We live at the foothills of Dragon Peak.
The long autumn nights.
As we were talking, the night had already gotten quite late.
And so, thanks to the Demon Lord’s consideration, or rather, his threat of, “You, stay the night. You won’t refuse, will you?”, we ended up staying a night at the detached palace.
Well, the detached palace is broken due to various circumstances, so it might be more accurate to call it the ruins of a detached palace.
Still, though. For me, it was just another ordinary day. But I wonder, what kind of day was it for Listea, Slaton, Alex, and Louvent?
Listea and Slaton are seasoned adventurers. Even so, it’s their first time in a Demon Race’s country, and they’re already caught up in this huge commotion on the first day.
As for Alex, he was brought deep into the heart of a country ruled by a hostile race.
“Seriously. I never imagined we’d end up sleeping outdoors at the Demon Lord’s detached palace.”
“It can’t be helped. Louvent went berserk and broke it.”
“Elnea, the way you say that, it makes it sound like Louvent destroyed the detached palace by himself!”
“Hahaha. Th-that’s just your imagination, Listea!”
“My retainer caused trouble. I apologize again and again.”
“Alex, it’s fine. The Demon Lord isn’t holding it against us, so please don’t worry about it. However, we’ll need to be careful from now on.”
“That’s right, I’ll make sure to lecture Louvent properly. From tomorrow, we’ll be heading into uncharted territory for you as well.”
And so, we’re camping out in a corner of the broken detached palace.
If things were normal, this place where we’re preparing to sleep would have walls and a ceiling, and we would have been able to spend the night comfortably.
But now, only a few pillar remnants stand, and it had become an open space exposed to the autumn wind.
“Oof. It’s certainly getting cold at night.”
As Slaton said this, he took out a thick blanket from his luggage and wrapped himself in it.
Listea and Alex also took out the necessary tools and equipment from their respective luggage.
For me, I just entrust my large luggage to Ares-chan’s mysterious space, but generally speaking, Listea and the others are more normal.
Thinking about it like that, I really appreciate how useful Ares-chan is.
“Can Nyan also be useful?”
“Yes. Sleeping wrapped up in the grown-up Nimia is comfortable even in winter.”
“Hey, wait a minute! It’s not fair if only you get to do that!”
“That’s right, I agree with Slaton. It’s unfair if only you get to sleep all warm and cozy?”
“B-but!?”
With Slaton and Listea’s rebellion, my plan for a good night’s sleep was thwarted. So, I had no choice but to ask Ares-chan to get me a thick blanket, just like Slaton.
“So, what about tonight’s watch?”
“Watch?”
I tilted my head at Slaton’s suggestion.
“I don’t think a watch is necessary. After all, the Demon Lord and Charlotte are here.”
“No, no, are you an idiot? That’s precisely why it’s necessary! The Demon Lord and his confidante are nearby, so how can you not be vigilant?”
“Ah, now that you mention it! Normally, this would be a terrifying situation, right!?”
“I’m worried your thinking is becoming corrupted by the Demon Race.”
“Listea, don’t worry, it’s fine!”
Still, I really don’t think a watch is necessary.
The reason for that is, again, because the Demon Lord and Charlotte are nearby.
After all, they are two of the most powerful individuals among the Demon Race. What’s the point of being vigilant in front of the Demon Lord and Charlotte?
The moment the Demon Lord or Charlotte plots something evil or harbors killing intent, no matter how vigilant we are, we’ll be swallowed by their schemes.
But, I know that a sense of psychological security is also sometimes necessary.
“Well then, I’ll take the watch duty. You all have come to an unfamiliar land, so please rest comfortably first.”
“Then, I shall take you up on your offer, Elnea.”
Alex draped a blanket over Louvent, who hadn’t woken up, then sat him down and closed his eyes.
I wonder if he’s going to sleep like that?
Listea and Slaton also wrapped themselves in blankets and lay down in suitable spots.
As I quietly watched over them, I soon began to hear their sleeping breaths.
It seems the thoughts I had earlier were unnecessary for the three of them.
It was certainly a hectic day, but this is just the beginning of our journey to revive the Holy Sword. Perhaps Listea and the others understand this, as they overcame today without losing their composure.
“Alright, then, I think I’ll go for a walk.”
“Nyan.”
“Nimia, aren’t you going to sleep?”
“Night owl, nyan.”
“We can’t afford to overdo it tomorrow, as we have work to do, you know?”
“Nyan.”
Without waking Listea and the others, Nimia and I got up. And then, we set out for a casual walk without a specific destination.
Soon after, the spirits, lively even at night, floated towards us.
“Is it going to be a commotion again, nyan?”
“No, no! Restrain yourselves!”
“Are you telling Elnea-onii-chan to restrain himself, nyan?”
“Grrr.”
But, our worries were shattered as expected.
Yes, by the absolute ruler of this land.
“Staying up late, you seem to have quite a lot of free time?”
“Demon Lord, good evening. It’s not free time, exactly. But it’s good timing.”
“I refuse.”
“I haven’t even said anything yet, or even thought anything!”
Was the Demon Lord also out for a stroll at night?
The appearance of the Demon Lord, who came by casually, made the spirits that had gathered start to flee.
The spirits are scared of the Demon Lord too!
“As a ruler, it’s more convenient to be feared.”
“But don’t you get lonely? I think it’s more fun to have lots of friends than to be feared.”
“That’s a thought that comes from someone who is free. Friends are certainly necessary, but a ruler needs power the most. Fear, knowledge, money, anything. In short, a ruler cannot function without exceptional ‘power.'” “But you didn’t come here to hear about ruling, did you?”
“Yes, that’s right. Hey, could you give back the White Sword soon?”
The Demon Lord looked down at my left waist, where I was pleading.
My left waist, which had no White Sword or Curse Power Sword, was empty.
While reviving Listea’s Holy Sword is important, I also need to get my White Sword back.
For some reason, Charlotte said that Listea’s journey might end at the next destination. Thinking about that, getting the White Sword back seems like a bigger challenge.
After all, it was the Demon Lord who took the White Sword. I wonder what he will say or make me do in return for its return.
The Demon Lord silently looked down at my left waist.
Then, a wicked smile spread across his face.
Yes, I have a bad feeling about this!
“You must learn what it means to be inconvenienced.”
As he said this, the Demon Lord resumed his night stroll.
I placed Nimia on top of my head and followed him.
“You’ve grown rapidly over the past few years. Along with that, you’ve obtained many convenient things.”
“Like Grandpa’s wisdom, and the blessings of the Spirit Tree! And also, the cooperation of everyone in my family! Was the White Sword one of them?”
“It wasn’t just that. Lily, the Tyrant, and also the daughter of that Snow Dragon there.”
“That’s right, thanks to Nimia, we were able to come here so easily.”
“Nyan.”
If Nimia, who could freely fly through the sky, weren’t there. Listea and the others would have taken many years just to cross Dragon Peak, and would have experienced many life-threatening situations. Nimia’s wings, which allowed us to fly over it in just one day, are immeasurable.
“However, you can’t always enjoy those benefits. You need to experience that inconvenience.”
“Then, the White Sword…?”
“Kukuku. For you right now, it will be an inconvenience without much suffering, won’t it? It’s perfectly fine as an initial trial.”
“Muuu, but I’m really troubled.”
How many times have I wished I had the White Sword? But according to the Demon Lord, it’s an inconvenience without much suffering.
“Eventually, you’ll return the Spirit Tree to the earth, won’t you?”
“Yes, that’s my intention.”
I’ve already decided on the location.
“Then, get used to it while you can. To a situation where your trusted weapon is not in hand, and other inconveniences. It’s nothing difficult. After all, you have substitutes and reliable people, don’t you?”
In place of not having the White Sword, I do possess the Soul Spirit Seat. And instead of not being able to contact Lily or having Revalia around, Nimia is by my side.
It’s not just that. Instead of family, I can cooperate with Listea and Alex.
Indeed, it’s inconvenient compared to usual, but I’m not so troubled that my spirit is crushed.
The Demon Lord tells me to experience these inconveniences and difficulties now.
Perhaps, in the future, I might experience true inconvenience and difficulty. I might need to prepare for that time and develop the ability to respond flexibly.
“You understand well. Then, you already know the answer I will give, don’t you?”
“Sniffle, is that so? You’re not going to return it?”
Seeing me look dejected, the Demon Lord laughed gleefully.
“…Then, one more thing. You know about the Demon Lord, of course, and the Evil Race, right?”
“I know. What, did you encounter some of the Evil Race? They’re as troublesome as usual.”
“It’s not like I encountered them by choice! Still, I’m in trouble. It seems the Evil Race has been appearing in the Armēdo Kingdom.”
“That’s unfortunate. Just let them be annihilated.”
“What if the country is destroyed if we leave the Evil Race unchecked!?”
“If an Evil Race can speak human language, it would likely destroy a Human Race country.”
“From what I’ve heard, it’s said to be a giant snake, but it doesn’t speak human language, does it?”
“I don’t know. I haven’t seen it myself.”
“Waaaah, this is bad. I have to contact Micheila and the others quickly! Do you know where Micheila and the others are, Demon Lord? They were staying in the Forbidden Territory until recently and should have traveled westward.”
Surely, Mistral and the others who saw us off must be moving to deal with the Evil Race.
But we can’t afford to be negligent. Even a rat-like Evil Race was immune to Mistral’s attacks.
Ideally, we’d join them, but we need to revive Listea’s Holy Sword.
But what if the Armēdo Kingdom is destroyed in the meantime!
The Evil Race is a more terrifying existence than I ever imagined.
In that case, at least, I have to contact Micheila and the others and deal with it as quickly as possible. However, the Demon Lord, who read my thoughts, removed his mischievous smile and offered advice instead of advice.
“Micheila, was it? I told you to experience inconvenience earlier, but the most important part of that is not to rely on them too much. If you depend on them, you’ll stop your own growth.”
“But you told me to rely on them when it comes to the Evil Race?”
“For now, rely on them. But it’s paramount that you eventually become able to defeat them with your own strength.”
It seems the Demon Lord doesn’t think very highly of Micheila and the others.
Come to think of it, neither of them tried to contact us during our wedding ceremony.
“Well, I’ll look for them. But don’t expect much. Just because they headed west doesn’t mean they traveled on foot. If they used spatial transfer, they could already be at the western edge of the continent.”
“Now that you mention it, that’s true…”
Then, perhaps we have to deal with it ourselves.
In that case, we have to revive the Holy Sword as soon as possible and return.
Ideally, I wanted to get the White Sword back here too…
How can I get the Demon Lord to return the White Sword?
Perhaps by the time our journey to revive the Holy Sword ends, he’ll return it, seeing as I’ve experienced inconvenience?
Knowing the Demon Lord, he probably has some other ulterior motive.
At any rate, we have no choice but to proceed in the direction indicated.
While I was taking a night stroll with the Demon Lord, Nimia had already fallen asleep.
With Nimia on my head, I leisurely walked through the mystical landscape.
