Suzuki is Cute Even In A Savage World

"...Ah?"

Gharaga's narrow pupils widened as he realized that Suzuki was holding the baby, Clarice, whom he was about to eat. Excella was surprised as well.

(H--He made it in time...!? From that distance!! And he got Clarice back unharmed!!)

Excella was ashamed of herself for wanting to "punch him in the face" for even a moment.

The hero glanced at the headless Allen, lying on the ground far away from him, and showed a sad expression. After he handed Clarice to Kate, his expression drastically changed as he glared at Gharaga.

"Why did you kill Allen...?"

"That filth grabbed me out of nowhere! That's why I punished him."

"Allen was my slave!"

"What if he was?"

The hero grabbed Gharaga by the chest. Excella had never seen the hero so furious.

"If you're mad at me, take it out on ME!"

"Get off me, you fucking brat. I hate being touched by humansss..."

Gharaga raised one hand in the air, just as he did when he killed Allen.

"Lord Hero!!"

Excella shouted involuntarily. However, Gharaga clicked his tongue and slowly lowered his raised arm.

"I'd like to kill you right now, but if I kill you, I'll probably end up worse than in jail."

Gharaga's golden pupils sparkled suspiciously.

"A Military Duel."

When Excella saw Gharaga grinning, she gasped for breath. Perhaps this is what Gharaga was after. If he killed the hero, who was favored by Nephira, in the worst-case scenario, he could be executed in return.

However, if it was due to an accident during a military duel, he would not be charged with anything. Gharaga was trying to legally kill the hero. That was why he killed Allen and had the hero form a grudge against himself.

(He may look like a psycho, but he's smart! If this continues, the hero will be forced to play into Gharaga's ploy!)

However, ignoring Excella's concern, Suzuki kept his eyes fixed on Gharaga and nodded his head.

"I understand. I accept the duel."

"Ke-ke-ke. Tomorrow at noon. At the training grounds."

Gharaga laughed in satisfaction and extended his long-clawed index finger to the hero's face.

"Ow--..."

Suddenly, the hero's face contorted. A trickle of blood dripped from his cheek.

"I'm looking forward to it."

Gharaga licked the claw covered in the hero's blood with his slender tongue and walked away.

◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆

Walking from Suzuki's villa to a deserted back alley of the town, Gharaga placed his hand against a brick wall. He was a little out of breath from excitement. 

(That lowly human dares...!)

The baby he was about to eat easily got taken from him without notice. But more importantly. When he was about to hurt Suzuki, Gharaga realized the true power of the hero. That sensation------it was similar to smashing a piece of pottery that you've been carefully polishing every single morning and evening for years onto the floor and shattering it. It was unbearable for normal nerves.

And yet, Gharaga had hurt Suzuki. He could hurt him. That's right! I can do what no other demon cannot do!

Recalling the red blood from Suzuki that he had licked earlier. An indescribable sweetness spread throughout his mouth.

"Ke-ke...... Ke-ke-ke-ke-ke-ke-ke-ke!!"

Gharaga laughed loudly. When was the last time it happened? When was the last time he tasted something that he could truly appreciate from the bottom of his heart? Twenty years ago... No....

(It's been 30 years.)

One day 30 years ago, Gharaga began to feel a constant salty taste in his mouth that made him want to throw up. Even after rinsing his mouth, he was left with the salty taste, as if his oral cavity had been dumped with seawater. 

The symptoms, which did not improve no matter what he did, only eased when he ate a human. The reason Gharaga joined the Thunder-Lance Charge, a special attack unit under the direct command of the Demon Lord's Army, was because he would have more opportunities to eat humans at the front lines.

When he heard that virgins' meat was delicious, he snatched it up and ate it. When he heard rumors that babies were delicious, he devoured human babies.

However, a few moments after eating, Gharaga's mouth would soon be filled with the salty taste that made him want to throw up again.

...However.

Gharaga breathed heavily in the back alley. The sweetness of Suzuki's blood still lingered in his mouth. It was only a few drops, yet it lasted for so long.

(If, I kill that bastard, and eat his flesh...)

Gharaga was convinced. His sense of taste would return to normal. No, not just that. If he killed Suzuki, he would reach a new height as a fiend.