Chapter 246 Donashuuk
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”…Ruins?”
While my unit and I checked the rise in Monstrous Beasts (monster beasts) in this area—which we thought had pushed the bandit gang to strike the village—we found strange ruins.
Thick vines hid a huge stone structure. The stone looked as if a machine had cut it clean. It was far too neat to be natural. I still did not know much about this world’s tech, but could the local people really make this? I doubted it.
A record I saw at the place of Goddess Nocturnal crossed my mind. Ten to one, these were things left by the first people who came to this world under the wisdom of Ian Russell.
The entrance opened like a dark mouth, as if to call us inside.
”This dark view is… creepy,” I said, my voice low.
A bad feeling grew in my chest. Still, when we checked with reports from other units who had just cleared the Monstrous Beasts nearby, my own gut told me this place was the cause.
Damn it. I did not want to go in, but we had no choice.
The hall was narrow, so a large force could not pass. There might be traps. I could not take many people.
To keep Keldan safe, I left Velma of the Guard Corps, Captain Oregano of the guard squad, Lyla of the first scout team, Elsie of the Keldan Rangers, and Madeleine, the magic unit captain.
Admiral Leticia of the Coast Guard was also in Keldan, and Reilia, the fleet commander, was at sea with the supply ships.
Marubeni and Neinei were guarding the supply line with Cartier, the supply officer. Alicia of the bread unit, Sheila of the food team…
Leslie, the medic officer, the doctor Madeleine, and head nurse Sakumika were also there, but they were not fighters.
The scouts of Evri and the archers of Margaret were tired from many missions and from the bandit fight. Emilia, the Snow Elf, had used her mana to fill the soul orb (mana orb) for the mana charger.
The Lurutie artillery team could fight, but their job was support from the back. They could not come.
My usual guards, Knight Yuvus and Ymir, were on a break. I told them, “A small bandit group is fine,” and sent them on a honeymoon trip with Nanari, the maid he married. Maybe that was not wise.
So I brought former mercenary captain Yahaha, the silver-haired knight Yuri, and Yoluminette, who refused to stay behind, along with Alize from the air knight squad.
We also had Whitney of the cavalry, Sera of the archers, and Snow, the Snow Elf with strong ice magic. I told Snow to watch the young vice-captains and help cover the gap left by Yoluminette and Alize.
We stepped into the strange ruins.
With our lamps lit, we walked through the dim halls. There were no traps, but strange pictures on the walls caught our eyes.
The paint was fading, but we could still understand the story.
”From the land of the dead, a hell messenger comes. The hell gate opens, linking to the underworld…”
”And through this gate, the Dark King and his army come to bring ruin to the world.” That seemed to be the meaning.
After a short walk, the path opened into a wide room.
It looked like an old temple or a grave. Many stone coffins were built into the walls like a cliff, and I could see signs that people once gave their lives here.
In the center of the cliff stood a great stone gate. Across from it was a deep drop into darkness. I heard water far below and strong wind rushed now and then. The sounds made it feel like the room wanted to pull us into the dark.
”This gives me chills desuwa…” Yoluminette said, and I told her to call the others. I was about to say, “Let’s check this place more,” when—
”My lord!! Behind you!!” Yoluminette and Alize cried.
Their faces went pale. I saw a shadow on the floor grow, and I turned.
”I smell weak ones. I did not think people would come so fast. A shame. I wanted time to gain strength and build an army before my lord rises again. No matter. You will join my army as bones. None of you will leave alive.”
Something held the cliff’s edge. A hand. I saw sharp black nails on a huge blue hand pull a body up.
A demon with blue skin and horns rose from the cliff. His strong body showed thick veins, and his eyes shone red like blood. I, Ayumu, thought at once:
(This is bad. We cannot win. And that face is crazy scary!)
”L-My lord! We must run!” Alize said.
I knew. I knew, but fear hit me so hard my legs would not move.
”Run? Do not speak such things,” the demon said.
At the same time, the large stone gate in the cliff shone with red and black light.
No—this was the worst. A huge number of Monstrous Beasts poured out!
Damn it! So this thing was the reason for the rise of Monstrous Beasts!
”Listen, dying ones. As a gift before death, I will tell you. My name is Donashuuk, an Upper Demonfolk, servant of the dark lord.”
”My lord! Please wake up! My lord!!” the others cried. “Move! We must run! Damn it! Leave him! Run back!”
(This is an Upper Demonfolk! The pressure from him is too strong!)
As I stared at his evil aura, Donashuuk laughed, “Nufahahaha♪ Do you really think you can escape from us!?” Red-black beams shot from his eyes.
The path we came from blew apart with a loud boom. That shock helped me think again.
(The way back is gone… Did they leave me? It was right. They should not risk all for one.)
The way back was gone, but maybe there was another exit!
I pulled Lord Keldan’s sword from its sheath and ran at the Monstrous Beasts. I cut a few down, dodged their claws, and turned left into the other corridor.
I rushed down the other passage and reached another wide room.
”Hah… hah… Is this some kind of altar?” I said between breaths.
It looked like a small temple. On a raised mound of earth stood a rusty sword stuck into the top, and near it lay a lonely skull.
A quiet, holy air mixed with sadness filled the place. I felt pulled toward the sword. The moment I took the hilt, the rust on the blade faded away, and a bright silver shine spread across the steel.
’Child of Viness, sly and alone… lost Hero!
Take my holy sword (holy sword) and end evil!’
A woman’s voice rang inside my head. What? Was I hearing things because I feared the Monstrous Beasts (monster beasts) behind me?
I looked around. No one.
”Hey! A person here? That’s rare! Yo, brother♪ How’s life?”
This time it was a man’s cheerful voice. Clear as day.
Where was it coming from?
”Hey, brother! Down here! Down! At your feet♪”
My feet? Only the skull was—huh!?
”Come on♪ I was human once, you know? Stop trying to ignore reality, brother!” the skull said.
”Waaahhhh!!! The skull talked!!” I jumped in shock.
”Hey, hey… as you see, I’m only a head. I can’t do much… You’re loud, brother,” the skull said.
”You talk a lot for a skull! And someone told me to use a holy sword to end evil, so maybe I should start by smashing you!” I snapped.
”Whoa!! Stop! Don’t be crazy! I may be a skull now, but I’m a good guy! I was once a human, and I was a follower of a goddess! I guarded that holy sword when I was a goddess’s apostle! So calm down, brother!”
My eyes blinked fast. “For real…?”
”Yeah! I’ll teach you how to use it. First, try beating those Monstrous Beasts that are catching up, brother!”
I looked back and saw a flood of Monstrous Beasts rushing in.
I ran up the altar, and a four-legged beast leapt at me. I screamed and struck without thinking.
The beast burst into bright fire and turned to dust. Gone.
(A-Amazing…) I stared at the holy sword in shock. But I had no time to enjoy it.
I dodged attacks and cut down more, but more kept coming! It felt like a nightmare. I was sure I would die.
”Waaahhh!!! It’s over! I’m going to die here!” I cried.
The skull said, without pity, “Wow, you’re a man? You sound weak.”
Even now, I still heard the insult clearly. I grit my teeth. (I really will smash him…)
’Now, lost Hero! Call my true name and release the holy power!’ the woman’s voice said in my mind again.
The skull added, “Good! You beat enough of them, so you should feel your bond with goddess Merilia getting stronger, brother! Say this: *With my prayer, I free the holy light. Let my bright anger burn the dark!* Say it strong, brother!!”
What? It sounded cool but so embarrassing! Still… fine!
”*With my prayer, I free the holy light. Let my bright anger burn the dark!*” I shouted.
The sword shone with holy light. The beasts around me burned in bright flames and turned to dust with painful cries.
With one use, the circle of beasts around me was gone. The ones left stared at me, scared.
Of course, I could not help it—I was Ayumu after all.
At once, I got full of myself. “Oh? What’s wrong now♪ You came at me in a big group, but you can only hit weak ones, huh♪ You chickens♪” I taunted them.
The skull sighed. “…Are you really a goddess’s apostle or a Hero? You wear noble clothes yet act like a small fry…” he muttered. So rude!
His words stung, and I felt small inside.
Then heavy steps came from the way I entered. Donashuuk, the Upper Demonfolk, walked into the room, each step shaking the floor.
”What are you fools doing? Bring me his soul at once. Give me his bones as an offering!!” he roared. The beasts obeyed and rushed me again.
”Eeeek!! Maybe I can’t do this after all!!!” I screamed.
’Calm yourself, lost Hero! You hold my holy sword in your hand! With it, evil cannot win. Now, end the great evil!’ the woman’s voice said.
Right! I had the strong holy sword now. A touch of the blade was enough to end a beast. I did not need to fear.
Her voice helped me focus. I kept cutting them down one by one.
Lucky for me, the beasts only came from near the big stone gate in the first room. No new ones came here.
Donashuuk, maybe thinking a single human was no threat, still did not join the fight.
At last, I ended the Monstrous Beasts (monster beasts). Donashuuk snorted. “Hmph. Useless things. Even if they belong to demon kind, they were low beasts. Too heavy a task for them. Fine! I will show you the gap that can never be closed in this world, human! Feel joy, for you will die by my hand! You will die in the dark, taken by an Upper Demonfolk!”
His face, already scary, grew even more cruel. Fear shook me, and I moved first.
I swung with all I had—and cut off his hand.
But the blue demon did not even flinch.
”What is this? Is that all?” he said with a calm grin.
He flexed the stump of his arm.
Before my eyes, bone and muscle formed again, and flesh grew back. His hand was whole.
”No waaayyy!!! I’ve never seen an arm grow back outside of anime or manga!” I screamed.
My small bit of courage died. I grabbed the holy sword and also the small strange flute on the altar—yes, I checked another exit while fighting—and ran into a side passage.
As I ran, I heard behind me, “Hey! Brother! Leaving me behind? That’s cold!”
(That can’t be! He seemed harmless but creepy. I left him!)
”Hey! Brother! Don’t ignore me!!”
I looked back. The skull floated after me with a pale blue glow.
Worse—Donashuuk burst through the stone wall behind it, his red eyes glowing, and ran at full speed.
”Waaahh! I’m scared!!” I cried and ran with tears in my eyes.
Light! I saw daylight ahead.
I ignored the flying skull and ran into the sun outside. I made it… but what now!?
”Honorary Count!” “Your Excellency!? Are you safe!?”
”Hey! His Excellency is out!”
I heard familiar voices. Yoluminette and Alize were there, along with Whitney of the cavalry, Sera of the archers, and Snow of the magic unit.
”You all, listen! I’ll say this once! Get ready! After me, a flying skull will come out—ignore it! After the skull, focus all fire on the Upper Demonfolk!” I shouted as I ran.
Everyone’s faces turned serious as they prepared.
”Waaahhh! Brother! He’s coming!!” the skull cried as it shot out.
”Not that one! The big one after it!” I yelled.
”Sir! Lurutie’s artillery is ready to support! Shall we call for fire?!”
”Of course! Call for mortars too!”
Even without high tech, I had Lurutie’s unit build spigot mortars—simple tubes with a stud at the base—strong enough to blast hard. I asked for HE rounds, the air-burst type.
The bomb mix was still unstable and not fully safe, so we avoided using them before. But after seeing his regen ability, we had no choice.
”Fuhahaha♪ What is it? Have you finally understood the law of the weak—that you cannot win against me? Have you chosen to die quietly?” Donashuuk said.
He really thought we were nothing.
He walked in with full pride, showing his evil form.
”Fire!!!” I shouted.
We attacked before he could act. Mortars and the soul orb magic rods fired at once.
The blasts hit him with heat and force before he could say a word.
The attack kept going until I yelled, “Stop fire! Stop!!”
In stories, if someone says, “Did we get him…?” the enemy often stands up again. But this time, reality was different.
Pieces of blue flesh and red-black meat lay everywhere. He was silent.
”Yessss!!! We did it!! He was an Upper Demonfolk, but maybe we didn’t need to fear so much!” I cheered.
We relaxed. The infantry cheered with me.
But then a red-black light shone in the air, and a voice spoke.
”You weak humans… no matter. Now is not the time for me to waste power on poor, low creatures like you. Until the day I take your souls, try not to die by some other hand. I will not forget your face… lost Hero.”
The light closed and faded. The spot looked normal again.
It felt like a daydream, but that voice was Donashuuk. He was alive.
He had a goal, and he let us go only because it did not matter yet. When I understood that…
”Noooo!! He lived! He said he remembers my face! He’ll come for revenge!!” I cried with tears.
Yes, I made a big scene again.
Later, the arm I cut off was taken to Yugan’s lab as rare research material.
As for the side story: the Viscount and Baron who attacked with their forces were, as expected, also stealing the imperial tax money. The Security Division took their whole families away. Funny how they ignore the poor but run when money is involved.
(The Security Division, like an interior ministry for Yugan, is an elite guard that protects the imperial family. Town guards handle daily safety, but the Security Division watches nobles for crimes, stops rebellions and coups, and controls dangerous people and ideas.)
Notes:
• Ian Russell – A foreign-born human mercenary who first appears at Aran Fortress under Imperial contract. Calm and pragmatic, he fights for pay, avoids politics, and never meets Kanata.
• Elsie – Short-haired, pink-haired prodigy (Ch.218). Like Lyla, rose from overlooked youth to officer school after the bandit campaign. Absorbed military training like a sponge, mastering both command theory and combat. Ayumu singled her out as future elite commander, valuing her raw talent and composure despite her age.
• Lyla – Lively, sharp officer candidate (Ch.218). Along with Elsie, destroyed a bandit stronghold under Whitney and Evri’s guidance. Excelled in tactics, logistics, and paperwork at officer school. Younger than Ayumu but showed battlefield grit; chosen to command a small elite unit near the imperial capital, embodying his merit-based promotion system.
• Madeleine – Seasoned magic soldier from Rostic (Ch.218), doubling as army doctor. Her combat casting and healing merged frontline offense with medical support, making her indispensable in Ayumu’s hybrid units. She exemplified Keldan’s shift toward multi-role specialists.
• Oregano – Half-rabbit Guard Captain; extorts and threatens but holds Keldan’s order. Ashamed of beastkin blood, yet Ayumu’s mercy secures her loyalty. Brutal, pragmatic, feared, she anchors his rule as enforcer bound by gratitude.
• Velma – Human, tall and rugged with cropped ash-brown hair | Captain of Keldan city guard | First in Ch.162 | Elite swordmaster and squad tactician | Family unknown | Loyal to Ayumu, trusted to maintain order | Meant to stop brawls but arrived drunk, slurring threats at Myucel | Unique note: famed for discipline yet caused chaos by missing her cue completely
• Leticia – One of Ayumu’s closer retainers (introduced earlier). Known for clerical steadiness and personal loyalty, she handled administrative weight when Ayumu was buried in reforms. More bureaucratic than martial, she personifies his reliance on competent women overlooked by traditional noble systems.
• Reilia – Healer within Ayumu’s network. While not a field commander, she ensured the wounded and traumatized received recovery care, especially civilians or rescued captives. Her presence underscored Ayumu’s insistence that governance extended beyond soldiers to the vulnerable under his protection.
• Alicia – Member of Keldan’s newly founded ration unit (Ch.218). Works beside Sheila, baking bread and preparing stews to keep infantry supplied. Not a frontline fighter but vital to Ayumu’s reforms: by ensuring troops ate fresh, stable meals, she strengthened morale and endurance.
• Cartier – Nelrearian merchant prodigy, striking with soft pink hair and sharp sapphire eyes | First in Ch.144 | Genius at bookkeeping and logistics, granddaughter of a major merchant guild founder | Powerful family ties grant her vast influence | Initially scornful of Ayumu and treats him with cold disdain | Oversees arms and supply distribution while mocking his manners | Unique note: brilliant yet venom-tongued, she insults him as vulgar while quietly accelerating Keldan’s military growth
• Marubeni – Knight trainee who completed his course by Ch.218. Folded into Ayumu’s officer pipeline, he represents the first generation of properly schooled Keldan knights. Unlike raw mercenaries, his discipline marked the transition from improvised defense to structured domain military.
• Neinei – Earlier household/support figure (appears in Ayumu’s retinue). Not frontline, but trusted with domestic or clerical roles. Ayumu often leaned on her for continuity when chaos threatened his manor, symbolizing the quiet backbone that kept governance running.
• Sheila – Partner to Alicia in the ration unit (Ch.218), hooded to keep hair from food while baking bread and stew for infantry. Symbol of Ayumu’s push to professionalize supply; her role secured consistent nutrition for troops, vital for discipline and campaigns.
• Leslie – Combat medic trainer (Ch.218). Tasked with creating field medics outside the battlefield proper. His work built Keldan’s first medical corps, raising survival rates and turning Ayumu’s forces from expendable levies into a modern, cared-for army.
• Sakumika – Overseer of field nurses (Ch.218). Managed organization, triage, and recovery, ensuring injured soldiers were stabilized.
• Emilia – Silver-haired, violet-eyed swordswoman–mage, trained in both blade and spell. Introduced with Margaret (Ch.218) during Ayumu’s recruitment of new talent to rebuild Keldan’s forces.
• Evri – Recon squad junior from Keldan, sharp and fiery; first in Ch.163; skilled scout and quick with blade; family unknown; serves under Yoluminette, often competes with her; bold yet respectful; unique note: turned a welcome party into chaos by dueling Yoluminette over a cream puff.
• Margaret – Once a bow-hunter from the maritime kingdom of Rostic, homeland of Empress Sarendra. Recruited after Keldan’s bandit wars (Ch.218), when Ayumu sought overlooked but capable women.
• Snow – Half–Snow Elf (Ch.218), white-haired and blue-eyed with a teardrop mark. Deadly with blade and frost magic, she joined Ayumu’s elite units, rising from a marginal mountain background to valued fighter.
• Lurutie – (appears earlier, Ch.175). Trusted domestic support Ayumu sent orders to when sheltering rescued girls from the Caesar ship. Responsible for preparing rooms, food, and comfort. Represents Ayumu’s reliance on civilian staff for humane recovery and stability outside the battlefield.
• Nanari – Birene girl who openly loved the young knight Yuvus, but was forced into Ayumu’s bed against her will (Ch.217). Though traumatized, Ayumu later permitted her marriage to Yuvus to ease unrest and escape responsibility, making her both a victim of his abuse and a pawn in his political compromise.
• Ymir – One of Ayumu’s close circle (appears in earlier arcs). A magic-gifted support rather than a frontline fighter, tied to clerical and mystical duties. Unlike Yahaha’s brutality or Oregano’s force, Ymir serves as Ayumu’s arcane and advisory anchor, bridging governance with supernatural knowledge. Her loyalty reflects Ayumu’s willingness to trust overlooked talents outside noble bloodlines.
• Yuvus – Human from Domain Army, handsome and disciplined; first in Ch.163; skilled knight swordsman; no family mentioned; rose quickly and was made Ayumu’s young knight; clashes with Half-Elves, especially Myucel, but loyal to Ayumu; cold pride hides strict loyalty.
• Alize – Nelrearian knight from Keldan, dark bronze skin with wavy chestnut hair | First in Ch.163 | Agile swordfighter and quick thinker | Family unknown | Rival toward Whitney despite working alongside her | Fiercely fought her over cream puffs at the welcome party | Unique note: normally composed but loses all restraint when sweets are involved
• Yahaha – Ex-mercenary turned bodyguard (Ch.175). Cold, lethal in combat; when Caesar sailors attacked, she cut them down with mercenary precision. Ayumu relies on her as frontline protector, a contrast to greener knights like Yuvus. Her calm brutality anchors his personal defense.
• Yoluminette – Elandric warrior from Keldan, tall and sharp-eyed; first in Ch.146; master swordswoman using Ten-Man Slash; no family known; fought and slew bandits before Ayumu arrived, then joined his forces; stoic yet prideful, often escalates fights over petty things like cream puffs. takes “senpai” pride very seriously
• Yuri – Appears earlier as one of Ayumu’s circle (clerical/retinue role). Unlike fighters, he handles softer duties in support and household management.
• Sera – Leader of Keldan’s bowguard squad, calm and reliable yet fiercely competitive; first in Ch.163; best friend of Whitney; known for her sharp aim and discipline; usually the peacemaker but has a secret hot-blooded streak; unique note: once escalated a petty cream puff dispute by declaring her claim with drawn bow in front of everyone.
• Whitney – Elandric knight from Keldan, sharp-featured with silver hair and pale eyes | First in Ch.163 | Skilled duelist and loyal swordswoman | Family unknown | Close friend of Sera and often seen at her side | Competed fiercely over cream puffs with Alize during the welcome party | Unique note: calm and poised yet instantly turns competitive over desserts
• Donashuuk – An Upper Demonfolk with blue skin, horns, red eyes, and regeneration, serving a dark lord; appears in the ruins and aims to kill intruders and raise an army.
• Viness – Goddess in the Holy Kingdom of Alyurein.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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