Suzuki is Cute Even In A Savage World

Zhaviest then slammed Aina's face into the ground. Tears and nosebleeds streamed down Aina's face.

"Uh-guh–…"

"I mean, you called me an idiot earlier! Didn't you? Apologize to me!"

She was hit repeatedly in the face. In her hazy consciousness, Aina heard the voices of the demons who were watching her in stillness.

"What? Infighting?"

"Lady Serphiano. How would you like us to proceed?"

"The atmosphere doesn't seem to indicate that it's an act. All forces remain in position. Stand by. This is a great opportunity to analyze that Heavenly Power. And if she could reduce Zhaviest's strength a little, that would be even better… Well, that may be impossible, isn't it?"

Aina's head was stomped on with a foot with a "gusha" squelch. A large pool of blood had formed around Aina's mouth.

"Kakaka. No one is coming to save you. Pathetic, aren't you—?"

"I-I am…"

"Ahm? Are you finally feeling like apologizing? All right, go ahead and get down on your knees."

"I-I am hey… it certainly is as you said, I might be a sham…"

Aina's face was stained with blood as she recalled her training with Leelou.

Leelou praised Aina for her mastery of Pritis.

"I knew it. You have the talent for Pritis."

(I was overjoyed. But…)

"We will strive to become as close to Suzuki as possible. Suzuki is the only one who has an innate talent. The one and only ultimate Pritis user."

Leelou's face, as she spoke proudly, looked like a mother's face… no, more like…

(Like a maiden in love…)

"W-Who is that? I believe I told you to wait and see before attacking!"

Serphiano's sudden shout brought Aina's thoughts back to reality. She looked up, and Zhaviest's brow was furrowed as he too, gazed ahead.

"Uhm? What is, that fiend?"

A single fiend advanced toward them, refusing to heed Serphiano's orders. When Aina had visual confirmation of that fiend, her eyes widened greatly.

"Lady Duma! That is Lady Duma!"

Several demons shouted. Almost simultaneously,

"That treacherous traitor!!"

Aina could also hear the angry voice of Nephira, the commander of the Thunder-Lance Charge.

(Duma! Is this the worst-case…)

She diced her to ribbons with her sword and threw her overboard. Duma seemed to have come back to life and tracked her down in order to settle that grudge.

However, Duma stopped in front of Aina and turned her wrathful expression toward Zhaviest.

"T-This… m-man is…!"

With a "bikibiki" creaking sound, Duma's face became the appearance of a vengeful spirit.

(W-What? Is Duma acquainted with Zhaviest?)

"Hmm—? Have we met before? But I've forgotten. Since I've killed so many people and demons."

Zhaviest was calm and composed. In contrast, Duma looked tattered and worn out. Her laboured breaths with horse "Hyuu-Hyuu" sounds came from her creaked body. Her limbs were somehow connected, but she could barely walk.

As Duma eyed intensely at Zhaviest, Aina saw a glimmer of hope. If a fight between Duma and Zhaviest were to break out, a gap might appear, giving her the chance to flee from that place.

However, just as she was thinking that, Duma glared down at Aina. And then, Duma approached Aina, and loomed over her as if to topple on top of her.

(Damn–! I knew it! She wants to kill me first!)

From that position Duma would bite her neck off——— that was what she imagined. However, neither death nor pain came after a while.

Duma remained motionless, still looming over Aina, covering her. The demons were bewildered by this situation.

"H-Hey. What the hell is Lady Duma doing?"

"It looks almost as if she's protecting that woman…"

(Protecting? That's moronic! That can't be right!)

If so, why hasn't Duma attacked her yet? Aina couldn't understand it either.

Eventually, as if frustrated by the situation, Zhaviest kicked Duma.

"Hey. Out of my way, you piece of junk."

Duma continued to be kicked. Aina also felt the violent vibration from the kicks. Even so, Duma did not move away from Aina. It was as if... she was really protecting her.

(I don't have a clue why!! Duma, why the hell are you protecting me!!?)

"What? W-Why…?"

Aina whispered to Duma, who was being kicked by Zhaviest, with a voice that sounded like she was trying to wring it out of her. Duma spoke back in her halting, emotionless, puppet voice.

"T-This man… I don't want to see him… d-destroy anything anymore…"

(A demon sticking out for a human…? Lies! This is NOT possible!)

The Demon Lord's army silently watched the situation from the sidelines. If the commander of the Immortal Fleet was being attacked by a human——— under normal circumstances, it was only natural that they would go to her aid. However, there were no orders from Serphiano. It was probably because Duma had previously disobeyed military regulations and abducted Suzuki.

The sounds of Duma's cracked body were transmitted directly to Aina. Aina thought back to what she had said to Suzuki on the ship.

"It is impossible for a demon to be reformed. 'After cajoling them, kill them by taking advantage of the opening.' ——— this is the correct way to utilize Pritis!"

Aina gritted her teeth tightly.

(The one who didn't understand was me! The way Suzuki utilizes Pritis... was the correct way to do it!)