Little Devil Princess My Sisters Are Seriously Trying to Marry Me When They Grow Up

Having successfully convinced the guards, Ryushi set out for an adventure, a first-time experience for Arissa and Esmeralda. Their excitement, bathed in sunlight filtering through trees, was a sight of innocent beauty, softening even the stoic faces of their guardians. However, Ryushi had little time for leisure.

“Have you been here before? You seem quite familiar with this place.” 

“Ah! Uh, well… actually, Amon brought me here a few times on some daredevil trips. Oh, but please, keep this a secret from Mother. She worries too much.”

“Understood.”

Ryushi internally sighed in relief as he led them to a large lake. It was Esmeralda who first realized what they were about to do.

“We’re going to catch fish here!”

“Yes, we are. I’ve eaten them before; they taste pretty good.”

“Yay! Thank you, Ryushi Onii-sama! I love fish~!”

“Calm down, Esmeralda, and wipe that drool off your face! Remember, we’re daughters of the Demon Queen Astaroth. We must behave accordingly!”

Esmeralda’s drooling over the prospect of eating was far from a dignified image, causing Arissa to reprimand her. A once-clean handkerchief was quickly ruined by Esmeralda’s drool, likely never to be used again.

“But how will we catch fish without any tools?”

“Just watch and learn,” Ryushi said confidently.

Dipping his right arm deep into the lake, Ryushi surprised everyone, including the guards. They looked on, puzzled by his unusual method.

“Can you really catch fish just by putting your arm in the water, Ryushi Onii-sama?”

“Just watch. Here we go—got one!”

With a triumphant pull, Ryushi caught a large fish, astonishing everyone. He had used his arm as bait. The fish was big enough to swallow his arm whole.

“Are you okay, Ryushi Onii-sama?”

“I’m fine. It’s a type of fish that swallows its food whole, no teeth. But we should get it off my arm.”

As Ryushi prepared the fish, Esmeralda’s drooling intensified, while Arissa, overwhelmed by her sister’s lack of decorum, stayed silent. The guards were of no help, panicking at the chaotic scene.

“Alright, it’s ready. Here you go, Esmeralda.”

“Thank you so much, Ryushi Onii-sama!”

“Eating that much that fast… Amazing.”

Ryushi admired Esmeralda’s voracious appetite, yet wished she’d exhibit more ladylike behavior.

“That was delicious!”

“Glad to hear that.”

“But I could still eat more. But I won’t, so we don’t run out of fish, and so Mother won’t scold us.”

The amount she ate was astonishing, yet she seemed unsatisfied. The guards trembled at her insatiable appetite.

“She ate that huge fish in under a minute… What an appetite.”

“Terrifying… but also kind of impressive!”

Ryushi couldn’t agree more.

“Let’s head back. If we’re late, Mother will either cry or get angry.”

“Indeed, Ryushi Onii-sama.”

“Arissa, Esmeralda, and everyone, please keep today’s events a secret.”

All nodded deeply as if to say “Of course.”

“Still, Esmeralda really…”

Ryushi was about to say how much she eats but stopped himself. A chill ran down his spine, a bad premonition. He slowly turned around. In his view, five humans appeared. If they were mere humans, it wouldn’t be a problem. Ryushi didn’t like needless killing. Perhaps because his heart was human, or maybe memories of his previous life influenced him. Anyway, if humans had wandered in, he intended to gently urge them to leave, as he always did.

The men, well-armed and equipped, didn’t seem like they had lost their way. Their purpose seemed obvious – the subjugation of Astaroth, adventurers lured by wealth and fame. Ryushi’s gaze at them was sharp and cold as he quietly drew his spirit steel sword, Argus.

“Lord Ryushi, step back!” “Leave this to us!”

His demon guards leaped forward to confront the adventurers. In the tense, hostile atmosphere, one of the adventurers stepped forward. He wore gleaming golden armor and carried a fine sword at his waist. The difference in equipment quality indicated he was the leader. He was also remarkably handsome.

“We are the ‘Twilight Brigade’, and I, Genos, am the leader. We’ve come to subdue the demon lady Astaroth!”

“Foolish humans!” “We’ll tear you to pieces!”

“Stop!”

Ryushi’s attempt to intervene was in vain. Two demons rushed at Genos. The outcome was all too swift. With a slash and a thud, the demons lay on the ground, blood pooling around them. This man was undoubtedly strong. Ryushi, alarmed, shielded Arissa and Esmeralda behind him.

“Demons are evil incarnate. We cannot let even one escape!”

“…Can’t be helped.”

“Ry, Ryushi Onii-chan…?”

Gently patting the worried Arissa and Esmeralda’s heads, Ryushi faced his enemy, his sword pointed at Genos.

“Genos-san, was it? I’m Ryushi, the son of the demon lord you’re trying to subdue.”

“What? That demon lord had a child…!?”

“Surprised? Well, that’s irrelevant. Genos-san, if you insist on passing through here, would you accept a duel with me?”

This was Ryushi’s decision – a duel. One-on-one combat might turn this dire situation around. He knew he probably couldn’t win against this man, but still, Ryushi proposed the duel. Genos wasn’t foolish enough to fall for such an obvious trap, as there was no benefit to him in this duel.

“So, you can’t duel? Well, that’s fine by me. To think I, the demon lord’s son, appear so strong that you need to gang up on me. I guess that’s a win for me.”

“You mock me!”

“Wow, you really can’t handle provocation!”

Frustrated by Ryushi’s words, Genos was momentarily stunned, but Ryushi quickly returned a sly smile.

“Getting upset over the truth is pretty lame. So, what will it be? Will you do it or not?”

“Fine! Let’s do this!”

Ryushi grinned, his mouth forming a crescent. The demon guards vehemently objected to the duel.

“No, Lord Ryushi!” “Just listen to me for now.”

After a brief hesitation, the demons reluctantly fell silent at Ryushi’s whisper.

“I’ll buy us some time. Honestly, he’s stronger than all of us here. To ensure everyone survives, take Arissa and the others back to the castle and report this. I’ll hold him off until then.”

“But…!”

Their reluctance was understandable. For guards to be protected by their charge was unprecedented and shameful. Despite this, Ryushi adamantly shook his head.

“Even if you all attacked together, they outnumber us. Arissa and Esmeralda have no combat experience, and they’d be caught even if we fled. This is the only way – when I strike, please do as I ask.”

With no more words needed, Ryushi turned on his heel.

“Sorry to keep you waiting.”

Ryushi readied his sword. Slightly delayed, Genos drew his, longer than Ryushi’s at about 84 cm. Its ridge was irregular, but the blade’s smooth curve was beautiful, reminiscent of an Ashitachi sword. Ryushi gripped his sword firmly.

“Ready?”

“Come. I’ll make you regret mocking me!”

Ryushi closed in on the raging Genos.