We live at the foothills of Dragon Peak.
The Heavenly Thunder Hagoromo
It was some time after sunset when we returned to the Demon Lord’s Castle.
“Lily, thank you,”
“You’re welcome!”
As I was thanking Lily for escorting us to and from the Demon Lord’s Castle and the Forbidden Territory, the Demon Lord appeared in the courtyard.
“What, you’re back already?”
“Yes. We just went out to take care of some errands.”
“Hoh, errands that could be finished in less than a day? That’s unusual for you. So, what kind of errands were they?”
“That’s classified!”
With that, I tried to leave, as if to escape from the Demon Lord. …But I couldn’t!
Grabbed by the scruff of my collar, I was lifted up like a cute kitten by the Demon Lord.
“No, for you, the expression ‘small dragon’ would be more appropriate than ‘kitten’.”
“Either way, please let me go.”
If it were Nimia, she would have meowed “Meow.”
The Demon Lord, with a smile, let me go at my plea.
“So, what have you been up to?”
“Uh… Where is Charlotte right now? Could you ask her about it later?”
“I see. You were asked to run an errand by her.”
“Yes. It was a trivial matter.”
With that, the Demon Lord didn’t press for details.
Perhaps he’s looking forward to the fun later, since it involves Charlotte?
In any case, now that I was free, I reconfirmed Charlotte’s whereabouts.
“You’re more concerned about Charlotte than your parents’ well-being. You’re quite heartless.”
“Eh!? Did something happen?”
From the grand banquet last night, I thought the patriarchal union would be able to interact with the demons without issue.
Could they have been kidnapped by demons who couldn’t attend the banquet!?
Or did a disturbance break out, with Ascres of the Dragon Race at its center?
“You only imagine the most alarming things.”
“Well, you say things that make me worry…”
Yufilia, Nina, and Madrine, who had finally sobered up after drinking since around noon, were energetically causing a ruckus behind my back.
They seemed to be blaming each other for drinking too much.
Oz had turned into a stone statue in front of the Demon Lord.
As I stared at him, I conversed with the Demon Lord.
The Demon Lord, smiling at my boisterous family, told me about the patriarchal union’s situation.
“They were in high spirits until noon. And in the evening, they’re holding another banquet.”
“My fathers are being well taken care of…”
“You don’t need to worry. Lately, the retainers have been working frantically, spurred on by Charlotte. This is a good way for them to blow off steam.”
“Charlotte is truly outstanding, isn’t she?”
“Being too outstanding can be troublesome, however.”
“Your subordinates will die of overwork.”
Charlotte’s skills are beyond doubt.
As expected, she is the chief attendant who has served the oldest Demon Lord for a long time. She has been entrusted with the supreme commander of the Allied Demon Race Army and supports the Demon Lord as Chancellor.
I believe she has the talent to become Demon Lord herself if she desired. Yet, she is so loyal to the Giant Demon Lord, I wonder if she is truly a demon.
“Are you implying that I lack the capacity to inspire such loyalty?”
“No, not at all!”
I hurriedly denied it.
Behind me, the “drinking trio” who heard that there was another banquet tonight were trying to head to the venue. And Ruiseine, Laira, and Sefina were trying hard to stop the trio’s movements.
Oz was still petrified.
“…So, where is Charlotte?”
Once Yufilia, Nina, and Madrine gathered, their rampage could no longer be stopped.
We were finally beginning to realize how difficult it was for these three to be together.
It was on par with Priscilla-chan and Ares-chan running amok energetically.
Well, even so, they haven’t caused any trouble involving anyone other than family, and everyone tolerates it as liveliness, so it’s not a problem, just noisy.
I also happen to think that every day is stimulating and fun.
“That is good. The most to be avoided in a long life is loneliness. Loneliness gnaws at the spirit and deteriorates the soul. If you ask me, I’m impressed by how witches can remain so solitary.”
“Is the witch lonely?”
I thought she was watching over the growth of her beloved disciple, Ada-san, though?
“She is solitary. While she may have friends, including myself, no one accompanies her through life.”
“Even with close friends and disciples, you’re lonely if you don’t have family?”
“It’s the difference between whether you can open your heart to them or not.”
“Hmmph. I think I can open my heart to my close friends…”
“However, you don’t confide everything to your close friend, the Hero, do you?”
“…That’s true.”
The witch has close friends like her beloved disciple Ada-san and the Giant Demon Lord, doesn’t she? But what the Demon Lord means is that in the lives of those with long lives, one needs “kin” with whom they can reveal everything, including their secrets and shames, doesn’t he?
Then, are the Demon Lord and Charlotte individuals with whom they can reveal everything?
The oldest demon and his steadfast chief attendant. I am interested in their relationship.
The Demon Lord, reading my mind, chuckled with amusement.
“My relationship with Charlotte? If that’s what you’re wondering, then go and see for yourself. Right now, Charlotte should be in her office.”
“She’s still working?”
“I’m looking forward to tomorrow morning.”
“The mountain of documents!”
The Demon Lord seems carefree about it.
Well, that’s natural. The retainers are the ones who have to face the mountain of documents.
Charlotte is working as Chancellor, so as not to trouble the Demon Lord.
“Elnea, well then, shall we go see Charlotte?”
“Yeah, let’s.”
“Ah, Mist! Sneaking off on your own!”
“Hahahaha, Elnea-sama! I’ll accompany you too!”
“Ruiseine and Laira, please be the chaperones for the three of you, along with Sefina?”
Oh, it seems Mistral, who had been calmly observing everything, has succeeded in sneaking off.
Mistral took my hand and pulled me along without a word.
“Now then, if you’ll excuse us.”
Then, with Oz, who had remained frozen, in his arms, he greeted the Demon Lord with a smile and led me into the castle.
“Hahaha, you’re being forceful.”
“Sometimes, it’s fun?”
Holding hands with Mistral, who smiled fufufu, I walked through the castle.
By the way, neither I nor Mistral knew where Charlotte’s office was, so we managed to catch a servant and get directions along the way.
The Demon Lord’s Castle is vast and large. Within it, I assumed Charlotte’s office, as his chief attendant, would be on an upper floor, which would also serve to show her authority.
That was incorrect.
“The Chancellor is very busy, so she has her room on the middle floor so she can issue instructions quickly.”
The servant who guided us informed us of this.
And just as he said, as we walked down the corridor on the middle floor of the Demon Lord’s Castle, the person we were looking for appeared from ahead.
“Elnea-kun, Dragon Princess, welcome.”
Charlotte, the糸目 (ito-me) demon with sideways rolled golden hair, walked down the corridor without even lighting a lamp.
Charlotte appeared as if she had foreseen our arrival, having just finished her work.
Servants, who were walking behind Charlotte, passed by us. All of them were carrying documents that looked like mountains.
“I sensed your presence from the courtyard, so I assumed you would be coming this way soon.”
“As expected.”
Even though it was night, there should be thousands of demons and slaves in the Demon Lord’s Castle. To accurately sense our presence among them…
“So, did you bring that item?”
“Yes, I’ve even finished the decorations. I’m sure even the Demon Lord will be captivated. Also, I had a terrible time with the Demon Lord earlier? If you even remotely think of it, he can read your mind!”
While conversing with the Demon Lord, I made an effort to forget about the Orichalcum Mirror. Thanks to that, the Demon Lord didn’t find out.
I believe the commotion everyone was making behind my back was a scheme to prevent the Demon Lord from reading our thoughts.
If they were making that much noise, we wouldn’t be thinking of the Orichalcum Mirror.
Charlotte listened to my report with a slight smile. Then, she prompted Mistral to show her the Orichalcum Mirror.
Mistral set Oz down on the floor, searched her bag, and took out the Orichalcum Mirror, which was wrapped in layers of silk cloth.
Charlotte watched quietly as Mistral carefully unwrapped it.
Oz, who had been put down on the floor, seemed to have regained his movement, perhaps because he was no longer under the Demon Lord’s presence.
Then, he unceremoniously sniffed Charlotte’s scent, mumbling “kun-kun.”
No, no, Charlotte is also a Great Demon.
If you make a mistake, I’m not responsible for what happens, okay?
Despite my worries, Oz continued to sniff Charlotte’s scent. Then, for some reason, Oz looked up at Charlotte with a perplexed expression.
Charlotte, who had been watching Mistral carefully unwrap the silk cloth, noticed Oz’s gaze and shifted her slender eyes to her feet.
Charlotte and Oz gazed at each other.
The next moment, Oz was kicked by Charlotte and sent flying down the long corridor.
See, I told you so.
Or rather, I didn’t.
“I advise discarding small, dirty magic beasts as soon as possible?”
“No, Oz polished the Orichalcum Mirror, you know?”
Poor Oz. It seems your efforts were not recognized by Charlotte.
Charlotte, seemingly uninterested in Oz who disappeared into the darkness, turned her gaze back to Mistral’s hands.
Just then, the Orichalcum Mirror was beginning to reveal its shape from behind the silk cloth.
“Oh my, this is certainly…”
Charlotte sighed, which was rare for her.
The back was intricately carved. The mirror surface was beautifully finished, with twinkling stars scattered across it.
Perhaps captivated by its beauty, Charlotte unconsciously reached out to touch the Orichalcum Mirror. But, perhaps coming to her senses, she quickly retracted her hand.
“As promised, you haven’t performed the purification by the Miko yet, have you?”
“Hahaha. So, Charlotte’s weakness is holy things, as expected. But don’t worry. I haven’t done the final purification yet.”
Just as she didn’t touch even the fragments of the broken Orichalcum Mirror at the Nine-tailed Fox Shrine, Charlotte seems to have an extreme aversion to holy things.
Even Great Demons have weaknesses, don’t they? Or rather, should she be exposing such a weakness to us?
“Alright, if Charlotte becomes an enemy, we just need to gather holy things! We have Ruiseine and Madrine here!”
I deliberately pointed out her weakness, but Charlotte countered with a confident smile.
“Elnea-kun, you’ve noticed something important. I cannot touch or even destroy Miko or holy objects. If I were to threaten your life, I would recommend you to hide behind your wife without a second thought.”
“Hah! But that means my life would be saved, but my dignity as a husband would be ruined!”
What in the world is this?
Charlotte means that while she can’t lay a hand on Ruiseine and Madrine, she can easily kill me, doesn’t she?
Seeing my strained face, Charlotte smiled, narrowing her ito-me eyes with satisfaction.
Then, she gazed intently at the Orichalcum Mirror once more.
“This is a magnificent creation. It is more than satisfactory.”
“So, it’s okay to show it to the Demon Lord?”
Once I get Charlotte’s stamp of approval, all that’s left is to purify it and show it to the Demon Lord. Then, all that’s left is to dedicate it at the Nine-tailed Fox Shrine.
However, Charlotte did not answer my question. Instead, she led us to a certain place.
Urged to follow, we moved through The Demon Lord’s Castle.
Along the way, Oz, whom Charlotte had kicked, was lying dizzy and fainted at the end of the corridor. We asked the servant who had guided us to take care of him.
“Where in the world are we going?”
We had come up to the middle floor of the Demon Lord’s Castle from the courtyard, but now we were going down the stairs again. Where were we being taken?
Charlotte, leading the way, answered without looking back.
“To the treasure vault.”
“Eh!?”
Why is she suddenly taking us to the treasure vault?
She’s not going to say she’s going to store the Orichalcum Mirror in the treasure vault, is she!?
“No, I thought I would give Elnea-kun a reward for responding to my request.”
“Really?”
Demon words aren’t very trustworthy, you know.
Besides, even as Chancellor, is it alright to guide an outsider to the treasure vault and give them a reward without permission?
However, unable to stop Charlotte, who was striding forward, Mistral and I had no choice but to follow. Charlotte, aiming for the treasure vault said to be in the basement, began talking about the Giant Demon Lord without being asked.
“When His Majesty is ordered to relocate to a new country by a higher being, he first goes to the location alone.”
“Without even taking Charlotte? Why?”
“Yes, His Majesty goes alone. The reason is to house a sacred treasure. You know about the Nine Demon Generals’ weapons, don’t you? His Majesty possesses one of them.”
“Are the Nine Demon Generals’ weapons the sacred treasure?”
The demon sword user we missed in the Yorttenitos Kingdom was equipped with the Nine Demon Generals’ Full Armor. And now, it seems he is rampaging through the Northern Land, attacking strong individuals one after another.
Certainly, the Nine Demon Generals’ weapons are equipment that shows immense power to demons. But is it something that the Demon Lord himself has to go to a new country alone and house?
Charlotte nodded at my question.
“There is a secret to His Majesty’s Heavenly Thunder Hagoromo.”
“A secret?”
What kind of secret could it be? And why did she suddenly start talking about this?
Before I could voice my questions, we arrived at the treasure vault, built deep underground.
At the entrance to the treasure vault, burly demons stood guard. However, the Chancellor, Charlotte, was with us.
Charlotte ordered the guards to unseal the treasure vault.
As the seals, layered several times over, were broken, we entered the treasure vault under Charlotte’s guidance.
It was a mountain of gold, silver, and jewels.
As befitting demons, a multitude of eerie weapons and armor were lined up. In addition, treasures, accessories, and works of art presumably plundered from divine races and other species were stored in abundance.
“Please, take whatever you like, as much as you like. It’s a wasted effort to simply keep them stored here. Look, that magic sword over there is quite a valuable item.”
“No, no, I don’t need any magic swords!”
Besides, it’s so gorgeously opulent that just looking at it makes me feel full. We couldn’t possibly accept such things.
Mistral seemed to feel the same way as me, only looking at the treasures lined up in the vault, not even trying to touch them, let alone accept them.
Seeing our humility, Charlotte sighed, “What a waste, considering it’s a gift.”
“…So, what was your real purpose in bringing us here?”
“Oh, I told you? That I would give you a reward.”
“No, that’s definitely a lie, isn’t it?”
I need to find out what Charlotte is thinking pretty soon.
I don’t think the Nine Demon Generals’ weapons we talked about on the way are unrelated.
However, Charlotte again avoided answering my question and proceeded deeper into the treasure vault.
And then, we arrived.
“This is…?”
In the treasure vault, where luxurious gold and silver treasures were piled high, this area alone was different.
An altar, like one found in the depths of a temple, which was unfitting for a demon’s treasure vault, was set up against the wall at the very back.
“Now then, please hand me the mirror.”
With that said, Charlotte took the Orichalcum Mirror from Mistral.
Well, to be precise, she snatched it before Mistral could react.
“Charlotte, give it back. What do you intend to do with it?”
Her Orichalcum Mirror suddenly snatched away, Mistral approached Charlotte with a furrow in her brow.
Charlotte casually brushed Mistral aside and stood by the altar.
“I am unable to touch or destroy holy objects due to a certain curse. Therefore, how long I have waited for this moment.”
“What are you talking about!?”
Charlotte, smiling as usual “fufufu,” now felt terrifyingly strange.
“But, the time has finally come.”
Saying that, Charlotte raised the stolen Orichalcum Mirror and unleashed her magic power.
The treasure vault spread out below was filled with golden light.
And the golden magical power was reflected by the Orichalcum Mirror, illuminating the area behind the altar dazzlingly.
“Ngh!”
An earthquake transmitted from beneath our feet.
At the same time, the golden magical power passed through the wall that should have been behind the altar.
It seemed that beyond what we thought was the innermost part of the treasure vault, there was another hidden space.
“Finally… Finally, I can reclaim my body. I can reclaim the sealed magical power. And it’s all thanks to Elnea-kun and the others.”
Charlotte smiled and stepped into the newly appeared room.
Mine and Mistral’s bodies were deprived of their freedom by the golden magical power, and we could only watch the transformed Charlotte.
In the direction Charlotte walked,
there was a golden-colored hagoromo, resembling Charlotte’s hair, and a golden jewel.
“Does Elnea-kun know? In the past, His Majesty, who was active as one of the Nine Demon Generals, lost the Heavenly Thunder Hagoromo during a battle with the Nine-tailed Fox demons. However, after that, His Majesty had a new Heavenly Thunder Hagoromo made. Using a part of my body.”
In front of us, who could do nothing, Charlotte took hold of the golden hagoromo. Then, she put it on.
“And. His Majesty sealed my magical power in a jewel. To be precise, it’s more accurate to say that the vast magical power remaining in the body that was torn away from me was sealed in the jewel.”
Next, Charlotte grasped the golden jewel.
“In other words, this Heavenly Thunder Hagoromo is a part of my body, and the jewel is my soul.”
Charlotte put the jewel in her mouth and swallowed it with a gulp.
“Ah, welcome back, my body and soul.”
The golden magical power that filled the treasure vault converged behind Charlotte like nine tails.
“The true identity of the Nine-tailed Fox demon is…!”
“Yes, it is me.”
Looking at Charlotte, who smiled with an extremely cheerful “fufufu,” my and Mistral’s despair grew.
Before our eyes, the Nine-tailed Fox demon had been resurrected.
