116: Princess Bessie!?

The opponent kicked at the ground under his feet. In an instant, he closed the distance between us. He's speed was no joke. As expected, this guy was a Fistfighter type. His hands were completely wrapped in bandages.

And judging by his stance, he uses the Dark Tiger Fist martial art. Not bad at all. I'd feel bad knocking him out to fast, so for now I focused solely on evasion. His high speed fists came flying at me like bullets, but he didn't manage to hit me.

"Why! How can you evade me!? I should have reached heights beyond that of Mazoku under the guidance of His Majesty!"

"Don't get me wrong, you're pretty good. It's just that Leona is faster."

"What was that……!?"

"I also received training from a very potent individual. That person is years beyond your reach. You also posses the knowledge of martial arts, but that's about it. Finally, the gap between us is decided with individual skills──things like reaction speed and situational decision making."

"Impossible……You, just what are you saying?"

"So you cannot understand. I'll make it simple for you then. There is no factor that would cause me to lose against a mere puppy that has meager experience in fighting against those with a superior level."

"Do not bark such nonsense! So long as I can hit! Someone like you, with just one attack! With this one attack!"

I evaded the thrusted out fist.

And the next one.

And the next one after that.

This is getting us nowhere. That surprise attack was probably what they were betting on. But since they didn't manage to kill me, he's desperate. I commend him for not running away. But let's end the lesson here. I avoided his next attack and jumped in the air.

"You didn't even notice, did you?"

"What!?"

When I jumped he realized it. While I was dodging his fists, at the same time I used my tails to draw a magic formation in the ground.

"Hey, Yurishia, that's the formation for Holy Judgement. Your affinity for holy magic is bad. I can't amplify that one since you drew the formation on the ground instead of channelling it through me. Why use that to begin with?"

Curiosity mostly. Last time I used it, it was against Volmund and I only had half my power back then. Oh well, too late to turn back now.

"O, pure white! By means of purification from light and heat, everything return to white! [Holy Judgement!!"

The moment I said that, the magic formation burst open in pure white. The werewolf's sense of hearing was painted out by the thunderous roar. His field of vision had completely become white.

*Para para* Fragments fell, from his dry lips. The puppy was lying down on the sand ground.

"……Im, impossible……just about, everything……has vanished…………"

"To think you still had breath within you…"

Standing nearby, I looked down on him. It was surprising. He was sturdy to survive that, but maybe also because the output isn't as strong as the one used by humans.

"Shall I end your suffering now?"

"Boss, please wait. Don't kill him."

Hmm? Bessie called out from behind me. It's unusual for her or any of my slaves to ask me to spare an enemy. What's going on here.

"Bessie, you know this guy by any chance?"

"Yes. He's Vanis, leader of the stealth squad under the Beast Emperor."

"Princess… Yarina… I'm sorry…… I couldn't save you….."

"Princess!? Okay. I'm calling a time out. What the hell is going on here?"

------

We called our walk short. I healed the puppy and we all teleported back to Vilethorne. I ordered a general meeting with all my trusty friends. A lot of explanations were needed. Most important, I had to clear up this princess stuff.

"Boss, I never told you about my past, and I also appreciate that you didn't pry into it. You also never asked my real name. My name was Yarina Rex. Adopted daughter of the Beast Emperor Regulus Rex. And that makes me, the 2nd princess. Ah, but please continue to keep calling me Bessie. I grew quite fond of it."

Bessie also explained that during a diplomatic mission, her group was attacked by dwarves. Eventually, they were overpowered and Bessie ended up being treated as a slave, until I ended up buying her. And now, back to the puppy, who was now bowing down.

"Please forgive me, Maou Yurishia. It was a mistake on our part to attack you without gathering all the facts. You shielded our princess, and offered her protection with the master-slave contract. But, my lady, would you come home now?"

"I'll answer that in her place. She's mine. I'm not handing her over."

"I… feel the same way. I'm more happy here with lady Yurishia. Tell father that I am ok, but I won't be coming back."

"You would be putting me in a predicament, my lady. His Majesty won't be pleased and even if I give my report, he might start a war. I have a proposition if I may."

"Speak."

"Come to our kingdom. You have my word that you won't be in danger. Please, you must explain your situation in person to His Majesty."

Well, demi-humans take great value in pride. They wouldn't try to assassinate me after a formal invitation. But that doesn't mean they won't challenge me directly to a fight and try to kill me.

"Boss… maybe we should go. I need to put things straight with father. I want to stay by your side forever, but if father doesn't hear this from my own mouth, he isn't going to believe it. He's stubborn."

Kek. Why am I not surprised? Going there isn't exactly easy. The Beast Emperor is potentially as strong as Leona. Maybe stronger. And I'm still in the middle of reorganizing my own country. But I guess avoiding wars is also part of a ruler's duty. Thinking of it, maybe I can make the demi-humans allies. You never know when the dimensionals will attack again.

Nyarla won't be happy if I leave her again, but I think Tiana will be a good playmate for her. I brainwashed her into an innocent girl after all. Amelia and Carmilla can keep the politics in check during my absence. I need to bring Leona too, as well as all my slaves. I don't want to go alone.

"Fine. I accept your invitation. Girls, pack up your bags. We're starting a new trip."

Of course, I still need to set some rules and give some orders before we leave. But I guess I am excited too. Who knows what hot kemonomimi beauties I will meet on my journey, fue fue! I also am curious what Regulus Rex is gonna say when he finds out I'm Bessie's mate. Dads can be crazy, but I am sure his expression will be priceless, fufu! New adventures still await it seems.