Chapter 691: Good Luck
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 691: Good Luck
"Ariel Bugard?"
Basaroka regained his composure after a brief moment of panic, though his expression remained grave. "I have heard your name before."
"Oh?"
Ariel tilted her smooth chin up slightly, arching an eyebrow. "It seems I’ve carved out quite a reputation for myself during my time in the Abyss, if even a dignified Demon General has—"
"I heard you defeated that Muen Campbell."
Basaroka warily scanned the human girl before him. Her cultivation realm was barely any different from the human coward he had just effortlessly crushed, yet the pressure she exerted was worlds apart!
"Not long ago, that Muen Campbell defeated the Demon General Chihe Nilo. I was wondering how there could possibly be a human of the same generation capable of besting him; I assumed it was merely exaggerated propaganda from the Empire... but it seems I was the one who was ill-informed. I didn't expect the Empire to harbor a figure like you."
"..."
Hearing that detestable name even in a place like the Abyss made Ariel’s lips twitch into a strained, mirthless smile. "Heh, there’s plenty you’re ill-informed about."
"Indeed."
Basaroka glanced at Ariel’s chest, a flash of astonishment crossing his eyes as his attitude grew increasingly solemn. "It seems I won't be able to complete my mission so easily today."
"You still think you can complete your mission? You demons really aren't the brightest, are you?"
Ariel shook her head mockingly, but her expression immediately softened as she looked down at the girl in her arms.
"Are you alright?"
"Ah... Ah!"
Still trapped in a state of shock and confusion, Roya snapped back to reality. Only then did she realize she was being held in the arms of a prince who had descended from the heavens... no, she was being held by the Hero.
Usually mature and composed, she now displayed the flustered panic of a little girl.
"I-I'm sorry."
Because the princess-carry was far too embarrassing, Roya instinctively covered her face with both hands. However, she couldn't help but peek through the gaps between her fingers.
Perhaps it was the halo of light that had snatched her from the brink of death, or perhaps it was the roaring—yet not uncomfortably hot—flames fluttering behind the Hero like a magnificent cape, but in that moment, Roya felt that the woman's profile, which usually wouldn't have caught her eye, was incredibly captivating.
And... and then...
Roya’s gaze drifted downward, and she couldn't help but feel another small shock.
The Hero’s chest... it was so majestic!
Roya herself had a curvaceous figure, yet she was still stunned by the Hero’s grand proportions.
Moreover, despite being so well-endowed, her waist was so slender it looked as though it might snap with ease. This combination of abundance and grace was something countless girls would envy.
How did the Hero achieve such a perfect body?
"I can't exactly fight like this."
Ariel puffed out her chest slightly. Following the techniques recorded in the book How to Charm Ten Thousand Girls: Pick-up Techniques Even a Monkey Can Master, she flicked a few strands of her bangs and gave a roguish smirk.
"So, my dear Princess, would you mind stepping back for a moment? Allow me to dispose of this filthy, stinking demon trash for you."
"O-Of course."
Blushing furiously, Roya struggled to her feet. She even forgot to cast a Levitation Spell; if Ariel hadn't supported her, she might have fallen straight down.
The strange sensation of Ariel’s small hand steadying her made Roya’s heart race even faster for some reason.
Roya stole another glance at Ariel.
Strange.
So strange.
What is this warmth flowing through my heart?
What is making my heart beat so fast right now?
I’m clearly not...
Roya didn't know what this emotion was. She could clearly perceive Temier’s feelings, yet at this moment, she found her own emotions impossible to decipher.
...
"Are you finished talking?"
While Roya was moving away, Basaroka had acted with surprising gallantry, making no attempt to attack her.
"Wasting time on the battlefield is not the mark of an excellent warrior."
"Are you really a demon?"
Ariel was somewhat surprised by Basaroka’s elegant demeanor. "I’ve taken down my fair share of demons, but those guys only know how to kill. The only time they use their brains is to think up some cowardly scheme."
"The Demon Race is not composed solely of boors. Just as your human race is not composed solely of the weak, is it not?" Basaroka smiled thinly, as if his earlier panic had been nothing more than Ariel’s imagination.
No, it hadn't been panic. After slaughtering several third and fourth-tier human adventurers like they were mere chicks, anyone would feel a sudden jolt of discomfort when a "battle-chick" suddenly appeared and swatted away their attack.
But that discomfort was brief and fleeting.
"I see. Your 'gentlemanly' nature doesn't come from politeness, but from the fact that you simply don't care about the weak."
Ariel’s eyes flickered, as if she were seeing right through Basaroka. "That isn't elegance; it’s just coldness etched into your very bones."
"Haha, perhaps. Spend enough time in a hellhole like the Abyss and anyone will become cold. However..."
The initial shock and panic had completely vanished. Cruelty and bloodlust finally began to seep from the depths of Basaroka’s crimson pupils.
"Only battle can make our cold blood boil again, can it not?"
"Is that so?"
Ariel asked tonelessly, tightening her grip on her greatsword.
"This act of yours—elegant normally, but fanatical in battle—reminds me of that guy."
"Someone you care about?"
"No. Someone I hate."
Flames surged, casting a serious glow over Ariel’s face.
"I hate him immensely!"
"Haha!"
Basaroka laughed loudly. "Then treat me as that person and give me a proper fight!"
A deep, eerie light rose, clashing with the brilliant flames.
A terrifying pressure rapidly surged from Basaroka’s body.
He might have been startled by Ariel’s strength, but he wouldn't lose his fighting spirit because of it.
He was a Demon General, tempered in the harsh environment of the Abyss.
He was also a genuine Fifth-Tier expert. In terms of cultivation realm, he was likely a step above Chihe Nilo.
How could someone like him lose to a mere human woman?
Even if she was well-endowed... it was impossible!
...
A few minutes later.
Supported by her flames, Ariel landed unsteadily on the ground, which had been scorched into red earth.
Watching Basaroka turn to ash and return to the land he had destroyed, Ariel let out a long sigh of relief and whispered to herself:
"As expected of a Demon General. I almost bit the dust there."
Fortunately, through her previous training in the Abyss and her battles with various demons and magical beasts, her strength had progressed significantly. She had only just managed to defeat Basaroka.
"If I had run into a higher-ranked Demon General this time, I would have been in real trouble."
Ariel crossed her arms... then shifted them slightly lower, feeling a bit awkward. Catching a glimpse of the beautiful girl rushing toward her with a worried expression, she couldn't help but look up at the sky at a forty-five-degree angle. Her lips curled into a smug, satisfied smirk.
"As I thought... as long as I’m away from that annoying guy, my luck really does take a turn for the better..."