My Status as an Assassin Obviously Exceeds the Hero's (暗殺者である俺のステータスが勇者よりも明らかに強いのだが)

What frightening power.

Master!

Master...

The master's mana use has exceeded acceptable parameters.

Automatically engaging Shadow Magic.

Recovery mode.

Healing will require the use of emergency mana stores.

Healing complete.

Disengaging Shadow Magic.

Are you with us now, Master?

Where am I?

Crow's house.

I carried you here while you were down.

How long was I out? Five or six hours?

No, a day and five hours.

What?

It's not surprising.

Your mana was completely depleted. You could have easily lost your life.

However...

What?

Your Shadow Magic activated on its own and replenished your mana.

It defies all logic, Master.

Just what is that magic?

I don't know either. We can worry about that later.

We have bigger things on our plate now.

You're up?

Thanks for letting me use a bed. You can add it to my bill.

Where do you think you're going?

To rescue Amelia.

Do you know where she is?

It's been over a day.

They could be on their way to the demon realm. Maybe even made it there.

Then I'll just charge into the demon realm.

Calm down.

I am calm!

I'm just in a hurry.

How can you say you're calm when you're off to fight a demon without your weapons?

Can't take what I don't have.

They're right here.

Being blind to your surroundings demonstrates your lack of composure.

You split it into two?

Short swords are easier for assassins to use.

I covered the materials and labor costs. Pay me back as soon as you can.

You have my thanks.

You can also borrow this.

A ring?

They say the second or third hero crafted it.

"I'll lead you everywhere"?

So you really can read it.

It's written in a language from my world.

So, what does it do?

What you just said.

That ring helps its wearer find what they seek.

That's where the Labyrinth of Brute lies.

It wouldn't point that way if they were in transit to the demon realm.

I don't know why,

but it appears they're still in the labyrinth.

That's all I need to know.

Thank you.

Let's go, Night!

Master, I am your familiar.

Wherever you go, I shall follow.

Just don't do anything reckless like that again.

I know. I don't want a repeat of yesterday either.

If I die, you'll die with me.

That's part of it, but... Never mind. Just don't die.

Gotcha.

Good, good. This is going swimmingly.

We demons have a spell to control monsters.

I've always wondered what using it on beastfolk, elves, or humans would do.

You helped me solve that mystery.

I can't control you,

but I now know that I can immobilize elves.

An excellent result!

Why?

Wow, you can talk?

Perfect. Now I won't be bored.

Why are we in the labyrinth?

You see, demons need to be second-grade or better to cast teleportation circles.

I'm third-grade, so I guess that makes him my boss?

Anyway, I came to this labyrinth using such magic, but I need a circle to get back.

So basically, I'm currently waiting for my boss to arrive.

And when will that be?

Beats me.

You're trying to extract information even when immobilized, huh?

Go ahead. Ask me anything.

I'll reveal all I know.

That assassin might show up while we're talking.

You can tell him everything, but he'll never beat me.

Oh, don't worry. You're not dying.

I need to present you to the Demon Lord alive and well.

Or else I'll be in big trouble.

The ray's still pointing underground.

There's no doubt Lady Amelia is in the labyrinth, and deep down at that.

Let's hurry, Night.

Understood.

Please wait!

You are Sir Akira Oda, aren't you?

I come to you with a request.

I know you.

Please, take me with you into the labyrinth where Princess Amelia is—

How do you know where Amelia is?

Answer carefully. Your life depends on it.

I used my Scent Tracker skill.

Lady Amelia's scent disappeared at the labyrinth entrance.

I also used it to find out that you were heading down this street to the labyrinth.

Scent Tracker is a skill that commonly manifests in beastfolk.

She isn't saying anything outlandish.

State your reasons.

I'm Lia Lagoon, first princess of the beastfolk nation Uruk.

I received information that the Demon Lord is targeting Princess Amelia.

I was going to warn you.

Why didn't you come to me at once?

I f-figured you wouldn't believe me without solid proof,

so I kept investigating...

until all hell broke loose last night.

I don't want to use this, but I guess I have to.

Doesn't look like you're lying.

What does your Spirit Barrier skill do?

Huh? How do you know about that?

Answer me.

R-Regular barriers can only be placed in fixed locations,

but Spirit Barrier can also be used on moving objects.

Can you apply it to people too?

Y-Yes! I believe I'll prove useful to you.

We can't let him have it...

The Demon Lord is after Princess Amelia for her Resurrection Magic!

Hurry up and get on.

Master, are you sure we can trust her?

Her skill will help keep Amelia safe.

She can make herself useful, like she said.

Please take me!

The Demon Lord wants my Resurrection Magic?

Don't you demons have practically infinite lifespans?

And you don't die easily. You're already the most powerful race.

I don't understand it myself.

Sure, it's a rare magic, but it doesn't work if the subject's been dead too long.

What's more, once you cast it, you can't use it again for several days.

It's not even that useful.

You know a lot about it.

Well, one thing's for sure.

You won't be resurrecting the assassin when he dies by my hand shortly.

After all,

you took a lethal blow and used your magic on yourself earlier.

Man, I can't wait.

How will you weep when the assassin dies?

That reminds me...

Your little sister bawled her eyes out back then!

I expect an even better show from you.

This isn't the first time we've met, is it?

Huh?

What were you doing back in Retice?

My family was abducted by a dark slime.

I was looking for them.

A dark slime, you say?

Yes. I've been adopted by the royal family,

but before that, I lived in a small, remote village.

One day, a dark slime showed up in town.

This monster that normally goes down with one blow

consumed my father, mother, little brother, and all the villagers whole.

Somebody modified that slime and released it into the wild!

I bet it's the same thing.

The royal family offered to adopt me, seeking my skills as a protector.

Soon, I became a princess