NOVEL WEB Chapter 99 - Side Story: Maryla
Side Story: Maryla
Honestly! This is why I hate the Red Oni!
“Jumaaa! Hey! Stop!!”
“It’s no use, Nika. Juma’s in that state, he can’t hear us!”
Having taken on my phoenix form after what feels like forever, I was carrying Nika-san and Kei-san to the northern mountains. I have no combat ability, so I’m actually quite scared to be here…! Of course, I don’t die easily. If I’m about to die, I just burn up and then revive! But I’m still scared. Because I’m weakened after reviving, I’m defenseless, you know? But now wasn’t the time for that!
“Ugh, I guess I have to release my power too! Kei, restrain him as soon as I pin him down!”
“Got it, leave it to me.”
The Red Oni is huge in his beast form. I’m pretty big too, you know! But I don’t rampage like a savage!
He’s not completely lost his mind, so he won’t attack us, but in that state, he doesn’t see anything but his target, until he’s taken it down. So even if we tell him to stop and go back to the guild, even if we explain everything, he won’t listen. He’s such a pain!
Nika-san, who transformed into a lion blazing like the sun, dug his claws into the ground. He was getting ready to charge! Ah, what a beautiful sight. Unlike the Red Oni, Nika-san, burning so brightly, truly resembles the sun, so noble. It makes me proud, as another being clothed in the same fire!
And so, Nika-san charged. Aiming for the moment when the Red Oni had just finished off a dragon, the final blow. He’d felt that sense of accomplishment, so there was an opening.
Nika-san bit into the nape of his neck. It wouldn’t even have been enough to leave a scratch, but I was hoping they’d just bite his head off, so I wasn’t worried. The Red Oni, on the other hand, braced himself for a new enemy. But he quickly realized it was Nika-san and relaxed slightly.
“Okay. Nika, move back.”
Kei-san then immediately cast their binding magic. Countless white snakes emerged from Kei-san’s slender arms. The flower patterns shimmering on them were so lovely. It’s such a shame, with those womanizing tendencies, they would have been perfect otherwise. Kei-san is so, so, shameless!
“Gaaah!?”
The Red Oni, restrained by the white snakes, let out this sound and hurriedly transformed back into his human form. But the snakes adapted to the change and tightened their hold, so there was no escape. We’d thwarted his plans!
“Hey, wait, Nika! Kei!? Why are we… mmph!”
Just as things were about to get out of hand, one of Kei-san’s larger white snakes then silenced him, covering his mouth. He struggled to break free, but the snakes wouldn’t budge. Incredible!
“Even if you struggle, you won’t be able to get out. The strength of the binding depends on the strength of your magical power. Juma, you’re not strong enough to break free.”
Kei-san’s small, so he doesn’t look that strong, but he’s one of the strongest in the guild when it comes to magic power! The Red Oni’s a musclehead, so he has no chance of beating Kei-san in a magic battle!
“Alright, thanks Kei.”
“Good work, Nika. And Juma, I’m sorry about this, but we need to get out of here immediately. You’ll get a proper explanation once we’re back at the guild, so just stay put for a while.”
“Simply put, Juma, you’re annoying!”
Nika-san was always so blunt. But it’s fine! That’s all you need for a simple-minded musclehead like him!
“Mmm…”
The Red Oni, realizing that it was pointless to struggle, suddenly calmed down. Maybe he’d figured he’d get an explanation later. He’s also an airheaded idiot, after all!
“…Mmmgh.”
And before we knew it, the red oni was asleep. He’s too carefree!
And his sleeping face… I have to admit, it’s, it’s, ha-handsome! No! It’s not like I like him or anything! That was just… a youthful indiscretion!
When I first saw him, I was young and naive, and I fell in love with him at first sight. I shouldn’t have confessed to him, saying, “Please go out with me!” I was so happy when he immediately said, “Ooh, sure!” I was such an idiot! For about a week, I thought we were lovers… but he hadn’t been thinking about that at all! And when he said, “So, what are we doing, when?,” I was so embarrassed, so angry, so disillusioned, my emotions were a jumbled mess. I slapped him! But he didn’t even flinch!
I’ll never forget the humiliation of having my maiden heart shattered! I’m a phoenix, you know, I won’t forget even if I’m reborn!
And yet, frustratingly, I like his face! I just want to rip it off and put it on display!
“…Maryla-chan? We should get going, are you okay?”
“You’re staring at Juma with a scary look on your face, Maryla, what’s wrong?”
Oh, this is bad. When I remember that humiliation, I can’t help it. I took a deep breath and then spoke,
“I’m fine! Let’s go! But… can I ask for one thing?”
They both readily agreed. These senpais are so kind! It’s just that Kei-san’s a bit of a womanizer, and Nika-san’s a bit too unrestrained. But that’s part of their charm!
“I don’t want to carry this Red Oni! Tie him up and hang him!”
When I said this, clenching my fists, they both smiled wryly. I know, I know! But remembering that humiliation, I’m not sure I’d be able to stay sane, it’s dangerous!
“Can’t be helped. You were in love with Juma, weren’t you, Maryla-chan?”
“The complexities of a maiden’s heart, huh? Well, it can’t be helped.”
“Th-That’s not true!”
Uu, for some reason, Kei-san could see right through me. But I have to deny it!
“Ah, sorry, I mean, it’s Owen now, right?”
“I-It’s not like I like that womanizer, Owen…!”
W-Well, Owen’s not as bad as the Red Oni, but I do like wild, mischievous types, I have to admit! But it’s just his looks! Why is Kei-san so observant when it comes to these things!?
“Kei… don’t tease her too much.”
“Kukuku. Sorry, you’re just so cute when you react like that.”
“Cu-Cute… !?”
“Hey, Kei… Oh, I guess you’re not aware of it. This is troublesome…”
This wasn’t the time to be chatting! I told them this and then transformed into my phoenix form. I was still a bit sulky, but Kei-san had agreed to my request and was now tying up the Red Oni with a white snake. I’ll forgive him for teasing me! Because I’m an adult, a fine lady who’ll set a good example for Meg-chan!