Prologue
Conference room, Kisaragi headquarters. Astaroth thumbs through some reports as she addresses those assembled.
“Based on the projected timeline, the hideout should be nearing completion.”
The reports are marked Kisaragi Corporation Grace Kingdom Hideout Construction Plan .
According to this scheme, the Destroyer would pacify the native fauna and allow construction of the frontline base to proceed.
Listening to the report, Lilith nods her head in agreement.
“In that case, it’s about time to send over reinforcements…”
“I’ll go! Clearly, we need to keep Belial here, given that she’s our greatest military asset! Although we’ve beaten back the heroes, we suffered heavy losses. Given that we’re still locked in a standoff and there’s no guarantee they’ll stay down for long, we should avoid risk and maintain…!”
Belial can’t hide a smirk as Astaroth breathlessly rattles off her reasons.
“Don’t play coy. It’s the bit in the report about him promising himself to someone that’s got you all bothered, isn’t it? That’s why Six always calls you a tsundere .”
“Don’t call me that! Why aren’t the two of you more concerned?! Remember, that guy once accepted an invitation from that pink whatever to join the Heroes. Considering that planet’s male population has been drastically reduced by the wars, I’m worried he’s going to get hooked by some shady floozy…”
“You do remember you’re an evil Supreme Leader yourself, right?”
“That’s beside the point! Anyway, we’re in agreement that I’ll be the one heading over there, right? In that case, I’ll start prepping the reinforcements…”
Just as Astaroth busily begins readying her departure, Belial holds up a hand to stop her.
“Now hold on, Astaroth—I want to go, too. Six and a few others are over there, and more than anything, it sounds like so much fun! Apparently, there are a bunch of mysterious animals…”
“We’re sending armed reinforcements, not going on a safari…! Besides, we’re still in a cold war with the Heroes…!”
Lilith puts a hold on Astaroth’s attempts at persuasion.
“As it happens, I’d like to go, too. Mysterious life-forms, untapped minerals… Given that this planet is full of mysteries waiting to be solved, it’s logical that I, the scientist, should lead the reinforcements. Furthermore, our so-called competitors from some undeveloped backwater aren’t going to be a match for Kisaragi’s technology. It doesn’t really matter who we send.”
“Whoa, watch what you say, Lilith! When you make fun of opponents and call them things like backward and inferior , you’re pretty much tempting fate! I remember Six warning me about that once!”
Just as the discussion begins to unravel…
“Fine, then let’s let Six decide. He can pick who he wants to see most from among us! Er, no! I mean, we’ll let him pick who he wants to see lead the reinforcements!”
Astaroth noisily fumbles with her weapons, her expression deathly serious.
““Did you just say ‘who he wants to see’?””
“Yes! Okay! I said it! So what?! Do you know what the letter Six sent me said?! That he’s super popular, that he’s gotten engaged, that a loli-girl almost ate him, and that some busty girl kissed him! At first, I thought he was just spouting nonsense as usual, but even Alice’s reports are saying similar things! That man’s always had a way of drawing in strange women, and I can’t even imagine what he’s up to now…!”
With Astaroth finally dropping any pretense and going on the offensive, Lilith draws back a hair.
“O-ooookay. So we agree to send whomever Six chooses? …While Belial’s got the whole nurturing persona going for her, I’m guessing he’s probably still going to pick Astaroth.”
“Y-you think so…? But given that it’s him we’re talking about, he might actually have picked up a local wife… He’s pretty absentminded; he might have even forgotten all about me…”
As Astaroth begins fidgeting and mumbling to herself, Belial grins brightly.
“He’s definitely in the meathead category like I am! I wouldn’t be surprised if he really has forgotten by now… Wait, wait, I’m kidding, I’m kidding! Cripes! Think about how he wound up joining us in the first place!”
“That’s right. Not that I’m proud of it as one of the Supreme Leaders, but Kisaragi’s Combat Agents get paid a pittance for some truly awful work. Yet somehow, that gutless Six has stuck with it for all these years. That’s all due to…”
Astaroth raises her head, evidently reassured by the two’s words.
“Y-you’re right… He’s constantly tagged along with me all this time, and he put his life on the line for me. I’m sure he’ll choose me…!”
Perhaps recalling her past with Six, Astaroth quirks her lips into a slight smile.
Just then, the monitor attached to the teleportation device activates, opening a portal to the planet.
On the screen is the man they’ve just been talking about.
“Ahem, Combat Agent Six here. The local hideout’s done, so I’d like to request reinforcements.”
At this long-awaited report, Astaroth turns toward the monitor, a faint flush to her cheeks—
“Hey, Astaroth, did you just loosen your top?”
“…I-it’s stuffy in here…”
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