The well-Balanced Yamamoto-san Gets Caught up in a Death Game

Chapter 86

The town of Farse lies essentially south of Secan, following the main road.

Geographically, it’s southwest of Secan, past the Shinomori forest. Continuing south along the road, you’ll find a narrow bridge spanning a ravine. Beyond that, a vast wheat field stretches out, and once you cross it, you’ll arrive in Farse—or so I’ve heard.

Distance-wise, it’s about two days on foot.

By carriage, a day and a half.

If I pushed myself, I could probably make it in less than half a day, but considering Envy-chan might get motion sickness, that’s off the table.

So, I’d been planning to camp somewhere along the way.

I must’ve looked ridiculous to my party members, constantly scanning the surroundings for a suitable spot. Eventually, we decided to stop the carriage just before the ravine’s bridge, hunt down some monsters to deliver death sentences, stow the carriage, and set up camp there.

The reasons were simple: the grass was short, making it easy to pitch tents, and the area was surrounded by dense trees, leaving few other viable options. Plus, we’d heard that crossing the bridge would trigger a boss fight, so we wanted to rest up properly beforehand.

The problem? Right next to our chosen campsite, *that* carriage had also stopped, and its occupants were preparing to camp. Worse yet, bandits were gradually gathering—likely to attack the carriage.

And let’s be real, we’re probably on their hit list too, right?

Not knowing when they’ll strike is mentally exhausting. I’d rather not deal with it. Sure, we could preemptively attack, but chasing them through the woods sounds like a hassle. I’m not in the mood.

Also, it’s hard to move freely when we don’t know who that assassin is targeting. Envy-chan already drilled it into me: *“Absolutely no solo missions, got it?”*

For now, we’ll play dumb and act like a normal camping trip.

—

*“Normal camping trips don’t usually come with unlimited alcohol, you know?”*

*“They do.”*

*“They totally do.”*

And so, despite knowing bandits—or worse, an assassin—might attack, these two are drinking anyway.

By the way, Envy-chan is still under the curse of energy drinks, so I’ve got her on coffee. At first, she gagged, but once I made it a café au lait, she took to it. Now she’s sipping slowly, grilling meat and veggies on the BBQ, pausing between bites to scrutinize the food like it’s some kind of artifact. It’s amusing.

Meanwhile, Tsuna-san is practically mainlining grilled squid basted in soy sauce, paired with sake. She’s lamenting the lack of mayo and shichimi pepper, but honestly, the aroma of that squid is so aggressively festive, it looks delicious to me.

As for me, I’m flipping skewers of meat and veggies, slathering them in BBQ sauce, and munching away. I had a beer—because BBQ demands it—but now I’m back to my usual: plum wine on the rocks, sipped leisurely.

Ah, camping under a sky so dark it feels like you could fall into it… It’s got a certain charm.

Makes the drinks go down even easier.

*“Don’t overdo it, okay?”*

*“I’ve got [Status Ailment Null], so I can’t get drunk.”*

*“If you say so… Unnecessary anxiety-inducing behavior: plus one Four Heavenly Kings Point.”*

I’m kinda curious about how those points are looking now. Hope it’s nothing weird…

—

Anyway, with all these delicious smells wafting around, it was only a matter of time before someone cracked.

As night fully settled in, footsteps approached.

We all noticed, of course, but we kept up the act—or more accurately, ignored it—until the lantern light revealed the figure.

Not that we’re great actors. We just couldn’t be bothered.

*“My apologies for the late intrusion.”*

The one who approached our camp was an elderly man with white hair. Dressed in a high-quality suit, his posture was so refined it screamed *butler*. He even carried himself a bit like Envy-chan.

With a polite bow, he addressed us:

*“Forgive my impertinence, but my master has taken a keen interest in your meal. Might I trouble you to spare a portion?”*

I don’t mind, but…

*“Hell no.”*

Yeah, saw that coming from Tsuna-san.

If she’s grilling her own ingredients, no way she’s sharing. I get it—if someone demanded rare materials from me just because they wanted to sword-fight, I’d refuse too.

Still, it feels rude to outright dismiss someone who’s bowing their head like this…

I was about to offer a few skewers when—

*“You’re a demonkin, aren’t you? Why serve a human of status?”*

Envy-chan dropped that bombshell mid-sip of coffee.

The old butler’s killing intent *spiked* the second she said it.

Uh, wasn’t that the kind of thing you *don’t* point out?

Wait, that carriage belongs to someone important? I didn’t even notice!

*“I’m afraid I don’t follow.”*

*“Do you truly believe you can deceive Envy, the Demon King’s secretary? If you’re acting under His Majesty’s orders, answer with the operation codename. Otherwise, this will be treated as foreign interference, and I’ll report directly to the Demon King—”*

The moment *“report to the Demon King”* left her lips, the butler’s hand shot into his coat, pulling out a bizarrely shaped knife aimed straight for Envy-chan’s throat—

—so I caught it with my tongs.

Close call.

*“Ghk!?”*

*“Tsk tsk. Haste makes waste.”*

*“Th-thank you… Unfathomable reflexes: plus one Four Heavenly Kings Point…”*

Envy-chan’s sharp, but her combat skills might be lacking. She didn’t even react to the butler’s move.

Guess that’s what happens when you’re a pure bureaucrat.

Anyway, time for a lecture.

*“Old man, trying to kill someone just because they saw through you? That’s a bad move. You could’ve talked, lied, or even buttered us up. Skipping straight to murder is just sloppy.”*

*“………… My apologies. I acted rashly.”*

He apologized smoothly, sheathing the knife.

Not that he’s planning to talk, though. His face makes that clear.

*“So, about those ‘circumstances’?”*

*“A contract binds my tongue.”*

*“Are you aware that your actions may harm the Demon Kingdom?”*

*“That, too, is bound by contract.”*

*“Huh. Not talking, not lying, not sweet-talking—just silence. Smart.”*

Tsuna-san sounded weirdly impressed.

*“Then I’ll ask.”*

I flipped my skewers, adjusting the heat.

*“Who do you serve?”*

*“………… My young master, over there.”*

*“Hmm.”*

*“Envy-chan, I’m not super familiar with this, but… can humans bind demonkin with contracts?”*

*“If you mean forcing obedience, then yes. But…”*

The butler listened calmly, but who knows what he’s really thinking?

Hope he doesn’t snap again.

*“To pierce the high magic resistance of a demonkin—especially a devil-type—and enforce a [Contract Spell], the human would need an exceptionally skilled mage.”*

*“Makes sense.”*

Wait, the butler’s a devil?

He looks human. I’d never have guessed.

*“What ‘makes sense’? I’m lost.”*

Tsuna-san tore into her squid, baffled.

Alright, simplified explanation:

*“The old man tried to kill Envy-chan the second she mentioned reporting to the Demon King, right? That means he’s doing something the Demon King can’t know about. But he claims his master is a human noble. So, what could a human noble be doing that’s so bad the Demon King mustn’t find out?”*

*“Well, if it’s something like ‘preparing to invade the Demon Kingdom,’ unless it’s a nationwide effort, it’d barely rate a ‘meh.’”*

*“Which brings us back to the contract. This old man’s probably bound for real. If he’s serving a human noble as part of someone else’s plan… well, suddenly things smell *real* fishy, don’t they?”*

*“Got it.”*

The butler stayed silent, but his face paled noticeably.

Mention the Demon King again, and he might lunge.

*“Astute observation… plus one Four Heavenly Kings Point…”*

*“Here, take some skewers. They’re yours.”*

*“Ah… thank you. Are you certain?”*

*“Yeah, yeah. Consider it thanks for clearing things up.”*

*“Clearing things up…?”*

*“Yep.”*

Just then—*whoosh!* An arrow split the night air, embedding itself at the butler’s feet.

*“!?”*

*“The bandits surrounding us, the assassin with unclear targets—it’s all tied to *your* mess, isn’t it? ‘No man can serve two masters’ and all that? Well, at least we know we’re not involved. So consider this a thanks—”*

*“Wha—!?”*

I was mid-monologue when arrows *rained* down.

*Not* part of the plan!

*“Agh—my BBQ grill! My drink cooler!”*

Holes everywhere! Gotta protect them—!

▶ **[Balance]** has activated.
Adjusting attack frequency.

▶ Skill **[Area Attack] Lv. 1** acquired.

▶ **[Balance]** has activated.
Adjusting skill levels.

▶ **[Area Attack]** has reached Lv. MAX.

▶ Intermediate skill unlock conditions met.
**[Piercing Attack]** is now available.

*“[Area Attack]!?*

I activated mental acceleration to check the skill details.

===

**[Area Attack]**
・Converts all single-target damage to area-of-effect. Does not activate if the target is alone.
・Damage = ATK (or MATK) × 0.05 × Skill Lv.

===

So at max level, it’s half-power but hits everything.

This’ll work—!

I extended my tongs’ range and deflected the arrows into oblivion.

Instantly, the tongs multiplied, swatting every single arrow out of the sky.

*“BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM!”*

…………

What *is* this? It’s like an *ORA ORA* barrage!

Or maybe *MUDA MUDA*!

The deafening clatter of arrows flying wildly left everyone stunned.

Pretty sure even the bandits froze.

But then—shouts erupted from the distant carriage. The butler snapped back to reality, his expression darkening.

*“Young master—! …Forgive me!”*

*“Whoa—!”*

Don’t just *throw* the skewers I gave you!

I snatched them mid-air, stashed them in **[Inventory]**, then did the same for the BBQ grill and drink cooler.

Yep, fully armed bandits were emerging from the shadows.

Their main target might be the carriage, but witnesses? Probably on the chopping block too.

Whether they hate the butler or his *“young master”* doesn’t matter. We’re caught in the crossfire!

Tsuna-san, by the way, had already stacked her grilled squid on a plate and retreated.

Impressive.

*“Huh!? Wh-what kind of movement is that…? Plus one Four Heavenly Kings Point…”*

*“Hey, Envy-chan, if you can’t fight, stay behind me. It’s dangerous.”*

*“Y-yes! Understood! …Occasional displays of concern: minus one Four Heavenly Kings Point…”*

She scurried behind me.

Meanwhile, Tsuna-san stepped forward and barked:

*“If there are players here, *run*. This one doesn’t do restraint. Anyone who ignores this warning has a death wish!”*

No reaction.

Guess it’s just NPCs.

*“So we can go all out, right, Tsuna-san?”*

*“Within reason.”*

Got it.

Time for a *moderate* extermination!