The Small-Town Girl Becomes the Demon King (EP 24): Racing Heart! Burning Blade!

At the front of the castle gates, a guard blocks Merle and her companions.

He was a man with thick and strong arms, carrying a huge sword on his back. As he saw them approaching him, he raised his guard and put his hand on the hilt.

“There’s an old man crazy enough to fight us,” Merle said.

“Be careful, that ‘old man’ is quite strong,” Levantine said.

“Stronger than me?” Merle asked, grinning.

So far, she’s only dealt with people who couldn’t back up their words. She was excited to see if she could finally have a true heated battle.

“Hah… I shouldn’t have bothered.”

Merle leaped up and swung her blade down at the man!

The man saw her, pulled out his sword, and swung wide!

“Give me a little fun, old man!”

“This is as far as you go!” he cried back.

Their blades clash. Sparks shower to the ground as the shockwaves rock the surroundings.

He’s strong. The man’s sword is pushing back at Merle than blocking her strike, even if she had struck from overhead and in the air. As soon as she lands, the two start to cross swords, swing, block, and thrust.

Their blades cross over and over again, sparks flying each time. The edges always stop before they can reach their bodies, they disengage and chase after each other.

“Give it up, old man!” Merle yells.

“You’re the one who’ll give up, lady!” the man yells back. “I heard that you were the Demon King, so I thought you’d be a man!”

“Are you disappointed I’m a woman?”

“Not at all! You’re more than I expected!” the man says before he lets out a battle cry.

The huge sword bursts into flames. As they clash, his strikes are much heavier than before.

“He’s also a magic sword user,” Levantine said.

“Heh, looks like there are lots of magic swords!” Merle said.

“My sword has the flame element,” the man says. “It’s a weapon without equal, a blade that will incinerate all it touches!”

“Guh-reat–!” Merle gasped, her eyes shining as she looks at the powerful enemy before.

This is it. She had been waiting for this.

A strong opponent. A collision of an unstoppable force and an immovable object. A connection that only strong people can understand, attempting to defeat your opponent whilst respecting their power.

What else could Merle do but enjoy the challenge that she had never experienced with the heroes before?

“Demon King!” the man gasped. “Your power is crazy–!”

“It’s a shame I’m going to have to kill you!” Merle cried.

“Hah! Say that when you’ve killed me! Roar, Ifrit!”

The man swung his blade against the ground, the earth shattered as a pillar of fire erupted. It wasn’t that wide but the flames billow and reach high into the sky, you can feel the heat that could incinerate anything.

Merle laughs. “Excellent! This is it! This what I’ve been waiting for!”

“What are you saying, Demon King, just die already! Ifrit!”

He struck the ground again. As Merle avoided the pillars of flame rushing upwards and towards her, she truly feels sorry she’ll have to kill him.

Stronger than any hero. More of a warrior than any hero.

After dodging his attack, Merle stared at the ferocious face of the determined man.

Darkened skin, probably because he was so devoted to training under the sun. A large scar on his cheek, probably earned in some battle. His sword hand is thick and muscular. Although his figure is quite heavily built, he moves lightly and swiftly.

Merle was ecstatic. Her heart was racing with joy even if her opponent was bearing down on her. “This is a true warrior! This is a true man!”

“I’m not pleased to hear your praise, Demon King!”

Their blades clash. The two don’t budge an inch.

Their blades and their faces are right in front of each other as sparks scatter.

The man’s face is tense, sweaty, his white teeth bared and gritted.

In contrast, Merle’s face has a warm smile, happy for all that has happened.

With a roar, the man gives all his strength, the flames on his blade spread to his body, he overpowers Merle and knocks her away.

Merle goes flying, crashing into a wall before collapsing on the ground.

“Your Majesty!?” Succubus shouted in disbelief as she rushed to the fallen Merle and listened to her chest.

Her heart’s beating. She should be fine.

“Without any breasts, it’s easy to hear my heartbeat,” Merle says as she stands up with a grin.

“Your Majesty!” Succubus cries.

“Don’t worry, I’ve got this,” Merle said. “To be honest, I held back because the battles so far were so mediocre but some people are very strong.”

She holds up Levantine. A black aura erupts from the magic sword, signaling she was done playing. A violent wind rushes out of the blade, Merle’s heart beats faster.

It was the same excitement and strength when she pulled Levantine out for the first time.

“… Power… Blood. I will become the Demon King.”

Fast as a speeding bullet, Merle kicked off the ground and was instantly on her opponent, thrusting deep into his flank.

“So fast…!” he gasps.

He swings his blade down on Merle, but she’s moving so fast she’s already gone, all he cuts is her afterimage. He notices and swings his sword around, trying to hit Merle.

But she’s no longer there.

Noticing a shadow overhead, he looks up and sees Merle, the sun behind her back, her sword coming down on him.

“This is it…!” Merle cried.

Prepared for the end, the man closed his eyes.