After Marius’s playful time with Emma, Marius chose Remika as his next partner.
“I-I’m embarrassed,” Remika said, blushing furiously as she complied with the King’s request and offered him her lap pillow. The feel of her thighs, directly transmitted through her mini-skirt, made Marius’s cheeks loosen.
“Mmm, lap pillow is the best,” Marius said, lying on his back and gazing at the swell of Remika’s chest up close. He was completely in high spirits. They were currently enjoying the refreshing breeze on a deserted hill. It wasn’t a reflection on drawing attention during Emma’s turn. Marius exhibited a peculiar kind of obtuseness. When it came to choosing this spot for his date with Remika, it was her wish.
*(After all, flirting in public? I’d die of embarrassment.)*
Upon hearing the story, Remika was terrified. Other women sighed, and some wryly smiled, thinking it was typical Marius. Marius, still riding high, decided to spend a relaxing time with Remika on the hill where no one else was around.
“Remika, ahn.”
“Ah, ahn.”
Marius fed Remika a sandwich she had made.
“Your Majesty, ahn.”
“Ahn.”
And in return, he was fed by her. Time flowed by leisurely.
“Found you!”
Suddenly, Auraniess descended from the sky. She landed gracefully a short distance from Marius and his companion. One had to commend her for not kicking up any dust.
“Marius, I have returned!” Auraniess shouted.
“Yeah. Start over,” Marius replied curtly, refusing.
“Why!?”
“I’m on a date right now.”
Dismissing the protest, Marius asked Remika for another “ahn.” The maid, though confused, complied.
“Hey, don’t pretend I don’t exist!” Auraniess persisted.
With a sigh of annoyance, Marius asked, “Is it okay for me to interrupt this to play with you?”
“No, that’s not okay,” Auraniess stated, as if it were obvious.
“Then, right now isn’t okay either.”
“Mmm…”
Defeated in his argument, Auraniess reluctantly left.
“Is… is it alright? Aren’t you afraid of what might happen later…?”
“It’ll be fine. He went back quietly,” Marius reassured a worried Remika. Given Auraniess’s personality, she would have thrown a tantrum right there if she’d been truly displeased. Therefore, he felt she could relax. While secretly thinking of El if things went south, he put on a brave face for Remika. However, it wasn’t easy to restore the mood that had been soured, and their day continued somewhat awkwardly.
“So, we’ll compete with crafting, Auraniess.”
“Crafting…?”
The Demon Lord asked, looking puzzled, as Marius explained the procedure. Instead of direct combat, they would fight by controlling objects they had created. They could work together to prepare the stage.
“Hmm. Can I create anything?” Auraniess inquired, her eyes gleaming with interest. It seemed she was now enthusiastic.
“Attacks are melee only, and the size should not disturb the surroundings. No recharging power after taking damage. How about this?” After Marius explained, Auraniess nodded, saying, “Fufufu. It sounds fun, so it’s fine. How about the judgment?”
“If one of us becomes incapacitated, it’s over, so I don’t think it’s necessary. Just in case, should we ask Sophia and Iris?” Marius judged that these two could somewhat keep up with their battle.
“Yes, I have no objections to those two,” Auraniess agreed, also trusting them.
Summoned without regard for their wishes or convenience, the two readily accepted without showing any displeasure.
“It’s Auraniess-sama, after all,” Sophia stated impassively. Iris, however, said to Marius, “You know, you’re starting to resemble Auraniess-sama.”
“Guhhhh!” Marius clutched his chest and collapsed.
“What do you mean by that, say that again!” Auraniess glared at Iris and Marius, who then looked away.
“Iris, there are things you can say and things you shouldn’t,” Sophia chided, making Iris look sheepish.
“That’s true. My bad, Marius.”
“No, it’s fine if you understand.”
“Then what do you two mean by that!” As Auraniess began to get agitated, the three turned their faces away.
Getting back on track, Marius and Auraniess began by crafting the continent.
“What should it be like?”
“Let’s make it sturdy for now,” Marius replied. Consulting each other, they completed an object comparable in size to the Taliant Continent in about ten minutes.
“This should suffice,” Auraniess declared, punching it. It shook violently, but the ground didn’t cave in or crack.
“Yep. If it can withstand Auraniess’s punch, it’s fine,” Marius said with a satisfied smile.
“Hmm. Can I punch it with all my might?” Auraniess suddenly asked.
“The match is on hold for now, but is that okay?” Marius countered, silencing her.
“Could you please begin soon?” Sophia urged, looking bored. Auraniess eagerly gathered her power and created a white clay doll, human-sized and seemingly unremarkable.
“Is that it?”
“Yup. Simple is best,” Auraniess said, puffing out her chest with a hint of pride. In contrast, Marius first made a clay-like substance and then refined it.
“Wh-What is that?” Auraniess exclaimed upon seeing the finished product. Marius had created a large ship, albeit one with two legs.
“It’s Battleship-kun. The drawback is I can’t use its cannons since long-range attacks are forbidden, but…”
“Then why did you make something like that?” Auraniess retorted, but Marius pretended not to hear.
“What are you saying? This is a man’s romance.”
“I’m a woman. Rather, everyone besides you is a woman,” Auraniess shot back, but Marius looked puzzled.
“What’s wrong, Auraniess? You’re saying sensible things for once. Did you eat something strange?”
“Are you picking a fight with me right now?” Auraniess glared at Marius.
“Not at all! Why are you so short-tempered? As comrades, isn’t this kind of banter normal?”
“Nuu?” Auraniess, looking genuinely perplexed, couldn’t retort. Marius pressed on.
“Did you not have anyone to joke and banter with before?”
“…I don’t recall having anyone.”
“Then I’m your first. Enjoying this kind of exchange is what makes us comrades.”
“Is that so?” The innocent Auraniess was thoroughly deceived by a bad person.
“Well, if it’s proof that you and I are comrades, then fine,” Auraniess finally agreed. Then, their battle began. The white doll dashed at an unbelievable speed to close the distance, and the ship’s turrets turned into fists, punching and sending it flying.
“Huh?” While Auraniess was dumbfounded, Marius, with a smug look, declared, “Melee combat only.”
*(He could have just made fists from the start.)* Sophia and Iris thought, but as judges, they didn’t voice their opinions. Auraniess regained her composure and stood the doll up.
“It won’t be like that this time.” She closed the distance with a dash, but this time she took the lower ground, assuming attacks couldn’t reach from below.
“Too naive. Torpedo Punch.” She sent a fist flying from below, slamming the doll into the ground.
“Huh?” While Auraniess was surprised, “Battleship-kun” swiftly defeated her with a bewildering variety of attacks.
“I win,” Marius declared. The judges acknowledged his victory.
“Curses! I was misled by its weird shape!” Auraniess exclaimed, hitting the ground in frustration.
“Well, what can I say? You lose if you overthink it,” Marius said, to which Sophia and Iris nodded. My, that’s true,” Auraniess admitted quickly, seemingly aware of it herself.
“Alright, one more time!” Auraniess, switching gears, immediately requested a rematch. Marius, anticipating this, readily agreed.
“Sure. For my next creation, it will be this!” Marius transformed the ship into a castle.
“Wh-What the hell?” Not only Auraniess but also Iris and Sophia were astonished by its exquisite detail.
“Hmph, don’t underestimate craft-making superpower Nippon!” Marius boasted proudly, though only he would understand the reference, puffing out his chest. He was completely in high spirits.
“Nuu, I can do that too!” Auraniess countered, creating her own castle. However, the difference in craftsmanship between hers and Marius’s was glaring.
“C-Cursed, why is this happening?” Auraniess stamped her foot in frustration.
“You’re not interested in human castles, are you?” Marius’s observation struck Auraniess speechless.
“T-That’s right… It’s deeper than I thought.” Auraniess drooped her shoulders in disappointment. The conversation had veered into a strange direction, but no one pointed it out. It was probably easier that way.
“Alright, I’ll teach you how to build castles first.”
“Mmm, please do.” And so, Marius’s lecture on “How to Build Intricate Castles” began.
