remain unnamed out of respect for the two. Both of them were wearing clothing made of leather belts that was certainly not underwear or nightwear.

Guess Ill have to ask them about it later, Aur thought so as he tried to ignore the embarrassed screams of the Goddess of the Volcano.

* * *

No doubt about it, that is my fool of a sister, Hoseli.

Waiting for Sakuya to calm down and change clothes, Hoderi stated so as he looked at the image presented by Sofia.

I dont recognize her clothing, but that silver hair are definitely hers.

Hmm, now that you mention it, she had silver fur indeed when she turned into her wolf form.

Everyone nodded deeply, recalling her appearance at the pyramid.

She dyed her hair red and wore red clothing to blend into the surroundings of the volcano better, but she also did that because she associated the silver color with her curse, and looking at it was painful for her.

Do you have any suggestion as to why she is killing all those monsters?

Right now, Hoseli advanced further by killing not only demons, but also pretty much everything she had contact with.

I dont know for sure, but its totally unlike her, as if she was no longer herself.

What do you mean by that?

I mean that my sister in not so weak to engage in senseless slaughter of those weaker than her.

She was just marching forward, cutting everything down without even bothering to look back.

What shes doing now, this is not what weve been taught during the years of our training, and theres no way in hell that she just threw all of that away.

For better or worse, he seemed to be putting a whole lot of trust in his sister.

That getup I have seen it before.

Sakuya said as she finally entered the room. She sure took her sweet time changing those clothes. Wrapped in a luxurious-looking kimono, she was staring at the projection with a stern expression on her face.

Beyond Sahara, even further to the east there lies the land of the plateaus called Furo. From what Ive heard, its citizens have an inept affinity for the wind element, and the clothes shes wearing now closely resemble the garments typical for that kingdom.

As expected of a long-living deity.

Master, its incredibly rude to talk to a woman about the matter as sensitive as her age, didnt you know?

She puffed out her cheeks and went on a tantrum. Aur suspected that she lived even longer than Melizand, and yet she was so overly sensitive over such matter?

Anyway, catching that fool is my responsibility as her brother.

We dont know if she wont try to kill you the second she sees you.

Aur placed his hand on Hoderis shoulder as he was preparing to leave with his sword in hand.

I know. But even so, I need to go.

..

.

Sofia, can you open the gate for him?

Of course, I will open it a little distance away from Miss Hoseli.

Sofia opened the floor beneath Hoderis feet, sending him near his sisters location.

I hope this passage cannot be used to gain entrance to the Dungeon from the other side Hoderi thought as he was falling through. He also thought that such method of transportation was quite conveinient.

Adjusting his posture in the air he made a plunging attack that connected with his sisters arm splendidly, cutting it off right below the elbow.

Whatever you do, dont kill her!

Aurs voice filled the space of the Dungeon.

Do not worry about it, master.

He responded to him as he cut off Hoselis other arm.

People may die when they are killed, but nobody died from having their arms cut off. Tis but a flesh wound!

No, youll kill her for real!

Hoderi sighted. He used his best arguments to convince his master that it was for the best, but he ultimately failed in gaining his consent.

But this is

Hoseli launched a kick at her brother, but he easily avoided it and cut both of Hoselis legs of with one swift swing. Having lost its means of support, the girls body fell onto the ground with a loud thud, but without one single scream of agony coming from her mouth.

What happened to you sister? For you to be this weak

Hoderis voice contained the ever so subtle hint of accusation. All of her reactions were just so slow and dull. Tena said that she was going to kill Aur, but with all of her limbs cut off, this was highly unlikely. Even if she was to explode now, the blast would not reach the Demon Lord. Nevertheless, Hoderi kept his sword drawn and remained vigilant.

How is it, Tena?

No, the future is still unchanged.

Moving her fox ears around, Tena shook her head.

Lets treat her for now, before she dies, and then well meet up in the center of the forest.

All right.

The center of the forest was the sanctuary where Aur found Sofia when he first arrived on the New Continent. It was now a safe zone where no human, demon or monster could enter without Sofias permission.

When they placed Hoselis body on one of the beds there, they immediately began treating her wounds.

Keep it frozen just in case.

Understood.

Sofia eagerly threw Hoselis arms and legs into the freezing room. Since she made Zanas castle a part of her territory, she could now create a passage from the Dungeon to Himuro in a matter of seconds. If they store her limbs in such a way, attaching them back later wont be a problem at all.

I dont understand

Hoseli tries to speak as Aur checks her condition and dulls the pain with his magic.

And? How is she?

It seems like theres no abnormality at all.

Aur frowned as he told that to Hoderi, who still had his sword drawn and ready to use.

That was exactly the case. His examination showed no signs of abnormalities in Hoselis body. Even if it was not exactly his field of expertise, he was confident enough that he should notice if there was any soul or body manipulating technique or curse placed upon her.

An experienced lock picker would be able to tell at a glance if a lock he was aiming for was able to be opened or not, even if it was reinforced with methods or materials unknown to him. Whether it could be opened with a little nitpicking, or remained entirely out of reach, anyone with enough experience should be able to clearly make such a distinction. It was the same with magic examination.

For now, try to get some sleep and rest, and we will talk once you wake up.

And if she will not be cooperative, they could always use the Collar of Obedience as a last resort.

Just to be on the safe side, Aur cast a spell that made all of the vines in the room tangle around Hoselis body, preventing her from moving. It might have been too much in her current state, but you know what they say, better safe than sorry.

He was doing it all to avoid being killed by her, but it made his heart sting just a little.

And on the morning of the next day, the only thing they found lying on the bed was a dried bundle of vines, with Hoseli nowhere to be found.