A few minutes after reuniting with Trim-san and the locals, we followed Miu and a demon guide deeper into the forest. Despite dense trees, sunlight reached the ground, making the surroundings bright.
Irina whispered, "Issei-kun, we're heading to a demon village, right? We're unknown, but you defeated their Demon King. Is that okay?"
Valid point. The others behind shared her concern, eyeing me worriedly.
"It'll work out… probably," I mumbled.
"Really, Issei-kun, so carefree…" Irina sighed.
Haha, sorry for being so laid-back. But it might be fine.
"Did you contact Maurice?" I asked.
"Yes, I sent a soldier to inform Lord Maurice of your arrival," the demon replied.
Good, they'll prepare for us.
After walking, we reached a dead end. The demon guide raised a hand, muttering. The scenery warped, revealing a hidden path.
"Magic hiding the entrance? Never seen this kind," Azazel-sensei said.
"Not even in Norse magic," Rossweisse added.
Miu explained, "It's conceptual magic, sealing the 'entrance' concept to one spot. Others just circle around."
Sensei and Rossweisse nodded, impressed. I didn't get it, so I let it slide.
"This way," the demon said.
The path started gentle but grew steep. Asia struggled, panting.
"You okay, Asia?" I asked.
"Y-Yes… just tired…" she gasped.
Tough slope. I crouched. "Hop on, Asia."
"But, Issei-san…" she hesitated.
"I won't tire from carrying you. Twisting an ankle would be worse."
"Okay, then…" Asia climbed on, blushing.
She's light. But the girls' silent pressure hit me. Miu teared up. Why?
"Crafty, Asia," Xenovia muttered seriously.
Sensei and Kiba smirked. "Issei-kun stirs trouble," Sensei said.
"Natural lady-killer," Kiba added.
Lady-killer? Me? I'm the one getting dragged around!
"No need to note that, Rossweisse-san!" I protested as she scribbled.
Further up, a gate of vines appeared—village entrance, guarded by two armed demons. Our guide and Miu explained. We waited.
"Don't get killed, Issei," Sensei teased.
"I'll protect you," Kiba said, eyes sparkling too much.
Why's he sound so… intense?
Miu waved us over. "Sorry for the wait," she said.
"No biggie. Big group," I replied, smiling. Over twenty of us, including Trim-san's crew.
"Can we enter?" I asked.
"Yes, approved," Miu smiled.
She spun, arms wide. "Welcome to our eternal forest city, Forestnium!!"
The demon-led village was breathtaking—a fusion of nature and city. A giant tree on a gentle slope served as living space, with homes in its trunk and branches, some too high to see.
The tree was their home.
"Amazing…" someone whispered. I felt the same, awestruck by its majesty.
"Never seen anything like it! This world's already fun!" Sensei exclaimed.
This was Ast-Arde, a different world. Not here for fun, but I was curious.
An elderly dark-skinned man, like a dark elf, approached. "Apologies for the late welcome," he said.
"Ulm!" Miu's voice brightened.
"You're the elder now? You look well," she said.
"As do you, Princess," Ulm smiled, then eyed Issei. "Hyoudou Issei-dono?"
We tensed. Not just a name check—he was asking if Issei killed their king.
"I'm Issei Hyoudou," Issei said calmly.
"Wait, Ulm! He's—" Miu tried to intervene.
"No need to worry. We mean no harm. We know Lord Sirius's will," Ulm said.
Relief washed over us.
"We've prepared for the injured. Others, follow me to talk," Ulm said.
His home, a serene space in the tree, smelled faintly sweet. A woman, likely family, served tea.
"Thank you, Brave Issei-dono," Ulm said.
"No big deal. Helping people's normal," Issei replied.
"He called you 'Brave'?" Rias asked.
"Uh, yeah, I'm kinda a hero here…" Issei laughed awkwardly.
"Explain!" I demanded.
Issei hesitated. Trim-san answered, "Issei-dono ended the human-demon war single-handedly, defeating the invincible Demon King Sirius in a duel. He's a hero here."
"Trim-san! We're in demon territory!" Issei panicked.
"No worries. Some resent you, but we acknowledge you," Ulm said.
"Huh?" Issei blinked.
"Humans attacked even non-combatants. We had our own evils. But you spared the unwilling, protected us, even against allies. Your heart changed both sides," Ulm explained.
"I just called out wrong," Issei said.
"Doing so is hard. Your noble heart earned Sirius's respect. You're our hero too," Ulm said.
Issei sighed. Earning praise from enemies is rarer than from allies. He's incredible.
Rias and the girls blushed, staring at him. Trouble brewing.
"Rias's points just skyrocketed. Bigger storms ahead," Sensei grinned.
I agreed. Good luck, Issei.
"Some felt humiliated…" Ulm added.
A wall exploded. Dust swirled. A beast-eared woman with a massive hammer approached, radiating fury.
"Found you, pervert hero!" she roared.
"Uh…" Issei stammered.
"You ruined my clothes on the battlefield!" she yelled.
Clothes. We got it—Dress Break.
"For that grudge—die!" she screamed, swinging.
"Time out!" Issei dodged, fleeing.
She chased. Ulm smiled wryly. "That's Elza, a rare female warrior. Issei-dono's Dress Break got her."
Of course. The earlier awe? Gone.
"That move helped me too. Quite a sight," Ulm chuckled, stroking his brow.
"Issei-kun's the same everywhere," Irina said. We nodded.
Issei's scream echoed.