Prologue

 

There is a castle at the far end of the demon world controlled by the demons. Located at the deepest part of the demon world is the castle of the Demon King.

Further inside the castle, two people face each other in front of the throne of the Demon King.

On one side, a young man looked slender but still exhibits core strength. He is wearing a silver armor and holds a long silver sword in his hand.

He’s an existence called “hero” in this world.

The other one is a beautiful woman, she had a sheep-like horn on her head, and wore a robe with a dreadful atmosphere. In her hand is a black bladed sword.

She is the lord of this castle, the “Demon King”.

The two clashed swords without exchanging words. The hero’s sword, which was swung vigorously, was received by the demon king’s sword, without hesitation.

If those were normal swords, both would have been split in two – such powerful blow was exchanged.

The sword of the Demon King, which is slender compared to the Hero’s sword, endured the strike without feeling the difference in the thinness of the blades.

The two jumped and clashed swords again. This time, the hero stops the Demon King’s thrust with the side of his sword’s blade.

If it is a normal sword, the blade would have been pierced, such sharp thrust was made. However, the Hero’s sword took it easily.

They clashed swords countless times. Both people moved while trusting their own specialized weapon. Meanwhile, the color of perplexity begin to emerge on their faces.

Considering each other’s position, it was assumed that the weapons would be a special-grade product that could have been passed down from ancient time.

However, on the contrary, it is too strange for such weapons to clash and endure that much. The limit should have been reached by now.

Both of them get confused, and eventually, they lowered their swords.

“Demon King, though it late there’s something I want to ask.”

“Un, agreed. Hero, that’s probably what I want to hear too.”

“Well then, let me ask. Who crafted your sword?”

“As expected, I also want to know who crafted yours.”

“So after all…?”

“Un, there’s no doubt he’s the person you imagined. It’s the work of that eccentric blacksmith.”

Saying that, the Demon King turned the sword’s pommel towards the hero – the figure of a sitting fat cat was engraved on it.

“So it’s really him, that old man…”

As the hero said that, he also turned the pommel of his sword towards the Demon King. The same marking as that of the Demon King is engraved there.

“Perhaps in anticipation of this, he made swords for both sides… Really, I can’t take that fellow.”

“Any other than this is completely futile.”

“Un. There’s also an option of whoever exhausted physical strength first…”

“I understand this now. You and I are equal.”

“Well, probably. So even if one wins, he would be exhausted to death afterwards… It wouldn’t make any sense.”

“Then, there is only one answer.”

“I know. At least in my generation, I promise a truce.”

“I will also inform the old man. Is it alright?”

“Un. Informing THAT about this and not earning his displeasure will be the greatest deterrence for each other. Making him displeased and becoming an enemy will be the most troubling thing for me. I don’t mind.”

“Then let me do that. We may meet at some point, but until then, goodbye.”

“I understand. Now then, I must also put out an official notice as preparation…”

Then, the two turn away from each other and leave on opposite sides.

With the tense atmosphere like the time of their first confrontation gone, relaxed ambience started flowing again. The two people contrasting each other, think of the same person’s face.

—At first glance, there’s nothing remarkable and several years has piled up on the man’s face…