Volume 5 Chapter 7 (1/2)

After finishing my persuasion of [Dragon] Demon Lord Astaroth, I had decided to return, for the moment, back to Avalon.

After talking to him, I felt that the reason he agreed so easily to help Marcho was because he really wanted to in the first place and just wanted an excuse. Of course, it also greatly helped that Stolas was beside me. I ended up making use of Astaroth's parental love and his wish of doing one last thing for her.

I had decided that I would wait only one day after returning to Avalon for a reply from the [Time] Demon Lord. If no such letter came by then, I would go to his place for a direct reply. There isn't enough time.

”Procell, I'm also going to help.”

Stolas and I had left Astaroth's dungeon and had just used the Transfer array that led to her dungeon when she suddenly said so.

”Stolas, do you realize what exactly it is you just said?”

I reflexively replied so.

Stolas's abilities were extremely strong and her assistance would surely be appreciated but that wasn't reason enough to include her in this fight. After all, doing so would just give the old Demon Lords an excuse to attack her as well.

”Marchosias-sama is a Demon Lord I admire so I want to help too but besides that…”

Stolas said so and then looked at my direction.

She was surely worrying about me.

It seemed that just like how I wanted to help Marcho, Stolas wanted to help me. Upon such realization, I placed a hand on her head.

”Thank you. Your sentiment alone is enough. Stolas, you should just focus on your own [War].”

”But, Procell, I can fight too!”

”I know that but for this campaign of helping Marcho, I will have to fight with all my might. I can't afford to worry about you too.”

”Are you saying I'm going to be a burden?”

She asked so with a sulky expression on her face.

”Yes. The enemies will be veteran Demon Lords and although you are excellent as a new Demon Lord, you will not be able to match them. Moreover… I don't want to see you getting hurt.”

The moment I said yes, Stolas trembled with anger. However, upon hearing my explanation and perhaps realization that my words were true, she immediately changed her expression into that of frustration.

”…I understand. It's surely as you say: the way I am right now, I don't have enough power to keep up with you. But remember, I worry about you too.”

I was glad that she gave the idea up. If harm ever came her way because I let her lend me a hand, I could never forgive myself.

”I'm going to give up on fighting alongside you but at least let me help.”

She then summoned a monster that was in her [Storage] and it was one of her Covenant monsters.

This particular one had a beyond-normal special ability that could strengthen the entire army it was in. Plus, it also had the ability to instantly build a communication network via telepathy. A monster making use of those two together made one of the strongest commanders.

Such was the angel of wind Rozelitte the Rathgrith who appeared like a beautiful woman with snow-white wings.

”Rozelitte, you are to pretend to be [Creation] Demon Lord Procell's subordinate and gather intelligence as a spy. At all cost, gather information that will lead to my army growing stronger. To avoid being suspected by him, you are to faithfully obey whatever he says.”

”Definitely, Stolas-sama. I, Rozelite, shall pretend to be [Creation] Demon Lord Procell's loyal subordinate.”

Right in front of me, Stolas grandly gave such orders to Rozelitte who was supposed to be her trump card.

”Thank you, Stolas.”

”What are you talking about? I only sent out a spy for my own benefit.”

While saying so, Stolas did the handing over procedures and then extended her hand toward me. When I took and shook it, her Rozelitte then became my monster.

By giving me this monster, she was able to help me without the danger of being in war with the old Demon Lords. In fact, in this situation, this was the only way she could help me.

However, because the monster was now mine, if I felt like it after the war, I could choose not to return it.

As a Demon Lord, this action of hers was a very naïve one but as a friend, it was the greatest support.

”Then I who have fallen for your scheme shall accept this poisonous gift.”

I smiled and accepted her Rozelitte.

This monster who had the ability to strengthen her army as well as the ability to transmit information was surely going to be helpful in this upcoming war.

Stolas then turned her back on me as if to say she wouldn't talk anymore so I decided to just speak while she was like that.

”Stolas, someday, when you're older, you will surely be a fine woman.”

For some reason, those were the words that naturally came out of my mouth. In reaction, her shoulders trembled but only for a moment. She then silently walked to another Transfer array and used it. the moment she was about to disappear, she shouted something:

”Procell, you mothercon!”

I completely had no idea what she meant but strangely, I smiled.

◇

After parting with Stolas, I returned to Avalon, checked up on Rorono regarding her tasks, and then returned to my residence.

There, I had decided to talk with Rozelitte while sipping some black tea.

In order to make full use of her capabilities, I needed to get to know her well enough.

I have looked at her status but knowing that alone wouldn't do; I needed to talk with the person herself.

Race: Rathgrith