The village was alive with tension.
Lanterns flickered early along the stone streets. Blacksmiths bolted their shops before sunset. Adventurers whispered in tight groups, comparing small details of rumors that smelled too much like truth.
And Asura walked straight through the center of it all.
Mary, Lucilla, and Rhazor flanked him—not as guards, but as the only three people who understood the level of absurd disaster that followed the eight-year-old True Demon Lord wherever he went.
Asura stretched his arms behind his head.
"Well. Everything feels ominous."
Rhazor snorted. "Well, that's one way to put it."
Lucilla sighed. "It feels like the whole village is holding its breath."
Mary pulled her new outfit's collar straight. "My outfit looks good though, right? I mean—ominous vibes aside."
Asura nodded. "It looks great on you."
Mary blushed and immediately looked away.
As they approached the village's main gathering hall, two armored guards stood blocking the doors—torches crackling on either side.
The older one frowned when he saw Asura.
"Sorry kid. This area is for the emergency strategy council only."
Asura blinked. "Hello, but I'm here to help."
Both guards chuckled.
The younger one crouched slightly to ruffle his hair.
"That's sweet, little guy. But this is advanced stuff. Grown-up business."
Lucilla inhaled sharply through her nose.
Rhazor mouthed don't at her.
Mary disguised her lethal irritation with a brittle smile.
Asura, still completely calm, tapped his chin.
"I could handle the monster army."
The guards laughed harder.
"That's good confidence, champ. Love the enthusiasm."
The older guard added, "Man… if only the Demon King walked through that door, we'd actually have a fighting chance."
"Yeah, or his grandson," the younger guard said. "What was that boy's name again? Ah—doesn't matter. But bet he's living the pampered noble life."
Asura blinked.
Lucilla stared at the ground, shaking.
Rhazor stared at the sky, praying for them.
Mary stared at Asura, horrified at the comedic timing.
Asura shrugged lightly. "He's probably out somewhere causing trouble."
The guards nodded in agreement.
Inside his mind:
[ ＡＥＴＨＥＲＢＯＲＮ : Reveal your identity and watch their souls leave their bodies. ]
[ ＳＹＳＴＥＭ : PLEASE don't reveal your identity to random guards!!! ]
Asura sighed. "Fine. I'll come back later."
They turned away, and Mary whispered urgently:
"We have to get into that meeting. You saw the future."
Lucilla nodded. "We need to tell them what's coming."
Asura put both hands behind his head again. "Yeah, but they won't listen to me."
Rhazor rubbed the bridge of his nose. "So… what's your plan?"
Asura shrugged.
"Punch the wall until they realize I'm serious?"
Mary immediately grabbed his arm.
"NO. Absolutely not."
Inside Asura's mind:
[ ＡＥＴＨＥＲＢＯＲＮ : I vote yes. ]
[ ＳＹＳＴＥＭ : I VOTE NO. ABSOLUTELY NO. ]
Lucilla placed a hand on Asura's shoulder. "Or… you could change your appearance."
Asura blinked twice.
"Oh. Right. That's also an option."
Rhazor groaned. "He actually forgot."
Mary sighed. "Or he'd rather punch through the walls until they finally listened."
Asura headed into a nearby alleyway to think in peace, Aether glowing faintly at his fingertips.
He could change into an adult.
He could disguise himself as a soldier.
He could impersonate a noble.
But one idea rose to the top.
A slime.
He stared at his hand thoughtfully.
"…I could turn into a slime again."
Mary nearly tripped.
Lucilla choked.
Rhazor stared.
"NO! They would instantly attack you."
Asura shrugged. "Yeah your right. Because this world doesn't have intelligent slimes. People might see me as a threat."
Rhazor nodded seriously. "Yeah."
[ ＡＥＴＨＥＲＢＯＲＮ : Slime is optimal. Low-profile. Disturbingly fun. ]
[ ＳＹＳＴＥＭ : NO SLIME. STOP TRYING TO BE RIMURU. ]
Asura sighed.
"…If Rimuru existed here, he'd probably tell me not to copy him."
Mary blinked. "Rim—who?"
"Never mind."
He scanned memories from both lifetimes—animals, monsters, gentle creatures—until his eyes lit up.
"Oh. That's perfect."
Lucilla leaned in. "What did you pick?"
"You'll see."
Rhazor sighed. "We're doomed."
Asura smiled faintly.
Time to infiltrate.
✦ Inside the Strategy Hall — War Council
The hall glowed with lamplight.
A long table dominated the center, covered in maps, crystals, scouting reports, and monster tracks drawn in charcoal.
Those gathered were the strongest protectors of the region.
Lord Ordon Valcryst, Village Leader
Sturdy, calm, former adventurer turned leader.
Lady Selvia Valcryst
His wife, a healer running triage stations across the village.
Kael Valcryst — C-Rank Adventurer (the annoying one)
Ordon and Selvia's son.
Arrogant. Overconfident. Loud.
Lina Valcryst — The Village's Beloved Daughter
Sweet. Kind. Strong potential.
Every adventurer's morale buff.
Princess Elzra of Groblinheim
Arms crossed. Killing Kael with her eyes.
Captain Draen Valos
Still injured but standing strong.
Mage-Lieutenant Seris Althanea
Calm but shaken.
Gabe Rydren
Already stealing food from a tray nearby.
Varis Blackmaw — SS+ Rank
Lean, panther-like, leaning against a pillar silently.
Mira Goldflare — SS Rank
Tapping her sword impatiently.
Jorren Stonehide — SS Rank
Arms crossed, unmoving like a boulder.
Elder Sage Rowan Thundersong — SSS Rank
Calm. Quiet.
The room bends around his presence.
Lord Ordon stood at the head of the table.
"Let's begin. Draen was it? Report."
Draen nodded.
"The Abyssal army is moving fast. Hundreds of monsters. Three lieutenants leading. The Behemoth Dragon itself was sighted."
A hush fell over the room.
Kael scoffed loudly.
"So what? We have elite adventurers! We'll crush them."
Mira glared. "Sit down, kid."
Kael puffed up. "But I'm the leader's son—!"
"Sit." Jorren growled.
Kael sat down instantly.
Seris continued:
"Convoy casualties are heavy. Reinforcements from the Demon King won't come quickly. Draen's authority isn't high enough."
Gabe wiped his mouth.
"Wish the Demon King was here. He'd stomp these guys flat."
Mira agreed. "His grandson too. They say he's terrifying."
Varis smirked. "Rumor says he's a demon prodigy."
Rowan quietly added:
"Power on the level of a sub-deity, they say."
Elzra huffed.
"He'd better be. The realms need someone that ridiculous."
Draen nodded solemnly.
"If they were here, this entire battle would be over."
Everyone murmured in agreement.
No one noticed the tiniest creature peeking through the window behind them.
Asura blinked his adorable new eyes.
"Oh wow," he thought, "they're really having a meeting about me without me."
[ ＳＹＳＴＥＭ : Host please be VERY careful—your disguise is extremely cute—someone might try to pet— ]
[ ＡＥＴＨＥＲＢＯＲＮ : Let them pet him. It will be hilarious. ]
Asura ignored both.
Time to gather intel.
✦ Meanwhile — Outside the Hall
Mary tapped her foot impatiently.
"He's taking far too long."
Lucilla sighed. "He's Asura. He could be standing on the ceiling listening through the wood."
Rhazor nodded. "Or under the table right now."
They all paused.
"…That's probably exactly what he did," Mary whispered.
✦ Back Inside — The War Plan
Ordon spread a map.
"Rowan, Mira, Varis—you take the front. Jorren, Gabe, Seris—defense perimeter. Elzra—begin formation for emergency teleport of civilians."
Elzra twirled her hair smugly. "Obviously."
Kael raised his hand. "And me?"
Everyone ignored him.
Except Jorren, who sighed.
"…Sit there patiently."
Kael exploded. "I AM A C-RANK—"
"Exactly," Mira snapped.
Rowan spoke softly:
"A storm approaches. Do not waste breath on ego."
Even Kael went quiet.
The tension thickened as Ordon concluded:
"We may not survive this unless a miracle arrives.
Prepare as if none will."
A tiny breeze brushed past Rowan's ear.
He turned slightly.
"…Interesting," the sage whispered. "A presence…"
Asura froze under the table.
Rowan's lips curled faintly.
But he didn't reveal what he sensed.
Instead, he said quietly:
"The winds whisper… that someone unexpected walks among us."
Varis's ears perked.
Mira stopped tapping her sword.
Ordon tensed.
Kael yelped.
But Rowan simply smiled.
"…And we should welcome them when they choose to reveal themselves."
Asura blinked.
"Oh crap," he thought.
"He knows."
Inside:
[ ＡＥＴＨＥＲＢＯＲＮ : Exposed. Tease him. Fight him. Befriend him. Better yet, do all three. ]
[ ＳＹＳＴＥＭ : HOST PLEASE DO NOT FIGHT THE SSS-RANK SAGE— ]
✦ Asura's Real Plan
Asura quietly slipped out of the hall and returned to the alley where Mary, Lucilla, and Rhazor waited.
Mary rushed over. "You're okay!"
Lucilla: "Did you get in?"
Asura grinned. "Yep."
Rhazor blinked. "How? And the guards, they didn't see you… Right?"
Asura held a finger to his lips.
"How I got in is a secret. And did any of the guards see… While no."
Lucilla groaned. "You little—"
He lifted his chin.
"Okay. I know what they're planning. And I know what they missed."
Mary leaned in. "What?"
Asura's eyes gleamed with confidence and mischief.
"They're preparing for a normal monster army."
Lucilla frowned. "And…?"
"It's not a normal monster army."
A faint tremor rolled beneath their feet.
Mary stiffened.
Rhazor put a hand on his sword.
Lucilla whispered, "Already…?"
Asura stepped forward, looking toward the dark horizon.
A smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
"Time to test my secondary form."
[ ＳＹＳＴＥＭ : Please don't do anything dangerous— Or stupid]
[ ＡＥＴＨＥＲＢＯＲＮ : Do everything dangerous, at once. Entertain me child. ]
Asura inhaled deeply.
"No matter how big the army… this village will be under my protection."
The ground trembled again.
He cracked his knuckles.
"Let's have some fun."