Combatants Will Be Dispatched - Volume 1 - Chapter 2.3

3 

““Griffin!”” 

Heading straight for us is a giant creature with the head of an eagle, the body of a lion, and massive wings sprouting from its back. Snow and Rose freeze, their bodies tense. Their anxiety does nothing to dampen the excitement Alice and I feel at our first glimpse of a griffin. 

“It looks just like the griffins in video games and movies! Isn’t it a little odd that fictional creatures like orcs and griffins exist here? By the way, we do have a digital camera, right? Let’s take some pictures!” 

“Well, it might not actually be called a griffin; that’s just what I chose as the translation. Still…how is that thing flying? It doesn’t have the wingspan or chest muscles to carry a body that large. If we can get it back to Earth, we’ll be able to laugh in the faces of everyone who’s ever studied aerodynamics!” 

I start snapping photos of the griffin like a tourist. 

“Six, what are you doing?! Stop playing around and fight!” Snow warns me. 

High up above, a voice responds, “Hold it; I’m not after you lot! I just want the supplies!” 

The voice belongs to an individual sitting atop the griffin. Given the pair of horns sticking out of her head, she must be a demon of some sort. The combination of other details like the white hair, red eyes, and dark skin all click into place. 

“—Dammit, I shouldn’t have left this all to my underlings. I come to find out why the supply convoy is so late, and this is what I find…” 

The griffin’s passenger dismounts once the great creature is a few feet off the ground. I get an eyeful of beautiful dark skin, as the rider’s red-trimmed outfit leaves little to the imagination. 

“I suppose I have you lot to thank for this disaster? You there, the guy in weird armor…I’m guessing you’re in charge of this bunch. Well? What do you have to say for yourself?” 

I guess she’s talking to me. I’m a little preoccupied at the moment, however… 

“Hey! I’m talking to you! What the hell are you doing anyway?” 

This is too precious an opportunity to waste. I snap a few more pics of her bountiful brown bust. 

“Hey… Hey, Six! If you’re going to take pictures, focus on the griffin. Why are you taking so many pictures of that woman?” 

Sulking, I put the digital camera away. 

“…Yes, we’re the ones who attacked this supply convoy. And what about you…? Based on your attitude and outfit, I’m guessing you’re one of the Demon Lord’s generals.” 

The buxom demoness sighs in admiration at my reply. 

“My, my, you can tell I’m a general with a single glance, mm? I must say, you’ve got a pretty good eye. You’re correct. I’m one of the Demon Lord’s Elite Four, Heine of the Flames. Given your eye for strength, you must be quite the warrior yourself.” 

The woman who declared herself to be Heine of the Flames narrows her eyes and puffs out her chest. I try to keep my staring as subtle as possible. 

“Whew…! I guess you could say that. I mean, you do have a certain…aura that only high-ranking villains possess.” 

It’s not a lie. The upper echelons of the corporation are filled with oddballs. Seems it’s a universal law that outfits become skimpier as you climb the ranks. Yep, she’s got that oddball aura. 

“Not bad…for a human! …Heh-heh, I like you. It’d be a pity to have to kill you. If you’ll leave those crates, I’ll let you escape with your lives.” 

Heine looks like she’s truly enjoying this exchange as a creepy smile spreads across her face. 

“Have you lost your mind?! There isn’t a human alive who’d obey a demon’s orders!” 

“That’s right! Even against a high-ranking demon, humans will never give up! Also, these supplies are going to be my dinner!” 

Snow and Rose refuse. 

“…Hey, Alice? What do you think we should do? She seems at least mutant level. We’re not equipped to handle her. Think we should just go home?” 

“That’s why you’ve been stuck as a lackey for so long. At least try to read the mood.” 

Snow and Rose are staring at us in surprise. 

“Y-you bastard! You’re thinking about running away?! Have you no shame? I should’ve killed you the moment I saw you!” 

“B-boss! My dinner! I’m really hungry right now; please don’t make me leave all this behind!” 

Heine stares as my subordinates yell at me…then breaks out into laughter. 

“Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha! How cute! So direct and honest! Hey, why don’t you come and join us? You seem pretty strong. Once we finish taking over the human lands, we’ll make you one of the rulers. You can take all the women you’d like!” 

“Deal.” 

“Wait, Six. At least think it over… And as for you. Heine, was it? We can’t have you poaching our operatives. Sure, this one’s pretty dull as far as his wits are concerned, but he’s still one of our main Combat Agents.” 

Heine turns her gaze toward Alice for the first time. 

“…Huh?” 

The demon continues to stare at Alice, tilting her head to the left in puzzlement. 

“…You… Are you actually human…? For some reason, you reek of golem…” 

Heine’s muttering is soft enough that neither Snow nor Rose catch the meaning of the words. 

“So what’s your answer? Will you join me?” 

I really, really want to say yes, but the glares from all around me are making it impossible. Snow looks about ready to shove her entire blade down my throat. 

“Sorry, I can’t. My current bosses are already scary enough.” I draw my knife and drop into a fighting stance. 

“…I’m going to include that in my report.” 

“A-Alice…that’s not funny.” 

Heine doesn’t appear to be particularly upset by the answer, briefly closing her eyes and chuckling softly. 

“Figures. You talk a good game when it comes to your villainy, but deep down, you still stick with the underdog. I’ve got an eye for that sort of thing. Mind telling me your name?” 

Wow, that’s actually news to me. I’m the sort who can’t betray the underdog? This woman’s certainly got a high opinion of me. My resolve wavers as I recall the armored woman barking orders at me during our first meeting and the faces of my superiors who damn near got me killed by teleporting me here. Maybe I should actually… Nah. 

“I’m Combat Agent Six…but you, Heine of the Flames, pillar of the Demon Lord’s Elite Four, can just call me Six.” 

After a moment’s pause, Heine breaks out in a giant grin. “A-ah! Six, eh? I’m Heine of the Flames! One of Demon Lord’s Elite Four!” 

…I see. 

“<Hey, Alice? This woman’s just like our Supreme Leaders. The sort who gets upset if you don’t use their nickname and title.>” 

“<That also means you can manipulate her by calling her by that name. Those types just love sticking to the script.>” 

Heine lets out a joyful yelp, holding out her hand. On her palm appears an orb of blue flame. 

Wait, what? What the hell? Seriously, what the hell?! 

Is that real magic?! 

“What are you two whispering about? Here I come, Six! I’ll try not to kill you, but I won’t make any promises! Come taste the power of Heine of the Flames!”