Chapter 15: The Demon Sweat

We approached the fortress that the demon Sweat used as his base and began observing the situation.

While Kazuya conducted reconnaissance, I used mana detection to analyze the enemy’s positioning and strength. We discovered that about fifty humanoid monsters—ogres, orcs, goblins, and the like—were gathered at the front of the fortress. Additional monsters were also stationed around the perimeter. It became clear that infiltrating unnoticed would be nearly impossible.

Judging by the formation in front of the fortress, those fifty monsters were undoubtedly the main force.

Inside the fortress, I sensed a particularly strong magical presence, which I assumed belonged to Sweat.

“So, those monsters gathered out front are definitely their main force. What do we do?”

When I asked, Kazuya touched his chin thoughtfully before responding.

“Hey, Miki, think you could wipe out those monsters up front with some big magic?”

Ah, so that’s your plan. Guess it’s my turn to think now.

If I use a spell powerful enough to take out fifty monsters in one go, it’ll definitely damage the fortress too. It’d be hard to control. If I don’t have to worry about preserving the fortress, then it’s doable.

“If you want a full sweep, the fortress will take damage, and there won’t be any monster remains left for proof. Is that still okay?”

Kazuya replied with a casual surprise.

“I was just asking on the off chance, but I didn’t expect you to say you could actually do it… Well, it’s fine if the fortress gets damaged. We’re not here to reclaim it anyway, and no one’s going to complain if it gets wrecked. Our strategy this time is a full-frontal assault! Let’s do it.”

“Can we really call blasting our way through with big magic a ‘fair and square’ fight?”

“It’s fine. We’re ridiculously outnumbered—this much is justified. Now then, let’s see what you’ve got, Miki.”

“You’ve got a point… Alright, I’m going.”

“Yeah, I’m counting on you.”

I raised my staff and began forming the image of a powerful spell in my mind.

A simple, massive explosion—three of them. I pictured the shockwave, the sound, the blast, the flames, and the shrapnel—all devastating both the monsters and the fortress.

Explosion scenes are common in anime and manga, so forming the image didn’t take long.

“Alright!”

I chanted the explosive spell three times.

Blinding flashes erupted from the tip of my staff, the first shot slamming into the fortress’s main gate and exploding. Two more blasts hit the courtyard in rapid succession.

The dazzling flashes, followed by deafening booms and tremors, filled the air. Fireballs and debris scattered everywhere, instantly turning the scene into a vision of hell.

Some monsters were vaporized on the spot. Others were blasted away by the shockwave and killed. Even those who survived the explosion were now writhing in agony, engulfed in flames.

The fortress wasn’t spared either—the main gate was obliterated, the walls crumbled, and the damage was extensive.

Just as Kazuya requested, all the monsters in the front courtyard were wiped out.

Seeing the aftermath, Kazuya stood dumbfounded.

“…Hey, do you even need me here?”

“What are you talking about? I did exactly what you asked. Now it’s Sweat’s turn—come on!”

I cast body enhancement and fire resistance spells on both of us, pulled up my hood, and sprinted toward the fortress.

---

Charging through the barren, crater-riddled courtyard, we reached the main gate. From within the ruined fortress, a demon with a powerful aura emerged.

That must be Sweat.

“I come out to see what the commotion was, and what the hell is this mess?! Was it your doing? Who are you?!”

In response to Sweat’s demand, Kazuya pulled down his hood, stepped forward, and drew his sword with a declaration.

“I am Kazuya Marsh, Hero! I’ve come to defeat you, Sweat!”

“Marsh…? Oh, right. That’s the name of that rookie who just became a hero. How arrogant of a mere B-rank! I am Sweat! A demon aiming to become one of the Demon King’s top generals by killing you! Remember my name as a souvenir for the afterlife!”

So this is Sweat. The aura and atmosphere around him were unlike anything we’d faced before.

Pay attention, Kazuya—this one’s different from the rest!

“Tell me—was that explosion magic earlier… your doing?”

“Nope. That was my partner, Miki.”

Hearing that, Sweat turned to me. I pulled down my hood and revealed my face, prompting a flicker of surprise before his expression twisted into fury.

“…An elf aiding a hero? How perfect. I despise elves. After I crush this hero, you’re next. I’ll kill you slowly, miserably, and painfully—drag it out for as long as I can!”

I didn’t know why, but he clearly harbored a deep grudge against elves. I’d never had someone direct this much hatred toward me before.

Historically, elves didn’t usually take sides in the war between humans and the Demon King. Most remained neutral observers.

Honestly, if it weren’t for Kazuya, I wouldn’t have joined the fight either.

“I won’t let you! I won’t let you lay a single finger on Miki—and I will defeat you!”

Kazuya stepped between us, shielding me from Sweat’s gaze.

“Relax. You’ll be first, Hero. You really think two lowly fighters like you can take me on? Don’t underestimate me!”

What Sweat didn’t know was that Kazuya had already cleared A-rank quests and fought at an A-rank level. His growth rate was phenomenal.

That arrogance would be his undoing.

Sweat cast a spell.

Dozens of sharp icicles materialized and rained down toward Kazuya in a wide spread.

Kazuya managed to block them with his cloak, but the attack didn’t let up, forcing him into a purely defensive stance.

I stepped back slightly and cast cold resistance, heat infusion, and a barrier spell on Kazuya.

The heat infusion counteracts the body temperature drop from the cold, as well as reducing damage. With the barrier on top, the icicles and chill shouldn’t be a concern anymore.

Hearing the explosions, more monsters were now converging on our position. I called out to Kazuya.

“Monsters from outside are gathering! I’ll handle them—Sweat’s all yours! Don’t let your guard down!”

Still facing Sweat, Kazuya replied without looking back.

“Got it! Leave it to me!”

“You think you can fight me on even ground? Don’t make me laugh!”

Sweat stopped the barrage of icicles and transformed both hands into blades of ice, attacking with dual swords.

At the same time, he summoned massive icicles above Kazuya, dropping them repeatedly to break his focus and overwhelm him.

Kazuya desperately dodged the falling ice while parrying the twin blades with his buckler, unable to find an opening for a counterattack.

Even when he managed to shatter one of Sweat’s ice swords, Sweat instantly recreated it, leaving no gaps in his assault.

---

"Come on come on come on! Is this all you've got, oh mighty Hero? Pathetic for someone who talked so big!"

Kazuya's defensive battle continued. Simply exchanging sword blows would inevitably lead to attrition due to the difference in attack speed. Just as he thought of a way to restrict his opponent's movements, an idea struck him. With mithril, this should work perfectly.

"Kazuya! Lightning magic! Channel lightning through your mithril sword!"

A magic ore like mithril should temporarily hold enchantments - similar to what his past life would call an "enchanted sword."

"G-got it!"

"You think I'll let you cast magic?!"

Hearing this, Sweat intensified his assault to prevent any spellcasting. Until now, Sweat had been fighting Kazuya while maintaining vigilance against me, but his focus on overwhelming Kazuya made him drop his guard against me.

Recognizing my chance, I launched several fireballs at Sweat between dealing with other monsters.

"Tch! Annoying!"

Sweat’s magical defense against the fireballs bought Kazuya just enough time. Not wasting the opportunity, Kazuya enchanted his sword with lightning magic, creating a crackling mithril blade. Immediately following his battle cry, he swung at Sweat.

"Lightning Blade!!"

...No such spell or technique name actually existed. This was pure chuunibyou naming from Kazuya. Maybe it referenced something from his past life.

"Too naive!!"

Sweat blocked with his ice sword, only for his body to stiffen from electric shock.

"Guh!?"

Kazuya's self-proclaimed "Lightning Blade" delivered not just extra damage but also paralysis - devastating against materials like ice, water, or iron with low electrical resistance. Since Sweat’s arms were transformed into ice, the shock effect was direct.

The Lightning Blade shattered the ice sword and cleaved into Sweat’s paralyzed torso.

"Raaaah!!! Lightning Blade Barrage!!!!"

Further shocks and paralysis left Sweat helpless as Kazuya delivered a flurry of strikes before finally beheading him. Sweat’s dying scream was "Damnable elf!!" Seriously, how much did he hate elves...?

"Justice is served!!"

Kazuya struck a finishing pose - that samurai-style downward slash before sheathing his sword. Though "justice is served" sounds awfully cheerful coming from him...

That said, a demon of Sweat’s caliber should have physical and magical defenses, yet Kazuya carved through him like they didn’t exist. Typical Hero nonsense, I suppose.

With Sweat defeated, the remaining monsters scattered. The Sweat subjugation was complete.

---

As the Lightning Blade reverted to a normal mithril sword, Kazuya collapsed on the spot.

"Phew... exhausted. Sweat was strong. Seriously dangerous. And he's not even an executive? Plus that Lightning Blade drained me dry - used up enough magic for ten normal lightning spells."

"And it lasts less than a minute. You could sustain it with continuous magic infusion, but the cost is ridiculous. Best saved for finishing moves."

I approached Kazuya and offered my hand.

"Yeah, good idea."

When he took my hand to get up... nothing happened. Either he weighed a ton or had zero intention of standing.

"Hey, you're not even trying."

"Nope. C'mere~"

Instead, he pulled me down toward him.

"Whoa!?"

As I stumbled, Kazuya caught me, falling backward while pulling me into an embrace.

"Hey! What the-?!"

"Too tired~ Need to rest a bit~ Need some Miki healing~ Just for a little while, okay?"

...He was genuinely exhausted, and the fight had been intense. What a pain... but fine, I'll allow it.

Seeing me relent, Kazuya tightened his embrace and buried his face in my golden hair.

"Don't get handsy."

"I know, I know. I'll treat you right."

He nuzzled into my hair and neck, taking a deep breath.

"Ew! Stop being creepy!"

"But you smell amazing, Miki. So calming."

"That's what's creepy!"

"Well? Can you smell me too?"

"Don't ignore me! ...Yeah, I can smell you..."

"Bad smell? Stinky?"

I sniffed tentatively at his neck. A faint sweat scent, but not unpleasant or particularly strong... hmm.

"Yeah... well... not bad or stinky, so relax."

"Phew~ If Miki called me stinky, I'd just die."

His carefree smile appeared.

"Dramatic much..."

"It's important! Wouldn't want the person you love saying that, right?"

"Wha-?! Don't just spring that on me!"

"What? Are you blushing? Starting to like me back?"

"No comment! Do what you want!"

I turned away with a huff.

"Okay, I will."

With that, Kazuya buried his face against my neck again and hugged me tighter. Strangely... I didn't actually mind.

And so we spent a little while like that, alternating between bickering and comfortable silence.