DKWSVF Chapter 04

Episode 4

***

Yes.

This was a major incident.

Just a day after arriving in the North, a shocking truth was revealed.

That day, Airi witnessed a dark, hazy mist lingering around her ever-cheerful maid.

'That must be a emon—no, a demonic energy!'

As a hero, Airi tried to purify her. But...

"I'm sorry for suddenly grabbing your hand, attendant."

"H-Huh? Why are you holding my muscular hand?! In the North, suddenly grabbing someone's hand usually means you intend to kill them...!"

"N-No, that's not it! D-Do you feel anything from my hand?"

"...Soft? Cute? Moist? A hand that seems completely out of place in the North?"

'What? The hazy mist isn't disappearing!'

Airi knew, with unwavering certainty, that she was a 'purifier.

She thought purification would be easy once she arrived in the North.

But even after touching the maid, nothing happened—no purification at all. Worse, the eerie mist wasn't visible to everyone—only a select few could see it.

At this point, she had no idea what to do.

To make matters worse...

"E-Excuse me, when will His Grace, the Grand Duke, be returning?"

"Well... It seems he won't be back for at least a week. He instructed us to provide you with every convenience, young miss Airi. Please make yourself comfortable and rest well."

This was a huge problem.

'So after six nights, I’ll be kicked out? Without even meeting Grand Duke Ortezo? Without even trying to purify anything?'

Unbelievable.

'Is that how the world ends?!'

Airi clenched her fist tightly.

She couldn’t just stand still.

'Think carefully. What would Regent, the Hero of Justice, do in this situation?'

Regent, the Hero of Justice—an anime Airi used to watch religiously as a child.

Since Airi could recall every line Regent spoke without a single mistake, the conclusion was simple.

There was an iconic scene where Regent brilliantly put a wicked villain in his place.

"Regent, I’ve lost... How did you manage to defeat me...?"

"Because I am different from villains like you."

"What makes you so different? What are you, that you could defeat me?!"

"A true hero never fights alone."

At that moment, five of Regent’s friends stepped forward behind him.

And above them, a magnificent sunset painted the sky.

'What an incredible scene!'

[Children, don’t forget! A true hero stays close to their friends and helps them in times of need.]

'That’s right. I can’t do this alone!'

A hero always has fellow heroes by their side.

With determination, Airi clenched her fist and recalled the future she had seen.

'Here lies the one who will make me even stronger!'

Someone no one else could have—that friend.

At this moment, Airi had no idea.

She had no idea just how terrifying the creature she was about to awaken truly was!

Chapter 3: A Hero Needs Friends

Late at night.

The adults were fast asleep.

But the valiant child, Airi, clutched her growling stomach and slipped out of bed.

'The first step of a great hero begins now!'

In that moment, the background music from Regent, the Hero of Justice started playing in Airi’s head.

Dun-dun, dududun.

With such grand music playing in her mind, Airi took a determined step forward.

However, the moment she opened the door—

"Oh, it's the round little one! No, wait, the young miss."

The Northern attendants were blocking the hallway.

"I have something to tell you."

"Ah! Is that so? What is it? Do you need me to play with my strong muscles?"

"Or perhaps you need a late-night snack? We happen to have fermented sardine pie! It’s great for building muscle."

...I really don’t want to eat that. Fermented sardine pie...

Before Airi could react, five professional maids surrounded her completely.

Looking up at the adults, who were several times her size, Airi felt a little intimidated.

'But I can't back down! I need to summon my magical beast friend!'

Fortunately, Airi had already figured out how to handle the maids.

She quickly clasped her hands together in a formal gesture.

Then, bowing slightly, Airi spoke politely.

"I have a request."

"A r-request...? Not a command...?"

"Yes! A request!"

Inside, Airi smirked slyly.

The attendants here were all incredibly muscular and tall.

Unlike the maids from the South, they were rough and unfamiliar with formal etiquette.

But one thing was certain—they were honest with their emotions.

Whenever Airi acted politely, they became flustered.

As if they had only ever seen evil children stealing sweets from others.

That was their weakness!

With confidence, Airi declared,

"I would like to take a walk in the garden!"

"...Right now?"

"Yes! I know you're very busy, and I apologize. But I just really want to take a stroll."

The maids froze, lost in thought.

'Have we... ever heard the word apologize before?'

Airi, as if delivering the final blow, carefully added,

"...Is that not allowed?"

Sparkling eyes.

A gentle tone.

A single phrase that sought their opinion.

The maids crumbled instantly.

***

‘Just as planned. Heh.’

Recalling a famous line from Regent, the Hero of Justice, Airi covered her mouth and let out a quiet chuckle.

'The tree hiding my magical beast friend is probably well hidden.'

But Airi had spent years playing among plants with her flower-loving grandmother.

After finally arriving at the garden—

Airi blinked in surprise.

“There… There’s only one tree?”

“Yes, it’s the only tree still alive in the North. The others perished because of the demonic energy…”

Unbelievable.

She had found the tree immediately.

Now, only one challenge remained!

Getting rid of the maids, who were staring at Airi with bright, curious eyes, asking, "Round little one, where are you going?" as they followed closely behind.

'As expected of a hero, I have a great idea!'

Standing before the tree, Airi grandly declared,

“Ah, but… I really want to play tag. Would that be okay?”

“Huh? Tag?”

Airi nodded firmly.

But would the maids really play tag with her?

Would they see Airi as an annoying child?

Still, the only way Airi could think of to send them away was through tag.

Just as worry crept in, one of the maids’ eyes grew misty.

‘W-Why are they tearing up?!’

“Oh… No child has ever asked to play tag with us before, Round Little One.”

“They usually just yell Catch me if you can! while cursing and kicking us until we have no choice but to chase them.”