Nothing bad would happen.
I was sure. They were just rumors anyway, yes. I had almost crazy killer and a very dear person to be with for now, so it was probably alright to leave things be.
So what if rumors about me and Noa spread? It didn't change facts.
I did sleep with her. But did that seal the deal.
On that note, what was my relationship with them? Friends? But friends don't lay together.
"Young master, where next!"
"Hm, do you want to eat some cake next?"
"We've been eating for a long time. Is this what you've been doing, young master?" Maria said. The date had already gone on for a few hours. We ate in the cat cafe, then at a restaurant, and just stepped out after eating some ice cream.
"You're not eating a balanced meal. I'll do the cooking for you from now on."
"Hey, it's alright, really. I eat well usually."
"Really?" She asked again.
I nodded.
"Like demon sandwich or something."
With Maria's arm linked around mine, I slowly guided her toward the outer islands where I usually went to train. It was a good spot to stop and look at the flowers at, so I decided to take her there for now.
"Demon sandwich? Do you absolutely need to eat demon food now?"
Over the course of our date, I explained everything from Dantalian taking me over to the way I had gone to hell to kill her. I even told her about the things she said of Charlotte and also put the ring back on.
Strangely enough, it felt soothing to have on.
And well, it'll be fun if it sucks up another demon's powers in the future.
"Not really, I live on human food. I guess there's not much different about demons other than their horns and environment. Hell is one hell of a place."
Maria stroked my head at that.
"I am glad you're alright, young master."
"Hah! Didn't you say it yourself that I am the strongest. This is nothing."
Maria giggled.
Soon enough, we reached the island with the field of flowers.
"Wow… I didn't know such a place was here…"
"It's pretty right?"
The dimming evening sunlight spread over the field of flowers with colors of all kinds. A sight like the auroras of the towers was on the ground, right in front of us.
I carried Maria into the field of flowers and sat with her at the center. She plucked a few out while the two of us gazed out to the skies.
"I missed you a lot, young master."
A wry smile left me.
"All of us did. I hope you can rely on us in the future."
"I will learn to."
Maria gazed at me and then smiled. She raised her hand and rustled my hair.
"Thanks for the fun date."
"Anytime. Let's have the next one with Lily and Keith too, we'll play some poker like old times."
"Sounds great! When?"
"Today? Tomorrow? Any time. We can play any time."
I was here for good now.
"I'll tell Lily then, and you tell Keith."
"Sure. I haven't seen—Wait a minute."
My eyes furrowed.
The person that should have been in the room right below mine, was never around.
"Have you seen Keith recently?" I asked Maria.
"Uh, no? It's been a long while actually."
Heh?
I shook my head and thought.
I hadn't seen that bastard in a long time too. When was the last time?
Like a record player, I recalled all the previous chapters right to the last volume. I should have been seeing him every time I came home, but he was never around.
Not even once.
The last conversation was just a few days after I had started ignoring everyone. After I had captured Noa.
"Ah…"
I remembered well.
'Find a dark place for a secret base'
That was what I had told him.
"That fucker…"
Was he looking for a dark place? At my orders? For over a month!? No chance. As if that little bastard would ever even consider something like that. It was impossible for Keith of all people to go out and work that hard.
He was slacking off! That cunt!
"He's definitely slacking off! All because I told him to find a secret base."
"Secret base?" Maria tilted her head.
"That bastard. I'll have to contact the dark moon to look for him now."
"So that means he's off to do your mission?"
"No, he's just slacking off."
"He couldn't have gone far, though?" Maria said. "There's no need to call the Dark Moon Bandits, young master. That rat knight who's supposed to protect you disappeared even though you were suffering…"
Maria's eyes turned red and a chuckle escaped her lips.
"I'll handle it. Let me take care of him, young master. Haha… hahaha… hahaha…"
I closed my eyes and said a quick prayer for Keith. Since I was a demon now, was I to pray to one of them? Nah. Keith, I'll hope for your safety.
This is really not on me.
"Haha… hahaha… hahaha… What kind of doll.. hahaha."
I'll remember both the knights, Keith! Alec!
After spending time there till night came around, I escorted Maria back to her home, when two people caught whiff of me.
"LORD EUGENE!?
"Young master!?!?"
The two were none other than Sophia and Lily.
"What's this I hear? You were fighting a demon all along? And you romanced up another girlfriend? Naughty, lord Eugene. Naughty and frivolous!"
"Yes yes! What in the world, young master? Do you want a threesome that much? Hahahaha!"
"Miss Lily, your tongue still slips."
I sighed and raised my hand.
"You two too, I have a lot to say." I said. "So make time for me, got it? Refusals not allowed."
"What, what? Sorry, young master. You should focus on yourself we're too busy."
Oh, playing my own tune to me.
"Well, I'll help you with whatever keeps you busy, so make time anyway."
"How selfish, Lord Eugene," Sophia said, shaking her head while covering her lips. "But that's your charm. As your childhood friend, it's the least I can do."
"Fine. I'll do it too."
With that, my long day of a date came to an end. But the day itself wasn't over.