Prevent a war?
Yup.
Assuming you don't want to hand over Shera-chan.
The Lord of Faltra City has received demands from the Elven Kingdom
for Shera L. Greenwood to be handed over.
The deadline is ten days from now,
and they say they're not afraid to wage war if their demands aren't met.
No way...
What'll you do, Diablo-san?
Episode Five Imperial Knight
You're kidding...
You're kidding, right?
Greenwood is going to war with the Kingdom of Lyferia over me?
At this rate, yeah.
That's why the lord and I are both in trouble.
Back then...
Shera made her feelings known and clearly told them she didn't want to go home.
They still haven't given up?
So...
We'd like you to work out a way to prevent this war, Diablo-san.
Okay?
I absolutely refuse!
How am I supposed to prevent a war?!
Rant
Negotiate?
Gripe
If had the communication skills to do that,
Gripe
I wouldn't be struggling to keep faking this Demon Lord persona!
That's something the people in power should figure out!
But reality never works out that way.
What do I do to protect Shera?
What should I do?
By the way, Prince Keera from the Kingdom of Greenwood
has put a huge bounty on Shera-chan.
What?!
Nii-san did?!
Absurd.
The reward is enough for a commoner to goof off for the rest of their life.
From now on, you'll never know when or where
some imprudent adventurer will try to go after Shera-chan.
You'd be better off not going outside at all.
That's...
That's just...
Shera...
Diablo?!
He placed a bounty on his own little sister?
Screw him!
If there's any fool out there blinded by greed,
I'll make them regret challenging me!
Diablo!
You belong to me.
I told you before, right?
Yeah.
So no matter who comes after you,
I won't let them lay a finger on you.
You can continue walking proudly through the city, just like always.
What do we do about the Kingdom of Greenwood?
The first step to clearing any quest is gathering information.
So we're going to go talk to the lord right now.
As if I'm gonna let him start some stupid war!
Thank you, Diablo!
I'll go with you, too!
I'll follow you anywhere, Diablo!
Ahem...
Go change your clothes first, stupid Shera.
The lord is the hero of this city.
Hero?
It happened thirty years ago.
When the Demon Lord was still around,
he fought on the front lines and defeated several Fallen single-handedly.
Sounds like Diablo the other day.
What's his level?
We've never assessed him, so I wouldn't know.
He's not an adventurer, either.
He might have been measured long ago,
but he's not the kind of person I could ask about that easily.
Do you mean the lord...
is hard to talk to?
People say he can be pretty rigid.
He's a little scary.
So Diablo-san...
Be careful how you speak to him, okay?
H-Hey, Galford-san!
Nice weather we're having, huh?
Can Diablo even use polite language?
Shh! Shut up, stupid Shera!
Diablo-san has accepted the quest about that matter.
In that case,
he should resolve the problem quickly.
You can report to me after the quest is complete.
Well, the difficulty of the quest is pretty high, you know?
So he wanted to gather some more information.
I believe I already told you everything you need to know.
Well, true, but...
Oh, right!
Could you at least introduce yourself to them?
Good grief...
Adventurers who don't even know the name of their lord?
I am Lieutenant General Chester Ray Galford.
His Royal Majesty has entrusted the fortified city, Faltra, to me.
I'm Rem Galleu, an adventurer.
I'm Shera L. Greenwood.
S-S-Scary!
What's with this tense atmosphere?!
Demon Lord Mode
Humble Spirited Mode
Introductions?!
Trying to do this without dropping my Demon Lord act or provoking the other guy
sets the hurdle way too high!
Difficulty
This seems way more difficult than preventing a war!
Y-Yeah...
I am Diablo.
I've come to hear you out.
I did it!
I managed a peaceful introduction with my poor communication skills!
I can do it when I try!
According to my reports, you call yourself the "Demon Lord from another world."
Is that true?
Shall I reduce you to ash to prove it?
Diablo!
W-Wait, please!
He's always like this!
He doesn't mean anything by it!
Hmph.
You adventurers truly are a strange lot.
Huh?
Look behind you.
Southeast of the city lies Seplia Lake,
and to the east of that is a forest that currently conceals Elves.
We still don't know their exact number.
But considering the Kingdom's forces, we estimate 100 at most.
A hundred?
That's not much for an army.
It's a number not worth considering.
However, their specialty is hiding in trees to ambush enemies.
If I were to send troops into that forest where the Elves lie in wait,
I would lose many men.
Having my men die needlessly is the one thing I hate most.
And that's why you're using me?
If you'd just hand over the princess,
there'd be no need for that.
I refuse!
Princess Shera,
what do you seek so ardently that you would abandon your life of luxury
and brave danger to disguise yourself as an adventurer?
I...
I wanted a reason to be myself.
One that wasn't my bloodline.
I wanted to know what I'm worth on my own.
I don't think I could ever find that in the Elven nation.
I see.
You understand?
I couldn't possibly empathize with that.
But I'll retain the knowledge of it.
I see...
We don't need empathy from others.
We face hardships as we please,
put forth our efforts where we please,
challenge our limits as we please,
and savor the successes we achieve by our own strength.
When you're following a path you chose yourself,
you mustn't be led astray, no matter what others may say.
That's what it means to live free.
Then you won't be handing Princess Shera over.
So you'll be taking measures to prevent war with the Kingdom of Greenwood.
Do I understand you correctly?
Shera to belongs to me anyway.
There's no room for others to get involved.
Then I leave it to you.
Oh, right.
Someone was dispatched from the royal capital about this matter.
Let me introduce you.
I am Alicia Cristela, an Imperial Knight.
I have received orders from His Royal Majesty to address this matter.
An Imperial Knight?
It is an honor to meet you.
An Imperial Knight...
Alicia Cristela?
In Cross Reverie, only powerful people with a lineage could become Imperial Knights.
They're supposed to be the elite of the elite.
Was there a character like her in the game?
It's extremely rare to see an Imperial Knight who's a woman.
I thought they were all men.
Fortunately for me, I serve as an Imperial Knight despite being a woman.
That's wonderful.
No, I still have a long way to go.
What about you, Rem-sama?
You seem to be worrying about something yourself.
What made you think that?
I'm sorry.
It was just a guess.
According to the reports, you're a talented Summoner,
but you aren't working under anyone.
So I figured there must be some reason for that.
I see.
If there's anything I can help you with,
please feel free to talk to me about it.
Thank you very much.
Sylvie-sama...
His Majesty sent this as reparations.
Reparations?
Since you lost many adventurers in that incident the other day.
Oh...
Thanks.
Shera-sama!
I'm with you!
I'm sure we'll have a lot of trouble due to this matter,
but I'll do my best alongside you to make everyone happy!
Yeah!
She's crazy!!!
She's crazy!
Her overwhelming communication skills let her converse perfectly
with someone she only just met!
As a person, her level is a whole universe higher than scum like me!
Diablo-sama...
I cannot express enough gratitude and respect to you for defending
the Bridge of Ulug and Faltra from the Fallen's attack.
I'm sure you have no need of my aid,
but please permit me to accompany you nonetheless!
C-C-C-C-C-C-Crap!
She's too perfect as a person!
If I'm not careful, she might see through my Demon Lord act!
Frankly, I don't want her to talk to me!
Do as you please.
However!
If you don't want to die, then don't speak to me frivolously.
Then I shall prepare myself for that.
Huh?
If that is enough to quell your rage, Diablo-sama,
then I shall not begrudge you my life!
Sh-Sh-Sh-ShShShShSh...
She's so diligent!
Diablo-sama, where are we heading?
We're not heading straight for the woods with the Elves, are we?
We're going to a weaponsmith before that.
A weaponsmith?
I don't think this city can offer a better staff than the one you have, Diablo.
Don't judge my actions by your standards.
I have a plan.
This was true in our last battle, too,
but the residents of this world are just too low-level compared to the game.
It's not going to end well
if I accidentally kill my opponents in front of an Imperial Knight,
so I need to buy a weapon that makes it easier for me to go easy on them.
Welcome!
Thank you so much!
You... bought a pretty incredible one.
I focused on its appearance and ability to deal with small fry.
Since that's what I want!
It... suits you well.
What are we doing after this?
Well, next, I guess we'll buy ingredients for potions at an item shop.
It would be nice if we didn't need to fight,
but it's always best to be prepared for any outcome.
Hurry!
Shera-sama, if you run around too much, you'll trip.
She's like a mom.
Wha...
What?!
No! Let go!
Shera-sama?!
Bounty hunters?!
You're not getting by us!
You can play with us for a bit.
What did you say?!
Move!
T-Too strong...
That wasn't lethal, was it?
Well?!
Huh?
Good, I can hold back on them.
I made the right choice with this weapon!
Why, you!
I won't allow you to get in Diablo-sama's way!
Tsk...
I'm surprised.
I didn't think fools tempted by the bounty would show up this soon.
Are you prepared for this?
Please leave them to me!
Right.
Shera!
No!
I hear something approaching us, Nii-san!
What is this sound, little brother?!
Help me!
Shera!
Wait for me, Shera!
I'm catching up now!
Diablo!
What?!
He's fast, Nii-san!
He is fast, little brother!
But we can't let ourselves get captured after coming this far!
Double Smash!
I'll never allow wickedness to befall women in this city!
You're...
It's been a while, friend.
My name is Emile Bichel Berger.
I am the ally of all women and allies of women!
Thanks, Emile.
You saved me.
Still, I'm surprised you were passing through this back alley.
Well...
I've kept it quiet so far,
but I can smell the very scent of a woman in trouble!
Just don't do anything to get yourself arrested.
I kid, I kid!
I actually heard from the Adventurer's Guild that Prince Keera put out a bounty.
So I was searching for Shera-chan to protect her.
Makes sense.
As for me personally,
I'd like to repay you for saving me the other day.
By the way,
what are you planning to do with them?
They may have failed, but they're still kidnappers.
There's an Imperial Knight with us, too.
Leave these men to me.
I need to eliminate those who would make women cry from this world.
Will you kill them?
Perish the thought.
I'll just pound the preciousness of women
into them until they understand it from the bottoms of their hearts!
I'll turn them into honest people who would
never make the mistake of trying to kidnap women!
Harsh!
Now then, I'll be heading off,
but this won't be the last of those blinded by the bounty.
Please be careful.
Later, Emile!
You have my gratitude.
I nearly allowed my charge to be kidnapped.
You have my sincere gratitude.
My goodness! It seems I've charmed another woman.
What a sinful man I am.
I think Emile's a good guy, but I'm not charmed by him.
He's not a bad person,
but I'd rather avoid getting too involved with him.
Shera...
What?
Don't stray from me.
Stay by my side.
Huh? I can?
It'd be a hassle if you got kidnapped again.
Can...
Can I... hold your hand?
Yes.
Listen...
Thanks for saving me.
Emile is the one who saved you.
But you're the one who took out their companions, right?
I was really scared,
but when I saw you chasing after me,
I felt relieved.
Don't rest easy before you've been saved.
You're too optimistic.
That's too close!
But it's dangerous if I'm away from you, right?
Still...
I'm surprised.
You're that strong even without using your magic?
Impressive.
Th-That's only natural.
I'm no mere Sorcerer, after all.
I'm the Demon Lord.
Yes!
My apologies, Diablo-sama.
Shera-sama was endangered due to my inattention.
How can I make it up to you?
That's not true!
I'm to blame for that!
You didn't do anything wrong, Alicia-san!
But...
You're misunderstanding.
I'm the Demon Lord Diablo.
I never desired your aid to begin with.
Th-Then how may I be of service to you, Diablo-sama?
This girl is way too diligent.
Even if she is an Imperial Knight,
it'll be hard on her if she doesn't relax more.
Are you one of those?
The type that thinks anyone who isn't useful should die?
Huh? That's not...
That's not true at all!
Then forgive yourself for being useless.
If you want to accompany us, do so as you please.
You don't need to insist on producing results.
Yes.
I, Alicia Cristela, shall henceforth turn my greatest effort
toward forgiving myself when I'm not useful!
That's all wrong!
Well, shall we head to the forest with the Elves now?
Yeah, let's all do our best!
Good grief... You're so boorish.
That wasn't me!
It was Diablo, wasn't it?
Don't be foolish!
I'm not as gluttonous as you are!
Then who...
Shall we go grab a bite, Alicia-san?
I-I'm fine...
You know what they say about empty stomachs.
I-Is that so?
Hey, what should we eat?
Meat.
You always want that, Rem!
What would you like, Alicia-san?
I don't really...
Let's eat meat.
No!
I want fruit!
Don't fight, you fools!
You figured out a way to release our collars?!
It looks good on you.
Send my magic power into Shera!
Diablo, wait!
Episode Six Slave Market
This feels incredible!