I was Reincarnated as the Youngest Child of a Villainous Noble Family Who Controls the Kingdom from Behind the Scenes

"Shemna-san!"

"Lady Letitia, please leave this to me."

Shiuri-san is casting a healing spell on Shemna-san, who has fallen and is unable to move. A soft, gentle light envelops Shemna-san, and soon her fingertips twitch.

"Shemna-nee-san! A-are you awake?!"

"That's really great!"

The two of them are crying while holding Shemna-san's hand. She still has a fever and feels hot, but they don't seem to mind.

"Shemna-san, please don't move yet."

"Y-you... you saved me..."

"Healing isn't my specialty, so this is all I can do. I'll perform some basic first aid with tools, so please rest."

"...Did I lose?"

Shemna-san mutters while lying down, staring at the sky. A single tear streams down her face.

"Damn it... No wonder they've given up on me..."

"Shemna-nee-san, we're here for you. You were so cool, nee-san!"

"That's right! Besides, if it weren't for Shemna-nee-san, we'd still be rotten!"

Starting with those two, it seems that Shemna-san's followers hold her in high regard. I feel like there's something I need to learn from this. I crouch beside Shemna-san and bow my head.

"Shemna-san, you were right. I don't have the capacity to earn the admiration of those two like you do."

"Hah, what's this? The composure of the winner?"

"Strength alone can be gained through training. But what about charisma? It can't be earned without recognizing and respecting others, and building bonds with them."

"What are you trying to say...?"

I take Shemna-san's hand.

"I understand your strength. You must have saved many people, starting with those two."

"Hah... Don't exaggerate..."

"Look at them closely. If it weren't for you, they wouldn't be here."

"Rol, Hanna..."

The two called Rol and Hanna are tearing up in front of Shemna-san. To attract people who can shed tears for one person—that too is a testament to Shemna-san's charisma.

"I've always kept my guard up so I wouldn't be underestimated... But with my magic failing, I can't protect these guys from the other factions..."

"Shemna-san..."

"Those who only act tough around the weak are running rampant, and I couldn't do anything. I'm the only one who can protect these guys who were being bullied... That's why I sought power."

"Is that the demon you made a contract with?"

Shemna-san silently nods and tries to sit up. The two try to support her, but Shemna-san moves her arm.

"Gyah...!"

"Huh...?"

Shemna-san's arm hits Hanna-san, injuring her. Hanna-san falls to the ground, blood flowing from her mouth.

"Ugh... It hurts, it hurts..."

"I didn't even hit her that hard... Why...?"

Shiuri-san and Shemna-san's three other guards rush over. The four of them exchange glances and nod.

"Shiuri-dono, this is..."

"Without a doubt, it's the influence of the demon. Shemna-san, what is the name of the demon you contracted with?"

As Shiuri-san asks Shemna-san, smoke begins to rise. A green-skinned, overweight demon appears. The demon, wearing a turban and exposing his upper body, laughs gleefully.

"Muhah! You're gaining power quite steadily, aren't you? Muhahaha! I'm pleased!"

"Who are you?!"

"I am the demon Muhha! One of the Thirty-Two Pillars of the Demon Realm!"

"The Thirty-Two Pillars of the Demon Realm...!"

The demon, who calls himself Muhha, floats in the air, sitting cross-legged. The Thirty-Two Pillars of the Demon Realm. In studying history, there have been many opportunities to learn about their names. It's said that behind every significant historical figure, their presence was always there.

"Y-you... You contracted with me, so behave..."

"Muhah! Didn't I give you the power you wanted? The more you move, the more your power increases!"

"Huh...? The ability to increase the power of skills and magic, right?!"

"Muhahaha! Not wrong! But the effect is permanent! Your power is no longer within your control! Muhah!"

Shemna-san is stunned. In other words, even the slightest movement from Shemna-san could cause her to lose control of her strength, injuring anyone she touches. Because of this, Rol-san and Hanna-san can't even touch Shemna-san, whom they adore, to show their concern. Shiuri-san and the other guards take a defensive stance in front of the demon Muhha.

"Demon Muhha! It's said that you contracted with Dauman, the champion of the ancient Magic Ball Tournament...!"

"I've read in books that Dauman, in exchange for gaining immense power, couldn't interact with anyone and eventually died alone in the mountains."

"I never thought I'd see a demon with my own eyes!"

"We can't just leave this be! Shiuri-dono, we have no choice but to defeat him! Lady Letitia, please inform the academy of this!"

The guards are top-tier adventurers. If we leave it to them, there should be no problem.

"Shemna-san, let's leave this to them..."

As I turn to Shemna-san, one of the adventurers flies past me. It seems the adventurer was taken down in a single blow.

"Are you okay?!"

"Ugh... R-run... That guy is dangerous..."

Demon Muhha flexes his green muscles, cracking his knuckles.

"Muhahaha! What a bunch of weaklings! Are humans really this fragile? Muhah!"

"...Original Hertz Devil."

"Nguh! Muhaaa! W-what is this... this unpleasant sound?!"

As Shiuri-san makes a gesture as if playing an invisible harp, Demon Muhha contorts in pain. Blood spurts from his eyes and nose, and another adventurer slashes at him while he's immobilized.

"Nugh!"

"Tch! He's tough!"

Even the blade of the master swordsman only cuts through a thin layer of skin.

"You insolent fool! How dare you make me listen to this...!"

"Original Hertz emits a frequency that only specific races can hear. For a demon like you, this sound is extremely effective."

"Ughhhh!"

This is the true power of Shiuri, the sound magic user. If she were serious, she could deal effective damage to any race. However, I doubt that alone will be enough to finish him off. The fact that Demon Muhha is still moving is proof of that.

"You wretch...! Don't underestimate this Demon Muhha! Haaaaa...!"

Demon Muhha's muscles swell even more. In response, Shiuri-san prepares to get serious, and I step forward to stand beside her.

"Lady Letitia?"

"I will fight alongside you. That demon is a formidable opponent."

"But...!"

"I am royalty. Please allow me to fulfill my role as your hope."

As I declare this, Shiuri-san says nothing. I stand before Demon Muhha and ready myself.

"Muhahhh! A little girl dares to challenge this Demon Muhha...! I'll teach you your place!"

Demon Muhha glares at us, his muscles bulging even more. To lead people means to protect their lives. So who should stand at the forefront?

"I am Letitia, princess of the Sealand Kingdom. I was born to protect this country from demons like you."

If there's any way to overcome this situation, it's with that technique. Alfis-sama, I will now demonstrate the fruits of my training!