Another day has passed and I, Koneko Toujo, still have to practice energy control with Issei, quite inconvenient and annoying but I was forced to follow what Issei said considering he is sometimes very chatty about some things related about me.

"So..."

"What are you doing here, Gabriel?" I immediately glanced at the girl who yesterday forced me to go along with her on an exploration mission.

Since yesterday these two look so close to each other, it kinda suspicious but whatever.

-0-

The Capital City

The throne room, the King as usual stared at this large room with a blank stare where he was lost in his thoughts where nothing interesting happened.

"My King"

Someone walked into the room in the typical aristocratic attire, kneeling in front of him with grace

"What do you want?"

"My King, allow us to be the expedition team in eradicating those damn demons"

"No"

"Why"

"Because I hate the idea of a woman on the battlefield, can you get out of my sight now?"

"Your Majesty, how can you say that!? I have served the kingdom and become the best! So..."

"Shut up, are you starting to dare to oppose me?"

An intonation filled with intimidation began to fill the room, the girl immediately fell silent when she saw the king began to look angry. The girl could only kneel in silence waiting for the king to speak but silence still filled the room until a few moments later the king started to stand up from his chair

"Listen, I have a much better mission for you. I ordered you to go southeast and look for clues about the girl named Koneko, do you understand me?"

"Yes, Your Majesty"

The girl leaves leaving the king alone again in his room where he is lost in his thoughts again.

Far in the northeast where the area looks very calm, all of that slowly disappears as the sky is slowly replaced with a dark sky where the clouds look black like storm clouds.

Behind the hills, one by one, figures began to appear walking in formation towards an unknown place where they were going. hundreds to thousands of monstrous figures began to be seen walking in formation until the figure of a large monster was also seen in the formation.

"Long live Your Majesty the Queen!"

"Long live Your Majesty the Queen!"

They shouted in tones that were terrifying to any human who listened.

The sound of their screams even echoes for tens to thousands of kilometers for those who are sensitive enough to hear it.

"Humans, we will destroy you" In the castle of darkness the figure of a woman sitting in the throne room stared at the window where she saw in the distance the light of the place where humans lived.

The woman rested her face on one hand while thinking something

'Destiny has come, the chosen hero has existed and this is the destiny of my life. I would end up at the tip of his sword, where I lived only to be killed without knowing the reason why.'

My predecessor had suffered that fate, and it's now my turn… Why is this world' she asked with a sad face where she should know her destiny. This woman's life is nothing more than victim material for a story that has been passed for hundreds to thousands of years

'Help me... whoever it is wherever it is, please... get me out of this cursed world'

Like an echo carried by the wind, that soft voice continues to travel through this world to a place where no one knows what it is.

An individual with black hair wearing a semi-military outfit consisting of a shirt and some sort of black coat covering his body, sat under a tree quietly until he heard a voice. A soft voice that tickled his ears again sounded and this time the voice carried by the echo was getting louder and clearer

'The Demon Queen has made a move, has she?'

Issei J. Hyoudo, that's the name of that individual who was relaxing leaning under a tree with his sword at his side, He heard the demon queen's call very clearly but he was able to stay conscious, even though he was still called a demon race but he was only half a demon

'But why did the demon queen say something about, asking for help?'

'What really happened?'

Issei who saw how things felt different started to stand up and walk the other way where he started looking for someone. It didn't take long for him to walk, he saw someone he was looking for. She is Koneko Toujo, the silver-haired girl he served for seven years.

"Ojou-sama"

"Oh Issei! Come here!" Koneko excitedly tugged Issei's sleeve to a fairly crowded food stand

"Excuse me uncle, can I buy one?"

"Of course, young lady"

When Koneko received the food that looked like something made of ice and showed it to Issei with great pleasure, Issei couldn't help but smile. "What is this, Ojou-sama?"

"You know what, it's called Ice Cream and I guarantee you it's going to be really good!"

Koneko started handing the cold food that she had bitten to Issei excitedly without even bothering about something quite embarrassing. Issei tried to restrain himself from wanting to say such embarrassing things after seeing Koneko's happy face

"Ojou-sama, are you sure, this can be called an indirect kiss if you force me to eat the food you have bitten" And Issei accidentally said that which suddenly made Koneko surprised by the reality.

"Whoa?!..." Koneko let out a very cute shriek in Issei's ear which made him have to do his best to restrain himself from wanting to say how cute Koneko was in his eyes.

Koneko then slightly turned her face away with a flushed face from realizing how embarrassing it was. Then Koneko started to peek slightly at Issei with her mouth slightly pursed when she saw Issei's face which seemed unaffected by anything.

-0-

Sometimes seeing how stupid Issei's brain is makes Koneko have to sigh heavily on how to break Issei's shell

'Fuuuuuuh... I can't give up!'

'I have to make him look at me no matter what!'

Koneko started to get excited again while thinking about how she could subdue Issei until something very inappropriate started flashing through her mind

"Koneko... I love you"

"Ffueh! E...eeehhh... Why would I...aahhh! That's embarrassing"

Koneko who imagined how Issei hugged her and said those sweet words in her ear made her have to restrain herself from wanting to scream out loud.

'B..But if I can get Issei to say that even in his mind… I'm so happy!'

Allright! I will make you fall in love with me Issei! Just you wait"

Koneko was getting excited about the plan she was about to carry out and to make things run smoothly the first thing she had to do was 'Time to change appearances!

And with that, Koneko ran here and there looking for something that might change her until she realized something quite fatal

"Uuuuu... I'm confused!"

Yep, Koneko doesn't have any talent at all when it comes to her appearance especially when it comes to clothes that suit her 'Issei used to always tell me that whatever I wore would look really pretty... But!'

'He didn't even say that as if he was really impressed by my appearance!'

I can only protest my shortcomings in this matter in front of a clothing store that seems to have various things I don't understand

"Uhm... Do you need help, miss?"

A voice came from behind me, when I turned around I saw a woman who seemed to be the same age as me

That girl looks simple but somehow I see her as if she is a very attractive woman

The woman looked at me worriedly and I who was still lamenting myself started to have a pretty good idea. "Uhmmm... Can you help me?"

"Eh? Of course"

"Good then!"

"E...eeehhh"

I forced her to go with me, and this time I didn't really listen to anything this girl had to say because of the many things I hoped to work out well tonight.

When I thought about how I would appear very attractive in front of Issei, I actually found myself in a much more annoying situation.

This woman without me realizing it turned out to be a very troublesome woman more than I imagined

And again, I have to be forced to go with what she says if I want everything I planned to work

-0-

lately I've had to be extra vigilant when my feelings about the demon army start to bother me.

I, Issei J. Hyoudo, an assassin from the dark guild who has been living a life in the shadows all this time currently I'm a Vassal of Koneko Toujo, a 16 year old girl whom I saved from a battle for power as the next ruler of the city where she grew up. Even so, I saved her life not because I wanted to, but because of the mission I would carry out while I was with Koneko until the end of my life.

For now I don't want to think about things that won't necessarily happen and stay focused on what is right now, walking and walking down the streets of this city until

"Is that Ojou-sama"

I saw Koneko in the distance walking with someone, I don't know what her name was so I chose to follow them both

As I continued to follow them until they arrived at a clothing store, I started to suspect whether she was planning a kidnapping of Ojou-sama or not, obviously I had my sword ready to cut her down.

For now I continue to watch the two of them from safe distance in order to not raise her attention.

Little did I know, most of the costumer in this store was looking at me with complicated face.

"Hehehe~"

"Please stop teasing me!"

"Nahh~ You already cute with this"

'What is going on over there?' I thought when I heard Ojou-sama's voice inside this clothes shop. I tried to slowly move closer to those who seemed to have changed clothes, my sword was ready for me to use however

'Just what the hell am I doing here?'

I started asking myself when I saw the two of them who seemed to be shopping for clothes, seeing Ojou-sama's different appearance made me smile

"I'd better leave them alone for a while"

Stepping away from there I then moved in another direction where along the way I only saw humans everywhere.

Despite being born as a demi-human, but I still have a dislike for the human race as a whole. An exception for Koneko Toujo and a few people I truly value as a human race but apart from them, all humans are pathetic in my eyes

In the midst of my blasphemy against the human race, I see various preparations it seems that the humans are preparing to do some kind of festival tonight.

"Hey Big Brother, wanna have some fun" A woman approaches me with a sensual tone, my mood is even more ruined when I see this pathetic woman who is trying to seduce me with her appearance

"Get away from me"

I said in a cold tone to her trying to get this woman away from me, instead of leaving immediately this woman was even more aggressive in teasing me. "Brother you are quite cool, how about you accompany me who is lonely tonight?"

Her tone seemed pampered, but I who was already disgusted with the human race were made even more disgusted by how this woman was behaving towards me.

Full of anger, I stared at her with a fierce glare full of hatred trying to give this woman a stern warning. "You better get away from me or I'll force you to leave"

"Ahh~ You're so strict, I really like you"

"..." ('Is this woman stupid or her brain too shallow?')

My mind is trying to hold back from hitting this woman forcing her to leave me, but seeing the hectic situation I can only hold back but without me knowing this woman actually pulled me in another direction forcibly as if she was dominating me

When we were in a place that seemed to be a nightclub for men thirsty for worldly lust, this woman led me inside where dim lights adorn the hall. Now I'm starting to question the professional attitude that has always been my pride, when we were in a closed room where there were only the two of us this woman started to stare at me.

'What does she really want?' I thought when I saw this woman who seemed to be planning something

"You don't look like a prostitute who works here"

"...Did you notice"

"Yes, it's very clear"

"..."

A moment of silence fell over both of us and this woman started to change her attitude by sitting in front of me with a very professional posture

"The eagle has fallen"

Those four sentences immediately explained everything about what I didn't want to hear from the guild I worked for as long as I lived

"Right now the birdcage has been destroyed, and swarms of bees are hunting for the remnants of what they were after. The Alpha code has been executed and the next order has been given by the temporary Substitute in this critical situation"

"Now, the various units are being spread out in various areas and the many remaining birdhouses have also carried out their orders. Issei J. Hyoudo, You are currently instructed to be extra vigilant about your surroundings and protect the package as best you can, we don't know what the queen bee might do next. So far there have been no movements that need extra attention but we have suspicions of rats among the organizational bodies, until the perpetrators are found, you are prohibited from making contact with any base, do you understand"

"Yes, I understood"

"Good, then you can carry out your duties as usual. I will return to the remaining cages to report what I found, one more thing."

"code name Noelle is reported missing, we didn't find her whereabouts until now we still don't know what she found or what she knows. The suspicion that he was the culprit is something we are currently investigating, that's all, good luck Issei J. Hyoudo"

That woman then left the moment she finished her speech, like a thin air she's disappear in a instant

Issei who is still sitting in this room, can only silently stare at the ceiling with mixed thoughts. He never thought that this would happen, he didn't know whether he should be sad or not, now he only knew that his mission was not finished and he had to stay calm

'Fuck'

Who can joke by saying that he can calm down when he finds out about this

Issei then stood up and walked out of this place

Along the way, he just stared at the bustling streets with his mind still unable to think clearly after all he had heard. As soon as he walked, he saw someone waving a hand in the distance.

"Ojou-sama?"

Seeing Koneko Toujo who was running towards him with a smile, Issei immediately changed his attitude trying not to look strange in front of the Ojou-sama.

"Issei~!"

That girl was his master whom he had served for these seven years, and she was now wearing clothes that were very different from the clothes she used to wear.

"Hey Issei! How do I look?" Koneko asked with a face full of hope as to what Issei would say next, Koneko who was normally wearing a typical noble outfit in all black was now wearing an outfit that was almost similar to the dress she usually wore but with the same pattern and the color of the dress was very bright, bright what Issei thought was how the different mixed colors of blue and white in her dress made Koneko's beautiful impression very clearly radiated to all who saw it.

Unprepared for the answer that Issei would give, he could only avert his face slightly trying to hide how clearly Issei wanted to say what was in his head. 'You look too pretty and cute...sorry for my impudence, but you really do look very...beautiful'

Little did Issei know, that Koneko who has the ability to read minds when hearing Issei's heart say that made her heart beat quite fast 'E...uh... s...so that's what you think... Issei'

Koneko immediately held her cheeks which felt warm at Issei's indirect compliment, the two fell into silence where neither of them spoke at all until something broke their silence.

And it was the sound of the trumpet signaling the festival was going on right now

Seeing that their surroundings were starting to feel crowded, Koneko immediately took the initiative by daring herself to hold onto Issei's sleeve, "W...Issei...would you like to accompany me in this festival?"

Koneko asked with a flushed face and eyes that seemed to shine a little like the shining stars of the night. Almost hypnotized by Koneko's unusual beauty, Issei was almost lost in his imagination and he quickly returned to his normal self trying not to look weird.

"Of course, Ojou-sama"

Hearing being called as Formal, Koneko immediately looked at Issei with a bit of annoyance "Hump! Don't call me that!"

"But"

"No buts!"

Seeing Koneko who really didn't like how Issei called her Formal, Issei couldn't help but smile while nodding. "All right, Koneko."

Hearing her name being softly called made Koneko's heart beat faster, in a smile Koneko pulled Issei into the crowd where many things were going on, her face felt very hot and her heart didn't stop beating very fast like she was fighting a war, Koneko couldn't help but smile happily when the thing she wished for came true tonight.

-0-

Demon Castle

"My queen"

In the throne room dimmed by the candlelight, a man with the appearance of a demi-human and a demon entered the room respectfully to the Queen

The demon knelt respectfully at the Queen to give a welcome and tried to get the queen to listen to what he had to say.

"Third Commander, Johardi. What do you want from me?"

Said the Demon Queen who was sitting on the throne chair with a very gripping aura characteristic of the ruler of all demons.

"My Queen, I would like to report on the economic condition of our kingdom"

"Say it"

"Of course, my queen, at this time as you ordered we are focusing on the process of rebuilding the irrigation system in the south and maximizing the potential of the agricultural sector. Predictably, we can at least fix all the crashes and get everything updated before summer ends. Unfortunately we fear that our cash reserves will not be able to save us from the deficit that will occur in the near future, due to the impact of the previous war the Demon King fought to human several centuries ago. For now, we are still trying to prevent the economic collapse that could jeopardize our kingdom in the near future."

"Good job, I'm so proud of you"

"It is an honor for me to be praised by you, my queen."

"So? Is that all you wanted to say?"

The demon started to raise his face and looked at the demon queen with a little worry, it could be seen when she saw the sweat on the demon's face.

"Forgive me my Queen's, but we have bad news."

"Say it"

"It's about the chosen hero" This time the demon's worries became even clearer when he mentioned the hero

"We received information that the chosen heroes sooner or later will attack us, and if that happens I'm afraid the casualties from our side will be much more severe and worse... I'm afraid that our race will be completely extinct in this world."

"..."

"My Queen, I beg of you. Save us! The previous Demon King almost wiped out our race and this time if this happens many innocent families will fall victim to it."

"I don't care what it is you want, but I beg of you! Please save us"

The demon pleaded with so much hope that he even lowered his head on this floor, seeing how frustrated the demon was. The queen then stood up and walked towards the demon.

When the half demon felt a touch on his shoulder, he immediately raised his face and instantly he saw the demon queen's face for the first time, The demon queen who used to sit on the throne with a dark aura shrouding her even her face which was also covered with that dark aura, now seemed completely gone. What he saw was the face of a person who looked like an ordinary human but he could feel an extraordinary power making him even more certain that this was the demon queen.

"You're so kind to a demon who cares about other demons"

"M...My Queen"

The Demon Queen looked very sad, her incredibly beautiful face was looking at him with eyes filled with concern for their race

"I swear by the throne I have and this power. I will never let that happen, even if it means I have to sacrifice my life"

In his eyes, he saw the Demon Queen as someone completely different. The queen looks really…. Amazing

'My queen...'

-0-