It was the last days of winter and the middle of February at the secret underground base of the evil secret society Ark Dominion. However, in contrast to the cold weather on the ground, the female mysterious beings in the base were radiating an unusual degree of heat.

「Gushyashyashya…… When he couldn’t move because of my poison…… Shyurururi.」

「It would be a good idea to cut the Achilles tendon and make it impossible to escape… Hyohyohyohyo.」

「Ahaha, if it’s like that, I’ll force myself faster than anyone else…Mukimuki!」

A woman with the body of a snake dripped venom from her mouth. A girl in a barmaid’s outfit with cat ears sharpened her claws. A gigantic woman of about 10 meters in height was boiling her magnificent muscles.

The heat had turned into a murderous atmosphere, and the flames of courtship were burning everywhere. They say that love is war, but when each one of them is a Battle Vixen (一騎当千) mysterious being, it is too mild to be likened to war. Dozens of female mysterious beings, each one of them a weapon of massacre, were ready to plunder a single man.

They were after the young general who leads an up-and-coming and promising new legion. He is a womanizer, a lover, and is rumored to be as quick as a linear motor car.

He had no idea that this was the case.

The target of the meeting, Rintaro Kuriyama, aka The Heinous Mysterious Death Green, was attending an executive meeting to decide the future direction of Ark Dominion.

「As you all know, the Kanto area is already under the control of our Ark Dominion. For the time being, however, we are trying to rebuild the Northern Army led by the Hundred Beast Legion……」

When it came to the strategic level, rather than the tactical level, it was, of course, the Ark Dominion Leader Dragius III who was in charge, and the following four executives were all present. The meeting, which also served as a debriefing session for each of the regional armies, proceeded smoothly, and just when it seemed like it was time to call it a night, Dragius’ face suddenly turned grim.

「……Finally, we will now discuss the most important matter.」

The sharp, blade-like eyes of Dragius gleamed. Rintaro and the other executives gulped at the unusual atmosphere.

「The executive class, which for a long time consisted of three members, has now increased to four with the addition of Rintaro……. And accordingly, the name “three executives” will also be changed!」

Zubababababaaaaan!!!

A husky voice echoed from the depths of the earth, and the whiteboard was overturned with the words “Super Important Agenda” written in large red letters.

「Um… is that really that important?」

Rintaro, felt let down, pointed out in exasperation. However, as if interrupting Rintaro’s mutterings, the executives raised their voices one after another.

「Gahahahaha! Of course, it has to be the “Four Warriors”!」

「Please don’t put the bear, who is filled with muscles even to the core of his brain, and the intellectual careerist and pretty me together with such a heavy title. I think “Four Holy Knights of Darkness (Dark Paladins)” should be the name here！」

「It is the sublime signpost of the moon, the storyteller who plays the lyre in silence, and the fragrance of the white almond flower that leads the flock of sheep, bewildered in the dark night, to eternity. Standing at the crossroads of dreams and realities, he tries to show the guardians of the tombs in Yusu where the gold is.」

「Zazoma-sama said, “’Ｑｕａｒｔｅｔ(カルテット)’ is good”」

「You are kidding me! There is no way I will use such a title that makes my back itch!　Oi Brother, you also think that “Four Warriors” is good right?」

Hundred Beasts General Bearion, his hair standing on end, firmly clutched Rintaro’s shoulders and asked for his agreement. His eyes were bloodshot, and his passion for the “Four Warriors” seemed to be conveyed through his paws.

「No, I really don’t care, isn’t it enough to just name us something like “Four Heavenly Kings”?」

「You idiot! No matter how you think about it, we are not just “The Four Heavenly Kings”! What’s wrong with you brother, are you not feeling well!? Eat more meat!」

「Kaa! Rintaro, “Four Heavenly Kings” in this day and age…? Although you’re very skilled, your naming sense isn’t very good. I’d say it’s not good enough, or rather, it’s just Tohoho. You have a Tohoho sense!」

「Even a beast as auspicious as the kylin is like the earth mouse when it comes to a single hair on its limbs.」

「Zazoma-sama said, “You must be tired, you should take a rest today”.」

Rintaro, who had received a total thrashing from the three executives, cried secretly under his desk so that everyone could not see him. Samecchi, who was present as his second-in-command, called out to him worriedly.

「Aniki, cheer up, ssu. Everyone has one or two flaws, ssu.」

「Uuuu…… Samecchi, thank you for your support……」

「However, as expected, Samecchi also thinks that “Four Heavenly Kings” is a no, ssu.」

「………………」

Rintaro was so severely beaten that he turned into a gray stone statue, clinging to the wall of the parliament building. It was indeed Rintaro’s fault for giving a perfunctory reply. But was the “Four Heavenly Kings” such a bad idea? Maybe it’s common knowledge that mysterious beings would be embarrassed not to know?

Five hours later, after a heated and controversial discussion, the new name was finally decided to be “Four Executives”. Rintaro thought that “Four Heavenly Kings” would have been better, but he decided to keep it to himself with tears in his eyes.

…………

That evening, a “celebration party to commemorate the decision to name the four executives” was held in a big way. The mysterious beings of Ark Dominion were always eager to make a fuss for any reason, but something was different today.

Somehow, both men and women were fidgeting.

「What’s up?　Everyone is much quieter than usual today.」

「Rintaro, could it be that you haven’t noticed…?  That……」

The first person to approach Rintaro, who was strangely kept at a distance from everyone else, was Kenmochi Minato, aka Swordminas, who had recently become Rintaro’s subordinate.

Minato coughed and handed a beautifully wrapped sachet to Rintaro. The bag, which was half forcefully pushed into his hand, smelled slightly sweet.

「Thank you…… Hey Minato, this is……?」

「Don’t tell everyone, I’m also embarrassed.」

When Rintaro unwrapped the ribbon and opened the bag, he found many small heart-shaped chocolates. At that point, Rintaro finally understood.

「I see!　Today is Valentine’s Day!」

「I- I told you not to tell everyone! You are wrong, this is, that! It’s a way of saying thank you for all you’ve done for me……！ Even though it’s handmade, this is just a trial……!」

「Honmei[i]?」

「Hon……！」

A table knife pops out of Minato’s head like a pompom, like smoke from a train. Minato, now red up to his ears, ran away screaming “Uwaaaah!”.

Rintaro was left alone in the back of the room, but he was tapped on the shoulder.

「You’re still a charming man as usual, aren’t you, Rintaro?」

「L- Leader Dragius!」

「Kukuku… yes, it’s me! It’s better to be prepared for today, get it?」

When Rintaro was told this, he looked around and saw female mysterious beings pouring their gazes at him here and there.

None of them were shyly lowering their head……, but rather, smiling maniacally like a mountain bandit who had kidnapped a villager. Some of them were standing as low as a crouching start, waiting for an opportunity to charge.

「You are very popular, Rintaro! But I was even more popular in my youth!」

「What is that? Are they killers aiming for my life or something?」

「Kukuku, everyone is timing themselves. If they don’t pay attention, they will hit you all at once like a tsunami.」

「I see, so they’re keeping each other in check.」

In the midst of all this, a young girl stepped out dashingly, breaking through the barriers between the women. Shaking her hoodie, she was Samecchi, with a large sack slung over her shoulder like Santa Claus.

Samecchi rummaged through the bag in front of them and presented Dragius with a box slightly larger than the palm of her hand, wrapped in a blue ribbon.

「Samecchi will hand out chocolates to everyone again this year, ssuyo, including Ryu-chan’s, ssu!」

「Fuhahahaha! Thank you again this year, Samecchi! Hahahaha! Look, Rintaro, every year my chocolates are the biggest!」

With a big smile on his face, Dragius showed off the beautiful box to Rintaro as if to boast.

「Here, aniki’s share,ssu! aniki’s is special, it’s the biggest one, ssuyo!」

「Aah, thank you Samecchi… I’ll take it.」

「……Fuhah, Fuha……」

「………………」

The box that Rintaro received was about three times larger than the box that Dragius received.

「Well then, Samecchi is going to distribute them to Ojiki and the others, ssuyo… see you later, ssu!」

「………………………………」

「………………………………」

As he watched Samecchi’s leaving back, Rintaro felt pressure from right beside him that he had never felt before. He was too afraid to turn his head, wondering what in the world Dragius looked like right now.

「…………………………………………」

「……………………………………Umm.」

After a breathless silence, Dragius stood up soundlessly. And then, with a ‘siuu’, he took a deep breath.

「I see! Is Rintaro in the mood for something sweet right now? Well, it’s about time for me to leave!」

「Wa- Wait a minute……!」

The space split darkly in front of Rintaro’s eyes, and Dragius disappeared as if melting into the darkness. Then, triggered by Dragius’ words, dozens of female mysterious beings rushed toward Rintaro at once.

「Death Green-samaaaaaaaaa!!!」

「Ora! Hurry up and eat your chocolate ora!」

「Sshianunnrurussaonooou! ! !」

Like a dying lion pushed into a hyena’s cage. Without even time to resist, Rintaro’s figure disappeared between the waves.

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[i] Honmei choco (本命チョコ, “true feeling chocolate”) in Japan is chocolate given by women on Valentine’s day to men whom the giver has romantic feelings for. 

<125: The Melancholy of Morikuni Ittetsu
127: Battle Royal of the Sweethearts>