After Work, I Brought Home a Devilish Beauty - Chapter 58

Chiba seemed fascinated by the lively festival atmosphere.

Although she didn’t say much, the excitement on her face was impossible to hide.

Her bright red eyes darted from one attraction to another as she unconsciously quickened her pace, walking ahead of the group.

When she noticed a street performer breathing fire in the distance, she froze in amazement.

Her eyes widened.

“Lucifer, look!”

“The human world is incredible!”

“How did they do that?”

It had been a long time since Chiba had looked this genuinely happy.

Watching her excitement, Lucifer quietly nodded, a faint smile of relief appearing on his face.

“…Mm.”

Unfortunately…

Someone who didn’t know when to keep quiet suddenly interrupted.

“Well…”

“It’s actually pretty simple.”

“You just keep some fuel in your mouth, spit it out, and ignite it.”

“It’s not that amazing.”

Chiba immediately turned around and glared at Yuichi.

Crossing her arms, she huffed,

“Hmph.”

“You make it sound easy.”

“Then why don’t you try it?”

“…Uh…”

Although Yuichi knew how the trick worked…

There was no way he’d actually try it.

All he could do was smile awkwardly and keep his mouth shut.

Under the glow of countless neon lights…

The shopping street was packed with people.

This was the busiest time of the festival.

Merchants eagerly took advantage of the crowds, selling all kinds of food, toys, and festival souvenirs that rarely appeared during the rest of the year.

Everywhere was bustling with excitement.

Yet…

Not far away…

On the rooftop of a nearby building…

Two figures quietly overlooked the festival below.

One was a young girl.

The other was a middle-aged man with a thick beard.

The girl held a glowing white holy sword.

The man rested a massive black battle axe beside him.

In a country where carrying weapons in public was strictly forbidden…

Their appearance should have attracted immediate attention.

But to them…

The laws of this world meant nothing.

They weren’t people from this world to begin with.

They were heroes.

Alice…

And Jebecald.

This operation had been carefully planned.

Large festivals naturally lowered everyone’s guard.

The demons would never expect to be attacked in front of so many witnesses.

More importantly…

Miguel had personally promised to clean up everything afterward.

There would be no consequences.

“The demons aren’t doing anything suspicious…”

“…Mm.”

“We’ll keep watching.”

“We attack only when the opportunity presents itself.”

The two heroes silently observed Chiba and the others below.

Unfortunately…

The demons never left the crowded streets.

As long as innocent people surrounded them…

Alice couldn’t make a move.

Heroes existed to protect humanity.

They could never endanger civilians.

About thirty minutes later…

An announcement echoed through the shopping street.

The fireworks display was about to begin.

A middle-aged staff member approached the launcher and prepared to light the fuse.

But…

Nothing happened.

He scratched his head awkwardly.

Apparently…

Something had gone wrong.

Just then…

Chiba stepped forward.

The sudden movement immediately caught Alice’s attention.

What’s she doing…?

Chiba exchanged a few words with the staff member.

The man nodded and stepped aside.

Then…

Chiba walked up to the fireworks launcher.

She slowly raised her hand.

The next instant…

She quietly cast a spell.

Alice’s eyes widened.

Magic…

She’s using magic!

Excitement surged through her.

Has she finally shown her true colors?

Was everything before this just an act?

Was she waiting for the perfect opportunity to attack everyone here?

Every doubt she’d held until now suddenly seemed to fit together.

Without warning Jebecald…

Alice leaped from the rooftop.

Holy sword in hand…

She charged straight toward Chiba.

At the same instant…

Lucifer reacted.

Without hesitation, he stepped in front of Chiba.

The holy sword pierced his chest.

Blood splattered across the ground.

Alice froze.

But not because Lucifer had protected Chiba.

Her eyes had been drawn elsewhere.

At that very moment…

The silent fireworks launcher suddenly crackled to life.

Sparks burst from the fuse.

Then—

Boom!

A brilliant firework shot high into the night sky.

The first explosion painted the heavens with dazzling light.

Yet…

Instead of cheers…

Silence fell.

The atmosphere instantly froze.

The surrounding spectators stared in horror.

Alice still held her bloodstained holy sword.

Blood continued to drip from Lucifer’s wound.

Meanwhile…

Chiba, who had been smiling proudly after successfully lighting the fireworks with magic for the first time…

Slowly turned around.

She looked at Alice.

Then at Lucifer.

Her expression froze.

“…Why?”

“Why would you do this…?”

“…Why won’t you leave us alone…?”

Her voice trembled.

The roaring fireworks drowned out her sobs.

But that no longer mattered.

Alice looked around in panic.

Everyone nearby was staring at her with fear and suspicion.

“N-No…”

“Listen to me!”

“They’re demons!”

“They were going to hurt all of you!”

She desperately tried to explain.

But her flustered, stammering words carried no conviction.

To the ordinary people around her…

There were no demons.

There was only a frightened girl with a sword…

And a man bleeding from a stab wound.

From their perspective…

The truth seemed obvious.

Alice was the attacker.

Lucifer was the victim.

Whispers spread rapidly through the crowd.

Some people backed away in fear.

Others screamed and fled.

Within moments…

The entire festival descended into chaos.