Volume 5 Chapter 8 (2/2)

”Be that as it may, what do I stand to gain from all this?”

”The peace of mind that the woman you love is alive and well.”

”Even if I helped, she will still only have less than half of a year left to live. So, for that half year, tell me why I should cooperate with a rival.”

I had expected such a response so I had an answer prepared.

”If you truly love someone, I believe you will want them to live longer, even if for only half a year more. I truly do believe that and that's why I'm willing to risk my life as well as bow my head to you. If someone thinks that the half a year left to Marcho is meaningless, then I think that fellow doesn't have the right to even say he loves her. I will never approve of him.”

I stopped bothering with polite speech and chose to be frank with my feelings in order to convey the truth.

Half a year might be short for someone who had a long life of three hundred years but I refused to believe that that span of time was meaningless.

I had only known Marcho for less than a year and yet even I thought so. There was no way that he who had loved her for centuries wouldn't think that.

”You're such a romantic Demon Lord, aren't you?”

”I don't want to be hear that from a Demon Lord that made a daughter using a combination their own and Marcho's medals.”

From a while now, the Celestial Wolf that looked like Kuina was fuming as she sent menacing looks at me. It might have seemed to her that I was harassing her father.

”Really now, whenever I look at you, I am reminded of that fellow that isn't here anymore. A man who is pointlessly confident and always collected on the outside but hot-blooded on the inside. Yeah, insufferable. But just the kind of man that Marcho is weak to. … Ohh, I see. Is that why that stubborn old man has expectations of you?”

He spoke so in a strangely nostalgic and somewhat lonely voice.

”[Creation] Demon Lord Procell, you're on the right track—provoking me, riling up my emotions, and telling me of your resolve— but I'm afraid it's not enough to change my refusal of helping you. ”

This stubborn man.

I gulped down such words before they got out of my mouth.

So finally it's time to play the best hand I have.

”I see. Then, how about if I added another condition? If you cooperate with me, I can make Marcho live longer than that half a year left to her and therefore give you more time with her. I know that you've been extending your own lifespan and that you've been persuading her to do the same.”

On the day I last met with Marcho, I had offered her my [Rebirth] but her reply to me was: I'll tell you what I told that guy. I have no desire for an immortal life.

Even back then, I was convinced that the other guy Marcho was referring to was none other than the [Time] Demon Lord.

”I see but I have always been turned down whenever I propose it. Are you saying you can somehow persuade her to accept my power when I have failed many times before?”

That was another way to go but one that I couldn't really choose since Marcho had been adamant on turning down his offers.

”Not exactly but I am going to prolong her life. Just that it's going to be through my own powers. After all, what's important is the she's alive and as long as she lives, you'll have the chance to impress her. That chance is the best I have to offer to you. Now, choose, [Time] Demon Lord: will you cooperate with me or not??”

Ever since I got here, this was the first time the [Time] Demon Lord showed dismay.

He knew about my [Rebirth].

There was also no doubt in my mind that he had gathered enough intelligence to know that it was the ability I used on my [War] against the three Demon Lords.

”Are you sure you can make her say yes even though each time I asked she had said no?”

”If it's me, I'm sure she'll agree.”

I looked him straight in the eye and declared so.

This was a vow between men.

Marcho herself might not have wished to live longer but I did.

”Fuu, good grief. If maybe I was as pushy as you, she probably would have changed her mind already. I guess I should change in that regard. Anyway, if you can do it, I would indeed have more time with her. Very well, I will cooperate with you.”

”Thank you, Dantalian.”

”However, are you sure about letting me, a rival, into your dungeon while you're away? You do realize I can do whatever I want, should I choose to.”

I smiled slightly at the scenario I knew he wouldn't do.

”What I'm sure of is that you wouldn't stand in the way of my attempt to help Marcho. Besides, I'm not really a rival. I love Marcho but not in a romantic way.”

We were similar but also different. Unlike him, my feelings were not of the romantic nature.

That being said, what I was offering to him wasn't Marcho herself, only the chance to court her. I had no right on the former.

”I see. Well, whatever. Here are two gifts for you.”

He said so and handed a medal to me. Upon receiving it, I checked the details on the said medal.

{[King] medal: A Rank. Boosts (Medium) all abilities except for Special. Grants charisma and leadership qualities to the monster.}

”What's this for?”

”That medal will work well with Marcho. I'm giving this to you to prevent you from using any strange medal on her. Now, the other one,”

He said so and then gave the back of the Celestial Wolf standing beside him a push.

”I'm going to entrust you with this Celestial Wolf. This child will surely be of help to you.”

”Wait, what about the previously imposed rule?”

”I'll probably receive a penalty for this but no matter, this child is undoubtedly born for a situation such as this.”

In my previous [War] with other Demon Lords, because there were new Demon Lords that had been given monsters solely for them to gain advantage in the said [War], a new rule was put into effect.

Due to this, old Demon Lords were prohibited from giving monsters to new Demon Lords even if those new Demon Lords weren't their ward. Violating this rule had corresponding penalties.

Even so, the [Time] Demon Lord was choosing to hand over his Celestial Wolf.

”Father, Ce-celestial Wolf is”

”Go, Celestial Wolf. Go and help your mother.”

”Understood! And after helping mother, Celestial Wolf is going to return to Father's side right away!”

With reluctance on her face, she looked at the [Time] Demon Lord while she was heading my way.

”I'll be in your care, [Creation] Demon Lord.”

After she said so, she pouted and turned away.

It seems it'll be a little hard to handle this girl.

However…

”Yay ♪! Kuina's little sister!”

”Uu-, get away, get away from me!”

The moment the Celestial Wolf became my monster, Kuina came to hug her. It seemed Kuina was completely pleased with the Celestial Wolf.

”[Creation] Demon Lord Procell, I have tolerated you thus far but in the event that you fail to save Marcho and in the event that you break your promise, know that I will absolutely not forgive you. No matter the means, no matter the penalties, I will make you pay.”

”Of course. I'll show you I can definitely help her.”

The [Time] Demon Lord and I both laughed. With this, I could focus with all of my might on helping Marcho.

After three days, I was set to head to Marcho's dungeon with all of my forces. I'm definitely going to help her.

Note: Much like Kuina, the Celestial Wolf refers to herself using her name, or in this case, her race name. I might use Tenrou (which means the same) for simplicity starting next chapter.

Also, a reminder: No spoilers! At least make them sound like you’re guessing.