283 So get up early.

After parting ways with Ecdysius and the others, the Lord proceeded further into the Mejis demon world. He didn't tell them what he was going to do, but they could guess his destination from the direction he was heading.

I suppose I should be nostalgic, but it's become so shabby, hasn't it?

This is the castle where the Lord reigned as king long ago, when he was invading human territory as the Demon Lord. It's a place that I have a connection with.

It seems Balaguerin only values the land and has no respect for buildings. This is the result of my incompetence. I apologize.

"Oh, I didn't mean to be sarcastic, did I?

After the Lord was defeated by Yggra, the castle became the territory of the oldest demon, Balaguerin. I had my own thoughts about it, but as an inexperienced demon at the time, there was no way I could defeat Baraguelin and take back the castle.

But I don't think that will absolve me from the responsibility of defiling the Lord's castle. If I had been stronger at the time, none of this would have happened.

The Lord is entering the castle. There's not a demon around already. All the others have returned to being loyal servants of the master... except for the one that Ecdysius took.

If need be, I can return them to their former glory.

"If necessary? You're getting to know me, aren't you?

My lord has no desire for this castle. There is no sparkle in the Lord's eyes when he looks at the castle of his past. He has no desire for the past, not the castle.

Then why did he come here? He had been thinking about it for a while, but he couldn't figure it out.

May I ask why you are here?

It's too much to ask you to guess ......, isn't it? Not everyone is as perceptive as he is, you know?

"I sometimes wish I could understand your mind as well as that human does. I wish I could understand your mind as well as that human, but I'm afraid I can't.

"That's a good response. How good is your response? It's not like I want you to be like him, is it?

That man can please you, my Lord. But if I imitate him, the effect will be different. I can be sure that even if I were to look exactly like him with my "blank back", it would only result in displeasure.

When Folkdrektra was transforming into his master's form, that man easily saw through the difference in Folkdrektra's emotions. Even if you don't have the same skill, you can at least feel a similar discomfort.

What I need is not to understand you, but to follow you. Of course I will try to understand your tastes.

"Then why don't you have dinner with Nora sometime? I'm sure you could learn a thing or two from her.

Are you saying that I'm still a human child? No, Nora is much smarter than an ordinary human adult. Her character is a bit short-tempered, but that is probably due to her ambition to pursue the path of magic.

Are you eating?

"Learning is not just about asking for help, you know. You can get more results than you can say by interacting with others and becoming aware of what you don't have.

I'll take that into consideration when I'm in a safe place, Lord .......

I'll consider it when I'm in a safe place. That was the purpose, wasn't it?

The Lord looked as if he would answer, but he kept his mouth shut and walked to the throne room. The interior, made of polished stone, was much dirtier than it had been in the past, but it still had enough atmosphere to remind you of the scene.

I came here just to reminisce a little bit about the old days.

The old .......

He's not going to treat me as a harmless demon lord, is he? You may be able to make a country recognize that, but you can't unify the will of all people, can you? If that happens, who knows when our peace will be threatened by someone like Serraes?

The man who tried to use the man to defeat the Demon Lord. The man who tried to use her to defeat the Demon Lord. You have no intention of forgetting Ceraes. Even though he killed him with his own hands, I don't think his anger towards humans has completely subsided.

The past is not something you can just throw away. It is true that in order to live in this world, you need to be more of a threat than a harmless person. He wants us to play the role that man gives us.

The Lord's authority was and still is, I believe, intact.

Oh, you think a demon lord leaning on a man has not lost his authority?

If anything, it's more when he's arguing with the Golden Demon Lord.

I don't blame you. When I'm talking to that thing, I know I'm being an idiot.

When I took in the powers of the demons through the pawn masks, I was also able to take in their general intentions. Some of the demons even laughed at me inwardly, thinking that I had fallen into the hands of men.

I didn't understand the value of it, but I certainly felt its enthusiasm. There was a light in his eyes with a clear purpose that was not present in the past, when the Lord had invaded the world without hesitation. I felt that it was more valuable than any jewel.

"Please follow the path that is best for you, Lord. Even if it's a path blocked by inexhaustible thorns, I will open it.

"Why don't you leave some of it behind? A little injury is a good excuse for him to pet you, you know?

Did you stroke the wound that Ceraes inflicted on you?

...... You hit me where it hurts.

It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for. However, I can assure you that the man was not fooled by the Lord's playful trickery.

Couldn't you have been a little more forceful?

I'm pushing hard enough to get you to back off.

It's difficult.

Much harder than adjusting you?

I see, the difficulty may be comparable to the resuscitation magic that Nektokhar was trying to learn on his own. I guess human interaction is so complex that there is no right answer.

◇ "Hey, man!

"Hey man, I'm here to get more fruit!

It's yesterday! You don't have enough fruit for three meals, do you?

Even so, it's no wonder that Pope Eupharo in Medis delivered a mountain of fruit. Yox saw the pile of fruits and was eager to push them to his men. I'm tempted to ask him if people in this world are not good at paying their respects.

That's why I decided to check the room of the old man who moved to a different room and pay him a visit like a fruit terrorist.

I'm sure you have someone you can contact to report it, right? "You have someone to contact to report it anyway, so push it to them. Wasting food is an evil deed that makes us feel guilty, even in our world.

"Is it okay to make other people deal with it too? ....... And do you know what you're doing?

It's not like you're an assassin, so it's not a problem to treat you normally. I'm not sure what to make of it. It's also a chance to get some information out of him.

It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for. It's a little embarrassing to be watched 24/7, but that's how you treat people from other worlds. It's a lot better than being reprimanded and having a mix placed next to you for three days and three nights.

You know, ....... d*mn. What's with the cautiousness when you've spotted my identity at a glance ......?

"It's like chemistry. It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for. You can't do anything if you can't blend in with the general public.

I don't expect to get any information about Princess Yumiez from this old man. But I can analyze the thinking and behavioral habits of this kind of people in this country. It is my role to understand these things.

So, what are you and Prince Washect doing in this country?

It's nothing to hide. There's an important person in this country who's been working with the demons. I'm going to find out.

"...... I see. So King Selende decided that there was a possibility that it was among the royal family. So he chose Prince Washekht, who is only interested in ruins. No, even if he was black, he would have sent Prince Washecto, who is easier to catch.

"Oh, I guess the people around Prince Washecto are not very well guarded.

I'm sure you're not the only one. It's a good thing that he has nothing to hide and is so open about it.

You didn't have any guards when you explored the ruins, did you? He must have been judged to be likely to leak information even if he got along with them. Or it's possible that people who have been rooted in the other princes have been infiltrating from the beginning.

Is the area around Princess Yumyess secure?

Well. Even if a person like me makes a mistake, it's ensured that I won't feel any pain. It's going to hurt my pocketbook, though. ......

If I report this story, we'll be even.

Trust is everything in this business. You don't get another job if you've been exposed.

I doubt it. If you can make Princess Umies think, 'That guy can't help it,' then I think there's still hope for you, old man.

It was the wrong guy. If you can make her think that way, then pity, not distrust, will be directed at the one who made the mistake. Well, not if Princess Yummies' head is on a stick, I suppose.

I'll half expect it. And my name is Topala. Don't say "old man" too much.

Okay. See you later, Toppala. I'll bring you more fruit.

No thanks.

Ilias and Mikus, who had been quiet until then, sighed as they left the hospital room. I had warned them not to intimidate Toppala, and I was glad they had done so.

What are you doing being so intimate with the spies ......?

What are you talking about? I'm giving you a fruitcake. Can you eat fruit that's just had toppings shoved on it?

"If your friend says it's okay to be a little plumper, I can manage.

I tried to imagine a slightly fattened mix, but I realized how wide my strike zone is when I thought it might be possible. Well, I think he looks best as he is now.

It's okay, but don't go out of your way to change your body shape. I like you just the way you are.

I like you just the way you are. ...... In other words, don't--

Please be modest about that. I don't like exhibitionism.

But you were naked in front of me and my king, weren't you?

Oh, are you trying to start a fight, Neillertes?

I wonder if the demon tribe has any intention of making a regular appearance. I'll just let it slide as Neil Ryates interrupts as if he was part of the conversation from the beginning.

"Oh, you want to fight me? You're a daredevil, but I'm glad you're prepared! Come at me from wherever you are!

I'll complain to the Blue Demon King later. I'm going to complain to the Blue Demon King that you're always playing pranks on him while he's doing his business.

You can use my chair. I'd really like to talk to you.

It's okay to be chastised for your own mistakes, but you don't want to be punished after someone tells on you. But I'm not going to sit on all fours like that, okay? And don't give me that look that says, "You're not going to sit down, are you? Don't make that face.

After the Nektohar incident was over, Neillertes had returned to the Tarzian world. It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're going to be doing and how you're going to do it.

"So, what did the Blue Demon King say?

"To summarize, a promise is a promise, and he wants me to do what I want with you, Wolfe.

What kind of summary is that? How can the Blue Demon King say anything about Wolfe? Marith does, though.

In exchange for healing me, who was seriously injured by Ceraes, Yugra's bastard son, Wolfe, was going to offer his own body. This is the end of the case where he decided to take Nektohar's head as an alternative to such a joke.

I guess I owe you for saving my life now.

"And I'll at least throw you a compliment and tell you to come see me when you get back to Tarz. Well, that was a surprise.

Yeah, it was a surprise.

Not really. That Demon Lord knows his own strength, and even though he's arrogant about it, he's still reasonable. I'm not sure what to make of this.

I'm not sure if you're going to be able to find a way to get your hands on it. The rest is just a little bit of research on the ruins. Would you like to go with me?

"I don't want to go when I'm sick, considering the possibility of traps. You're on your own.

You like it when innocent girls are tortured by traps. That's terrible taste.

The man who decapitated that innocent maiden is your master.

"My king is good! It doesn't matter how much you mess up my body! I'd rather be messed up! I want to be messed up without being angry!

I wonder if demons have a defect that causes them to lack human ethics. It's not impossible for them to leave the values of human society since they quit being human. I'll keep an eye out for ecdysias. Also, Mix, don't give me that 'I get it' look.

I'll lend you some wisdom. It's expensive.

No, thank you. My feelings for my king are my own. All the desires and worries I have for him are treasures that only I can enjoy.

I'm slightly attracted to Neillertes at times like this. It's a face with a core, common to those who are enjoying life. I envy you that your guess is my king. Just stop crawling on all fours. Also, the "I get it" face in the mix is ...... well, you don't have to stop.