Thirty kilometers away from the Demon King's Castle lay the first human village.
The distance wasn't exactly short—even by carriage, it would take half a day, and by the time they returned, it would already be dark.
Yet Eiji insisted on going, his determined expression making it clear that nothing would stop him. Airi had no choice but to accompany him.
"Why are you so set on visiting the village?"
Along the way, Airi found two wild unicorns wandering the wilderness.
Using her Monster Blessing ability, she instantly enhanced the two unicorns to executive-class strength, granting them speed comparable to a small car as they carried the two toward the village.
"Just wanted to take a look."
Eiji's tone was vague, his attitude clearly dismissive.
"By the way, is your blessing ability derived from the same source as the old Demon King's?"
He diverted Airi's attention, steering the conversation toward her abilities.
If he were being honest, this Monster Blessing ability was pretty broken—instantly creating a first-class adventurer from Orario was practically cheat-level power!
"Yes."
Airi nodded in confirmation.
"What's the origin?"
"An ancestor."
"What was their name?"
"Lost to time long ago."
Airi shook her head.
She wasn't lying.
The name of that ancestor—who was also likely a reincarnated individual from Japan—had long been erased from history. Even she and the old Demon King, as direct descendants, no longer remembered.
Eiji had his suspicions.
If that were the case, their ancestor, Yasaka, was probably similar to Kyouya Mitsurugi—someone who had received cheats from a so-called "beautiful goddess" or similar entity before being sent to this world as a reincarnated individual.
But for some unknown reason, he later chose to become the Demon King, passing down his bloodline and abilities to his direct descendants.
As evidence, despite being a mixed-blood demon of this world, Airi still had long black hair—a defining trait of reincarnated individuals.
Whether by genetic selection or not, her looks were also exceptionally striking, with well-defined features. Her long legs, in particular, were eye-catching—shapely and perfectly proportioned.
"I recall the old Demon King saying your blessing has surpassed his, capable of covering an entire army of dozens, right?"
"Correct."
"But the quality of the blessing isn't on his level, is it?"
The moment those words left his mouth,
Airi froze completely, staring at him in disbelief.
"That's not true!"
She quickly turned her head away, her tone tense.
"The power you granted these two unicorns isn't on the same level as the power the old Demon King gave to the mimic in the Treasure Vault. Did you really think I wouldn't notice?"
Eiji sat cross-legged on the unicorn's back.
Though he swayed slightly, looking as if he might fall at any moment, he remained firmly seated.
His probing gaze settled on Airi's slender, tall frame.
If the power the old Demon King had granted the mimic in the Treasure Vault was at 100%, then the power Airi had given the unicorns was at 90%.
Having mastered the Twin Wings Style and achieved perfect control over his body, Eiji could instantly discern fluctuations in an opponent's aura, the movements of their organs, and even the condition of their bones.
His eyes alone possessed the combined functions of an X-ray machine, CT scanner, and MRI—truly miraculous.
Naturally, he could see at a glance the hierarchical gap between Airi and the old Demon King's blessing.
"That's not true at all!"
Yet she stubbornly denied any such gap.
Her expression was icy, as if she loathed discussing the topic. No matter how much he pressed, it seemed impossible to pry an answer from her.
"Is that so."
Eiji withdrew his gaze.
If she didn't want to talk, he had no reason to push.
Besides, abilities like that were likely beyond his reach anyway.
Moreover, he preferred power that strengthened himself. Strengthening monsters might grant influence, but it wouldn't make him the strongest—something the old Demon King had already proven.
...
An hour later.
The two arrived at the human village closest to the Demon King's Castle.
After shooing away the unicorn that had stubbornly clung to the witch, they approached the village's outer wall.
Indeed.
Though it was just a small settlement of a few hundred people, it was fortified with a several-meter-high wall, almost resembling a semi-fortress.
No doubt a precaution against potential raids by the Demon King Army.
"Who are you?"
A villager guarding the gate caught sight of the two outsiders—especially Eiji—and immediately found himself breathless, his eyes brimming with admiration.
"We're just passing adventurers!"
Eiji adjusted his armor, his overwhelming handsomeness radiating effortlessly.
Airi, meanwhile, wore a mage's robe, her hood pulled low to conceal the demon horns on her forehead.
However, for some reason, the lower half of her outfit consisted of an ultra-short skirt that barely covered her thighs, paired with black garter stockings—an undeniably risqué look.
"Why are you dressed like that?"
"…Father told me to."
Airi averted her gaze.
This was her first time wearing a miniskirt and garter stockings, and she was thoroughly embarrassed!
But Father had insisted that to seduce Eiji, she had to leverage her greatest assets—so she had no choice.
Yet, truth be told, she hadn't once caught Eiji giving her a lustful glance. Every time he looked her way, his gaze was pure, devoid of any desire.
"There's no spark between us. Save your effort."
Eiji bluntly rejected her.
His words made her question her own allure. Back in the army, the monsters under her command had showered her with praise, claiming she could easily bewitch any human adventurer.
Objectively speaking, she did have charm—her beauty even bordered on goddess-like.
Had this been the old Eiji, a steel-virgin through and through, he might have eagerly agreed. But now, as a seasoned veteran who had feasted on the likes of Freya—a veritable state banquet—this dish, no matter how exquisite, simply didn't align with his tastes.
"Please, come in!"
The guard quickly let them through.
Wasn't security here a bit lax?
Then again, with a super-handsome guy like me around, this reaction is only natural!
With that thought, Eiji strode into the village alongside Airi, welcomed warmly by the villagers.
"What brings you here?"
Walking on the cobblestone path, Airi probed Eiji once again.
"This is already the third time you've asked along the way. What, does it bother you that much?"
Eiji gave her a knowing smile.
"Or perhaps you've thought of something that makes you feel you must test me?"
"...Your eyes are truly sharp!"
Airi sighed, her expression quickly turning cold.
"You want to become the Demon King... to help humanity, don't you?"