We live in the foothills of Dragon Peak.
The urge to urinate, again.
One day.
“I’m going for a little walk.”
“Hoh hoh, then I, Oz, shall accompany you.”
Another day.
“Well then, I’ve been called by a demon, so I’m off!”
“Hmph, inevitable. I shall go with you.”
“…”
And then, yet another time.
“To the restroom.”
“Honestly. Such a busybody.”
“…Hey, Oz?”
I let out a bitter smile at Oz, who always tried to follow me wherever I went.
“I won’t run away, so it’s fine for me to be in the room with everyone, you know?”
“Fufufu, petty thoughtfulness is unnecessary between us. I am personally accompanying you, but you need not feel grateful or apologetic.”
No, it’s a nuisance, you know?
The oracle that Oz received was actually Charlotte’s scheme.
Oz, being a demon beast, is apparently sensitive to sounds even while sleeping. By whispering to him while he slept, she made him believe it was an oracle.
And Oz, startled by the whisper in his ear, might have seen Charlotte’s figure with sleepy eyes.
Well, in blurry vision, she would appear as a golden great demon.
And so, after the new oracle, Oz has been sticking to me like glue and won’t leave me alone.
It’s really a nuisance, isn’t it?
Mistral and the others, who knew the truth behind the oracle, stifled their laughter and sent me off.
Oz followed me with great enthusiasm.
I, bewildered, headed to the restroom, obeying the urge.
By the way, only Mistral, Ruiseine, and Laira were relaxing in the room. Everyone else had gone out since morning.
I wonder where they went.
Well, putting that aside.
“Hey, hey, Oz. Why won’t you leave me alone?”
I actually knew the reason, but I decided to ask anyway.
Oz puffed out his chest, which had white fur only in that spot, and said arrogantly.
“There is no need to tell you that!”
Oh, honestly…
I sighed, not at Oz, but at Charlotte, who had delivered the troublesome oracle.
“My, my, Elnea-kun. Why are you sighing so deeply?”
“It’s all your fault!”
As I proceeded through the Demon Lord’s Castle corridors following the familiar route, Charlotte appeared from around a corner.
I couldn’t help it and grabbed the hem of Charlotte’s clothes, who was smiling with narrowed eyes.
“You know, Charlotte. This is really bothering me?”
I don’t say what’s bothering me.
But you can guess from the situation, right!
Charlotte glanced at Oz.
Oz was frozen behind me, as if scared. Seeing his forked tail tucked between his legs, he was truly terrified. It was probably due to the memory of being roughly kicked away and the fact that his opponent was a true great demon.
Ah, I want to expose her right here, right now.
I want to tell them that this Charlotte is the “Golden One” that Oz adores. That the oracle is fake, and he’s just being deceived and manipulated!
However, Charlotte placed her index finger on my lips and smiled with a knowing Fufufu.
Scary!
Not in terms of danger or life-threatening situations.
If I don’t obey Charlotte’s will, she’ll surely concoct a scheme that will cause me even more trouble.
What an evil demon!
As expected of the closest aide to the Oldest Demon Lord…
“Elnea-kun. I hear the expeditionary force is approaching the Dragon King’s Capital soon.”
“Thank you for telling me. Well then, I must go and meet Father and the others.”
Charlotte, having skillfully changed the subject, walked away with her subordinates and porters.
The slaves bowed deeply to me, and then to Oz, as they passed by.
With Charlotte’s gaze gone and the slaves treating me with such reverence, Oz started acting arrogant behind my back.
Oh dear, what a troublesome fox.
I had no choice but to accompany Oz to the restroom.
However, from the corridor after Charlotte’s entourage had passed, new individuals appeared to block our progress.
“Oh, isn’t that Elnea-kun?”
“Oh, isn’t that Oz?”
“Are the two of you going out again?”
“Hey, Yufi, Nina. And Madrine-sama. I’d actually prefer to go alone…”
The former “Great Nuisance Adventurers,” who had been secretly tracking Charlotte’s group, appeared.
“So, what are you three doing?”
It was a mistake to ask out of sheer curiosity.
Madrine-sama, her eyes sparkling, said.
“As expected of Elnea-kun. You are so devout. Let’s go then.”
“Eh!? Wait, where are we going!?”
Madrine-sama, pulling my clothes without my consent, said.
“Elnea-kun has become our companion.”
“With Oz as a bonus.”
“Hey, I am not a bonus!”
Oz protested, stomping his forked tail on the carpeted floor, but he was nothing more than a bonus.
But I don’t have time to think about that.
Madrine-sama pulled me along the corridor.
In a different direction from the restroom!
“Hey, hey, where are we going? Can you at least tell me that?”
I had a bad feeling about this.
After all.
Tailgating Charlotte, the Chancellor with the second-highest authority in the Demon Lord’s Castle after the Demon Lord, is definitely suspicious, right?
The former “Great Nuisance Adventurers,” along with Oz and me, proceeded down the corridor where Charlotte’s group had gone.
Then, a new figure appeared halfway through!
“Sefina is looking at us with eyes that seem to want to join us.”
“Sefina is looking at us with a gaze that suggests she wants to join.”
“No way! Absolutely not!! I have no interest in getting involved with my sisters!”
Unfortunately, we ran into Sefina, who was on her way back after training with demons.
Upon seeing her two older sisters, Sefina quickly turned to flee.
But, the outcome was predictable…
“Sefina has joined our party.”
Madrine-sama beamed as she watched Sefina being caught by Yufilia and Nina.
Oh dear, what will happen to us after this?
The adventurers assembled in the Demon Lord’s Castle set out towards their objective!
“…So, what is the objective?”
Immediately after departure, Sefina and I, looking dejected and exhausted, asked the three of them again.
Then, Madrine-sama chided us as if we were the ones asking a strange question.
“Elnea-kun, have you forgotten my objective?”
“Ah!”
That’s right.
I had been relieved that the problem was solved after defeating Baltnowar’s ambition. but Madrine-sama’s personal issue had made no progress whatsoever.
“I must retrieve the staff that the Demon Lord stole. Now, let’s go demon hunting!”
“No, no, no, there’s no way we can do that? We can’t even defeat his aide, Charlotte!”
I see. So that’s why they were tailing Charlotte.
The Giant Demon Lord, who wanders around leaving his work to Charlotte, was being secretly followed by her, presumably to discover his whereabouts.
But even if we find the Demon Lord, we can’t possibly defeat him, can we?
Rather, we’ll be the ones defeated.
“The Demon Lord said he would return the staff if Charlotte was defeated.”
“The Demon Lord said he would return the staff after Charlotte was overthrown.”
“But we can’t even defeat Charlotte, can we?”
“Muki! Elnea-kun, what will you do if you’re so weak-kneed? If you have faith in the Goddess, you will surely achieve your goal!”
“I don’t think faith alone will get us anywhere?”
Sefina, upset to be caught up in such trouble, but she couldn’t escape, being held by Yufilia and Nina on either side.
However, putting aside the demon hunting and Charlotte’s subjugation for now, I wanted to help Madrine-sama.
But how could I?
As Madrine-sama pulled me down the corridor, I pondered. But no brilliant idea came to mind.
Because my instincts were screaming that I had to urinate!
“Wait a moment. I’m not going to run away… Please let me go to the restroom!”
I had been flinching and holding my lower abdomen, fidgeting for a while. Seeing this, Madrine-sama pulled the arm she was holding even closer to her body.
The soft touch and warmth of a woman’s body conveyed through her miko’s attire.
“Oh my. I thought you were lusting after a shrine maiden’s body. Oh, Elnea-kun. To get excited over clergy.”
“No, no, I’m not lusting after you!”
“Ah. Madrine, that’s not fair. Give Elnea-kun to me.”
“Ah. Madrine, that’s cheating. Give Elnea-kun back.”
“Big sisters, and Madrine-sama, what are you doing here!”
As expected of the rampaging twins and their partner.
Forgetting the objective of retrieving the staff from the Demon Lord, a battle for me began.
In the middle of the corridor, Yufilia and Nina tried to stuff my face into their chests. In opposition, Madrine-sama tightly hugged me. And then, Sefina, the serious one, tried to stop the three rampaging figures.
The commotion unfolding in the corridor made the passing demons and slaves laugh.
“Now, now. Everyone, be good.”
My command to quiet down was absorbed by Nina’s soft chest, and no one could hear it.
Moreover, Nina let out a seductive sigh in response to the trembling of her chest caused by my voice, making the scene even more chaotic.
Tsk. If this continues, we’ll be mistaken for a scandalous family!
“Honestly, in my own castle, to cause such a scandal. What a scandalous family.”
“We were suddenly called that!”
The sudden commotion ended as abruptly as it began.
The cause was a person who opened the door at the end of the corridor and gazed at us.
“It’s the Demon Lord.”
“It’s the Chancellor.”
“It’s a demon.”
Beyond the door, which the Demon Lord had opened, was Charlotte’s entourage.
They all looked at us and were laughing.
We were seen!
How embarrassing…
All of us, like the rest, stopped moving under the gaze of the demons.
The Demon Lord glanced at us and, leaving the door open, retreated further into the room.
“…Does that mean he wants us to come in?”
To avoid misinterpreting the Demon Lord’s intentions, we carefully confirmed with each other. Then, tidying up our appearances, we stepped through the open door into the room.
As we entered, the demons, except for the Demon Lord and Charlotte, left.
“I’m sorry. Did we cause trouble?”
We couldn’t have a meeting if we were causing a disturbance in the corridor, right? When I apologized, the Demon Lord smiled and denied it.
“There’s no need to worry. Such minor commotion is commonplace in demon society.”
“Indeed. Disturbances that don’t result in material or human damage are barely worth mentioning.”
It seemed to be a report from the expeditionary force or something similar.
Maps were spread across a large desk, and documents were piled high.
The Demon Lord, avoiding the casual furniture, invited us towards the reception area.
“Speaking of which, I forgot to give you your reward.”
“Reward?”
Following the Demon Lord’s lead, we sat on the long sofa.
The Demon Lord also sat on a chair opposite us.
Charlotte stood by the Demon Lord’s side, watching us with her usual narrowed eyes.
“This time, you’ve been quite entertaining. Especially the struggles of you who possess no special powers were admirable, I must say.”
The Demon Lord indicated Madrine-sama and Sefina.
“Elnea and his original family already possess powerful weapons and have experience facing difficult challenges. But you two are different. Despite being mere humans, you have driven yourselves with the feelings in your hearts and your refined skills, and I am simply impressed that you were able to keep up with these boisterous individuals.”
The “boisterous individuals” must be us.
Well, we are always boisterous, but… A large part of the reason for our rowdiness is always related to demon conspiracies, isn’t it?
But still, I think Madrine-sama and Sefina did their best.
We are accustomed to constant commotion, but for them, running east and west, confronting high-ranking demons and Ancient Dragon Species, and even those chosen ones, despite their adventurer experience, this must have been a first.
The Demon Lord’s remark made me realize that I hadn’t properly acknowledged the two who must have struggled the most.
I should reflect on that.
However, the two in question showed no signs of concern, as if asking “what’s so special about this?”
“Since I decided to follow Elnea-kun, this is nothing.”
“Because the Goddess guides me, this is nothing significant.”
They are reliable, aren’t they?
The Demon Lord and Charlotte also smiled with satisfaction, perhaps sharing the same sentiment. Then, the Demon Lord suddenly summoned two objects.
“What is that…?”
I recognized both of them.
One was a beautiful golden robe.
It was one of the nine demon generals’ weapons, sealed deep within the Demon Lord’s Castle’s treasury. The Giant Demon Lord himself had woven it using Charlotte’s body parts, specifically her nine tails – the Heavenly Thunder Hagoromo.
“This, for you.”
“Eh!?”
The Giant Demon Lord offered the Heavenly Thunder Hagoromo to Sefina.
Sefina was perplexed.
She looked at me nervously, wondering what to do.
“Is it really okay to receive something like this?”
“It doesn’t matter. With the treasury blown up, it makes no difference where it’s kept.”
If that’s the case, I thought, shouldn’t Charlotte keep it, or the Demon Lord wear it?
“I do not favor unnecessary ostentation.”
“Is that so…”
The Giant Demon Lord, who prefers blue outfits, would indeed be quite conspicuous wearing a golden robe!
“I also find flashy things a bit…”
Oh dear, did my thoughts slip out? Sefina gave me a wry smile.
“But, it’s equipment of the nine demon generals, which remains as a legend among demons, so its performance should be good, right? Ah, but, the curse!”
“There is no need to worry. There is no such thing.”
“Is that really true…?”
The jewel embedded in the hilt of the White Sword was also said to have no curse, but it was actually cursed.
Laughing at my half-hearted response, the Demon Lord forcefully handed the Heavenly Thunder Hagoromo to Sefina.
And then, next.
“I almost forgot. Let me return this.”
Saying that, the Demon Lord presented Madrine-sama with the next item. It was the stolen staff.
But that wasn’t all.
The jewel, which the Demon Lord had supposedly shattered, was firmly embedded in it.
And this jewel…
“Here. It’s the jewel where my magic is sealed!”
“So that’s how it is!”
In the deepest part of the heavily sealed treasury were two items besides the Heavenly Thunder Hagoromo: a golden jewel.
This was a fragment of Charlotte’s magic. By stealing the Heavenly Thunder Hagoromo and the golden jewel, Charlotte had regained her sealed power and wielded immense magical power as the “Golden One.”
Well, it was all a charade.
“But, is it really okay?”
I mean, after going through the trouble of breaking the seal and regaining her power, to give it up so easily.
It wasn’t the Demon Lord, but Charlotte who answered my question with a smile.
“It doesn’t matter. You see, it gives me the pleasure of weaving new schemes to steal it again.”
“Uwah, that’s the worst!”
Perhaps true power is excessive for Charlotte, who is loyal to the Giant Demon Lord. Therefore, it might be fine to separate with it when it’s not needed.
But more than that!
As is their nature as demons, deceiving people, toying with them, and plotting to regain their power someday is what they find fun!
This Demon Lord and his aide are not just any great demons…
Even Madrine-sama, looking alternately at the staff, the newly embedded jewel, and Charlotte, her face twitched.
“If we take the staff back like this, won’t it bring great disaster to the Yorttenitos Kingdom…?”
Yes, there’s no doubt about it!
It might not be recovered for years or decades, but surely, someday, the Yorttenitos Kingdom will inevitably be caught up in Charlotte’s schemes, which she considers entertainment.
Then, sensing our anxiety, Charlotte herself made a strange proposal.
“Please rest assured. You see, I cannot touch sacred objects. If you treasure it, I will offer you my protection. I wouldn’t want it to be stolen by some unsavory individual, so I will eliminate anyone who tries to lay hands on it besides myself.”
“But, in doing so, it seems likely to cause even more commotion!”
However, from another perspective, this might strongly protect the Yorttenitos Kingdom, or rather, its temple religion.
Charlotte cannot directly touch the staff. Therefore, she must protect the clergy who possess it from evil people, lest it be stolen by the wicked.
“If Elnea-kun says so… I will treat it with care. Ah, but please stop involving me in conspiracies!”
“You should worry about Elnea. After all, when Charlotte makes her move again, he’s the one who will be manipulated.”
“No, no! I’m not accepting pre-orders for future disturbances!”
With a sense of future unease, I fled the room.
Because I could no longer hold back the urge to urinate!
It goes without saying that Oz desperately chased after me.
In fact, Oz waited dutifully outside the room.
He was probably scared of the Demon Lord and Charlotte!
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