Volume 2 Chapter 9 (1/2)

After flying on top of the Griffon, we finally arrived at Marcho’s dungeon.

I managed to stop myself from immediately laying down a [Transfer] magical array. Doing so at another’s dungeon was like looking for a backdoor one could enter anytime and thus, it was considered impolite to do so, to say the least, without first obtaining the other Demon Lord’s permission.

As soon as we entered the dungeon, the Succubus we were familiar with greeted us and used her own [Transfer] to transport us to where Marcho was.

◇

And the place we were transported to was Marcho’s crystal room. Sitting in a throne in that room was the brown-skinned bewitching beauty with a wolf’s ears and tail.

She was dressed riskier than usual but it didn’t feel strange or indecent to me due to the grace she held.

“Welcome back, Procell. From the look on your face, I take it your inspection went well.”

Marcho looked a little bit lonely as she spoke. Was she perhaps reluctant to see me go?

“Yes, it did. That place has satisfied all the necessary conditions to build the city.”

Marcho smiled and giggled at that.

“The first time I heard your dream…… I will build not a dungeon that will prey on the humans’ desire and despair but a city that will house many of them and then provide me their happiness as my meal, the first time I heard it, I thought you were kidding or something but I didn’t think you were really going through with it. You never do fail to amaze me.”

“It wasn’t a joke. I’ll make it into the best city, no matter what.”

“I have no doubt you will. You are, after all, the kind of man that does what he says he’ll do. And now, I’ve seen you do so. You’ve become a really fine man.”

The mood then turned gloomy and such a mood wasn’t for us. As I thought that, Marcho then cleared her throat, probably an effort to change the flow of the conversation.

“That one behind you, I’ve seen that one if I’m not mistaken. Is it Dantalian’s?”

“He gave it to me. A monster that could use Transfer is helpful so I accepted.”

“I’m sure you’re already aware but that one’s watching you. I’m surprised he’d go this far against a newly born Demon Lord. You should be proud.”

She didn’t say that just out of flattery. The [Time] Demon Lord was such a powerful Demon Lord, merely catching his attention in itself was an achievement.

“Yes, I aware that this monster’s keeping tabs on me but I have no problems with being watched so why not make use of it in the meanwhile?”

“Yes, what a good determination you have. Well then, if you are indeed going to make use of that monster, you may as well go and place a Transfer magical array within my dungeon. That way, it’ll be a little bit easier for you to come and visit me, right? Are you going to move out today?”

“That’s the plan. I’ve already built my city and I can’t be away from it for too long.”

To be away from one’s own dungeon was generally not a good idea.

Also, Kuina was eagerly waiting for our return.

“Is that so? I’ll miss you, you know…… I’d like to give you a gift but unfortunately, we, the parents, are forbidden to give you new Demon Lords anything aside from your starting DP and 3 original medals. I hope you can forgive me for that.”

“There is nothing to forgive. You have already given me a lot; I’m truly thankful. In fact, I should be the one to give you a gift.”

I used [Creation] and produced a diamond necklace. Without it being overlarge, it was an elegant and finely decorated necklace.

The shaping of the diamonds themselves into these faceted gems—otherwise known as diamond cutting which was done in order to bring out the diamonds’ true appeal—could not be replicated by anyone else using this world’s technology. It was a present that only one person in the world could give: me.

I approached Marcho and put the diamond necklace on her neck.

“These gems will continue to emit their radiance without any change even when a hundred or a thousand years has passed. Just like how our friendship will not change even when I move out and become independent. I will never forget the favors and kindness you’ve given me. Let this present be a testament to all that.”

Who I was at the moment was all thanks to her. She went above and beyond than what was expected of her as my parent.

“…Oh, Procell. How can I not cry after telling me such pleasant things? And I haven’t cried in the past century, you know.”

She smiled as tears flowed down her face.

“I might be forbidden to give you anything tangible but I’ll still give you a little something.”

Marcho stood, approached me, and then leaned on the left side of my body. Her voluminous breasts changed their shapes as she did so. Her fragrant scent was the kind that would drive men into madness.

And then, I felt her soft lips on my cheek.

“How is it, Procell? Did you like my gift?”

I was stupefied for a moment. My head felt so hot, I thought it was going to melt.

“Thanks, Marcho. It’s the best.”

“I’m glad you liked it. Do you now regret not accepting my invitation the other day?”

Truth be told, I had always wanted to say yes to her and this time wasn’t an exception. In the end though, I chose not to.

“A little but I have to go soon. Thanks for everything.”

“I should be the one saying that. It’s been fun. I’ve forgotten about my loneliness while you were here. Come visit me anytime, Procell.”

“Yes, I intend to do so. I’ll invite you as soon as I’ve grown my city enough to receive you. I’m going to give you the grandest welcome that I can give.”

“I’ll be looking forward to it, then. I’m sure you can make me happy to the utmost.”

I then turned around and felt her gaze on me.

“But in the end, I wanted to say one little complain. Giving me who will soon vanish something that will forever remain radiant, isn’t that a little cruel?”

I didn’t turned around and Marcho didn’t expect me to either. They were those kind of words.

I looked at my palm as I walked.

I thought about the bonus I received during the side show I participated in together with Stolas.

Originally, it was a power that could only be used twice for saving my monsters or for strengthening them. However, it might also be possible to use it to extend Marcho’s life.

…but that would contradict logic. That might be why Marcho had warned me that it was dangerous ability.

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After my conversation with Marcho, I went to the residential area we were using.

In there, Wight and the Dwarf Smiths were busy working.

“My lord, you’ve returned.”