Grimoire x Reverse ~Reincarnated Demon Romance Tale~ Vol 2 Chapter 10

Chapter 10

Imperial Capitol Gransil II [Tourist Etiquette is Different between Individuals]

 

(Hiragi POV)

When I woke up, the first thing I noticed was that my magical powers had been subtly drained.

I was filled with a bad feeling of nausea. My vision was hazy and my thoughts had disappeared while I was unconscious.

“…w-where is this?” (Hiragi)

Cold.

On my skin was the sense of something cold and hard. It seemed I was lying on a floor. No, that’s not all. It seems I regained my consciousness due to some sort of stimulus.

I quickly noticed that my bangs were stuck to my face, like I had been splashed with water or something.

[Hehehehe…It’s been awhile Hiragi.] (Marshall)

“…Talos V…?” (Hiragi)

Unpleasantly energetic, it was a familiar voice.

Since I had been stunned and was still regaining consciousness, I could not yet look around for the origin of the voice as my eyes were barely starting to open.

From what I could see, I was in the center of a magic circle engraved on the ground. There were a few people nearby who seemed vaguely familiar. When I thought that I had seen them somewhere I realized that the one standing closest to me was called Benetta, the Eight Seat magic librarian.

That reminds me.

Why was I in such a place? What happened before that? I searched through my memories as I tried to stand up, my arms pus.h.i.+ng downward for support.

“Ga!…?” (Hiragi)

“Tch…” (Benetta)

My arm was kicked out from under me and I again fell to the ground.

If I thought about it, of course Benetta was looking down at me with cold eyes.

I knew that her hate was aimed at me as she had not been hiding her murderous intent, which had been expressed in her frustration. However, even if I had been killed a second ago, I had no thoughts that I would be able to compete in this terrible situation.

“What…is happening…?” (Hiragi)

[I just wanted to talk with you after a hundred years.]

“I had refused, but…?” (Hiragi)

[As usual, this broken person is polite. Do it Bennetta.]

“Ga!?” (Hiragi)

Where was the origin of the voice? I could not understand it. The back of my head was stomped on by someone’s heel. A rough pain echoed in my forehead as it hit the ground.

[Your magical power was drained out as much as possible. Was your power considerably weakened compared to a hundred years ago? You have lost, as during all this time I kept at it and built a powerful organization. That, is the difference between you and me…!]

“Ga, ha…!” (Hiragi)

The ruthless heel continued to grind me down. I could hardly reply to Talos. I did not know what kind of woman Benetta was that she would act like this, but as for Talos I could not forgive him for putting me in this ridiculous situation where I was helpless.

“So…You know that I am weakened…” (Hiragi)

[That is because I ordered to have the weakening technique put upon you. I have always been waiting for this day! Yes, it has been too long…!]

“…!…!” (Hiragi)

Sorry. The voice that I gathered with my whole strength stuck in my throat.

Indeed, this man was from the old days, and with what little power I had I looked up. As this opportunity arose, I perceived that the waves of magical power seemed to be overlooking the room from a place near the ceiling.

[While keeping you to himself, keeping you to himself…I was deceived by Garland. I have never experienced as much humiliation as I did at that time!]

“For such a thing, you…how arbitrary…!” (Hiragi)

[Benetta]

“Ah! Gu…!!” (Hiragi)

A curse of Enchantment lives in this body. Even if that thing caused a problem for him, this was too unreasonable.

The Empire of those days had built a society that oppressed demons, and when a single person had reached out his hand to me, the Emperor had tried to intercept it.

The attachment of Talos II is much more dense and terrible than my own revenge. Even though he felt humiliated enough to become full of resentment, it was not enough to make him yield.

“How should I put it? It is good to keep an insect like this under such a ‘charming’ curse. Were you fascinated by yourself? This thing. So foolish.” (Benetta)

“What do you understand…!?!” (Hiragi)

“Don’t you two know each other?!” (知らないのはお互いさまで、しょっ)

“Gua…!” (Hiragi)

The toe of her military boot again dug into my back, and the feeling of nausea surged in my stomach as if I were about to vomit. A few tears from a mixture of sorrow and regret squeezed out without thinking, and I desperately bit my lip to catch myself.

Even if I tried to escape, I realized I had lost feeling below my waist, and I couldn’t move my legs at all. There was only numbness rather than pain. (自分の無様さがもはや辛かった)

 

[Hey, Hiragi. Thanks to you the Empire was broken and scattered…but it has finally been put back together. You have also become weak. I am preparing choices.]

“Anyway…it has been determined that you are not too dangerous!” (Benetta) (どうせ……ろくでもないことに決まってる……！)

[Such is the case. It is not difficult to see.]

I clenched my teeth and stared at the ceiling. When that man stood in a dominant position he acted arrogant like this.

[Even in the Imperial Capitol, there are quite a few n.o.bles who still keep demons as slaves.

We can also introduce you to your fellows…Aahh. That’s right, this feeling. I wanted to perfectly trample you like this once before for what you have done…!]

“…!…!!” (Hiragi)

His voice was mixed with joy.

However, it was also inflamed with murderous intent. Yet I cannot do anything due my shortage of power. How frustrating to get to this point and for everything to be in vain, is there nothing that can be done? (ここまで悔しいことが、ここまで虚しいことが、ここまでやるせないことが、ほかにあるだろうか)

At that time, making such remarks like trampling people, I tried to understand. (そういう時、どれだけ人を踏みにじるような発言をするのかくらい、分かっているつもりだった)

However, he seemed to have remembered what he wanted to do.

[If you express that all that with Garland was a complete lie and you flatter me, then I will keep you to pour drinks for me. Otherwise die here.]

“…You are…really…!!” (Hiragi)

The reign of Talos II was a time when demons were originally treated like slaves.

That is why this man also treats demons like they are not people in this way.

But saying that, even if that was the case.

Isn’t this too terrible?

Is it that he became tired of just tearing the hearts of people, and the more he thought about it the more he wanted to shatter people and crush their dignity into the ground? Is it possible for someone to be so cruel to people? (人の心を引き裂くだけでは飽きたらず、一縷の思いをも粉々に粉砕して尊厳を地にたたき落とすほど、人は人にこうも惨く当たれるものだろうか)

[It has already been around a hundred years since then. I was thinking of releasing you from the rock. I never thought that something would break you out…well, what will you do Hiragi? If you choose death, then I’m sorry, but can Benetta kill you here?]

 

The year where I fell in love with another.

That was not only a time with enjoyable feelings.

There was also the disturbance of the Emperor, whom Garland desperately trying to protect me from. So, it can be said that it was not a restful time for either of us.

But even so.

Those feelings were not cheap enough to deny as just lies.

 

“I do not know why the Marshal is hesitating over such a demon, but I will kill it.” (Benetta)

No matter how much me and my precious person are brought up, at this stage I cannot do anything as I am now. It is extremely frustrating, and among my many feelings I want to break the neck of the owner of the voice, while my thoughts extended outward towards those who couldn’t help me.

I’m far too helpless.

[Benetta]

“Do not answer quickly, demon!” (Benetta) (さっさと答えを出しなよ、魔族！)

“Gua…!” (Hiragi)

She stomped on the back of my head and pressed me down again on my ear. The rough pain also wore on my spirit.

Somebody help.

It is in the weakness of my mind that I think like that. However, it is unavoidable as I am dependent on an external force. But that is not any reason for anyone to help me.

Until yesterday, all those happy memories seemed like a lie, just me enjoying my own fantasy, so much so that the miseries of today seemed more realistic.

A hundred years ago as a demon I was treated as a slave. When I remember it, I realize how pathetic an existence I still am.

I wanted to cry. However, if I did it would truly break my heart. I do not want to lose to Talos, even if I am killed. I may not be able to fight, but I do not want to lose in my heart.

So…

Reminiscing on my memory of a hundred years ago, it is strange.

 

I am worthlessly helpless, but there is still one young man who is reliable. An encouraging kindred who created no distance between us, where there was no loneliness.

“Please help me…” (Hiragi)

“Uwa, is there someone foolish enough to come to the Imperial Academy to save you?” (Benetta)

[She seems to still have a strange hope. Benetta, do it.]

That joking grin. A rude, irresponsible, absurd, cool, and strong man who played around, a truly strange guy. But it was still a pleasure spending time together, with him as kindred.

“Please help me…Shuten…!!” (Hiragi)

Tears ran down my cheeks.

 

 

 

 

“Yo~! I just came to look around!!” (Shuten) (TL: or as a tourist)

 

 

 

(General third person POV)

“Eh…!!?” (Benetta)

“You, where did you come from!?” (Grendel)

[…A demon. Demon …? Who are you…!]

The double-doors were broken in with a great crus.h.i.+ng sound.

In a panic Benetta looked back and what entered her sight was a silhouette in the entry with a large axe over its back.

However, even more noteworthy was the dense magical power she felt from it.

“This place is supposedly the Imperial Academy, but it’s unexpectedly lacking in security. Am I just thinking about it too much and the magic librarians are just overly strong?” (Shuten)

[Who are you!?]

The voice of Talos V could not completely hide his distress. Seemingly not knowing where the voice was coming from, the silhouette looked around inside the room. Not finding the source, it instead pointed towards something else within its sight.

“The collector of That.” (Shuten)

Speaking of the person being pointed at, she was currently in a blank state.

They were kindred, but had only spent a few days together.

She hadn’t seriously thought that he would come and help her in such a dangerous place. She had only slightly been expecting him.

Since it was the only desire in her heart, she kept telling herself this must be an illusion.

…It just couldn’t be true. If he had truly come, she would wonder if his playfulness overcame his common sense of sense of danger.

But, even thinking so. Hiragi’s spirit was not in decent enough shape to take in the current situation.

She wondered if she was dreaming again. She wondered if her mind had gone insane with happy memories, and such feelings had overflowed from her thoughts.

“Hah, this person is calling out that…!” (ひ、人のことをもの呼ばわりして……！TL: mostly had to translate this according to context)

“For someone who can be kidnapped to such a place, calling them a thing is enough when I bothered to come pick them up. Come on, rejoice.” (Shuten)

Ah, this guy is just like normal.

A joking answer that can immediately be understood. At the same time she felt worn out, from his words she felt safe for some reason.

“So relaxed…such a playful guy…” (Hiragi)

In spite of her voice coming out in a sigh, Hiragi understood that it was because of relief and not just amazement.

“Why are you in such bad shape that your mind and body are exhausted…is it caused by this guy?” (Shuten)

“Eeek…!!” (Benetta)

Meanwhile.

Benetta had been chilled to the bone at the appearance of this mysterious monster.What on earth was this? Even hearing the report told by Grendel, such a monster shouldn’t exist. At most it should have just been reported the demon was balanced with Grendel.

But as it was now.

The intense amount of magical power that she felt creted an overwhelming pressure as if she had made the leader angry. (TL: probably one of the higher up magic librarians)

Even though she understood how much could be done, (いくらなんでもそこまではいかないとは分かっていても) Not only is the Oni before her eyes seemingly as angry as the leader, it was also exuding a bloodthirsty aura.

A true monster. Such a thing is nothing but a nightmare raiding the Imperial Academy.

“Aaahh…!”

“a.s.saulting someone’s kindred, this guy has exposed his face.” (Shuten)

[Kindred…? Hey, has my property come into some kind of family!?]

“Your property?” (Shuten)

‘Who belongs to Talos V?’ thought Hiragi.

After watching Hiragi, Shuten seemed to have realized the source of the voice and looked up at the ceiling.

“Oh I see, Talos-san? Well, that’s rather impolite…” (Shuten)

[That’s right, you have made the mistake of disturbing the G.o.d Talos V the 18thEmperor, when I have been waiting for this time for 100 years…unforgivable!]

“A hundred years ago huh, well I guess my hundred steps are not quite as long then.” (Shuten)

Scratching the back of his head, Shuten looked up at the ceiling and laughed.

“Either way, she’s mine now.” (Shuten)

“No way…!”

[This guy…!!!]

“Talos-san is bad. I don’t want my only traveling companion to be taken away to such a place. For that reason I also endured some severe pain. I can’t go without her.” (Shuten)

A red blush covered Hiragi’s cheeks. But seemingly not noticing it, Shuten slung the Demon Slayer over his shoulder.

Then, one young man jumped in between them within the Guran.

“What is this!? It sounds bad, but…! You are the Oni from that time…!!” (Grendel)

Grendel Glyph Scale.

The figure of the Oni now in full view, he raised his gloved fists and stared at him. The battle formations now in place, Shuten was surrounded by Benetta and Grendel.

“Shuten…!!” (Hiragi)

What was Hiragi trying to say? Run away, the words caught in her mind for a moment. However, she had been hoping for help, and he had come all the way to come help…with such feelings, she could not put it into words.

Fighting Grendel alone would have been difficult, but now there were two people to fight and Benetta is stronger. There is nothing she could do in this situation.

[Eigth Seat! Tenth Seat! Kill the trespa.s.sing demon!”]

“Yes…!” (Benetta)

“…Understood!” (Grendel)

Benetta drew her Ocarina while Grendel raised his fists.

However, Grendel was aware. The fact that the power ratio between himself and the Oni in front of him was different than before, and it was stronger.

As if to support that theory, the Oni laughed.

“Eight Seat, Tenth Seat…” (Shuten)

Looking at the two, he continued.

“I will ask you to hand her over gently.” (Shuten)

A monster that exuded overwhelming magical power, he lifted the corners of his mouth while he raised the Demon Slayer.