Volume 6 Chapter 9 (1/2)
A lot of things happened but we have successfully finished the party.
The guests were able to get a taste of the charms of the Avalon I have built.
…I was also forgiven by the [Time] Demon Lord for the traitorous thing I did.
It was all thanks to his kindness. However, as he had suggested, I intended to pay back this debt of gratitude someday.
”That's pretty much it. Was it helpful? Did you learn anything from it?”
As of the moment, I was in a guest room telling Stolas about my experiences on war thus far.
It was required of us new Demon Lord to experience [War] at least once within the year.
I had already cleared such a requirement but Stolas was only about to experience her first one and thus requested that I give her some advice.
There were currently three people in the room: me, Stolas, and Rozelitte, the angel-type monster that Stolas lent to me.
”Yeah, thank you, Procell, it was very helpful.”
Stolas said so and then stretched.
When she did so, my eyes were drawn into her unusually white nape.
She was currently wearing a silk pajama she bought here in Avalon. Its texture was great and it was undeniably a first-class item. She had tried it on and liked it so much that she bought duplicates.
”It was my pleasure.”
When I said so, a Mythological Fox serving as a housekeeper brought in black tea.
”These are good tea leaves. It's very calming.”
”It's actually my favorite. A lot of things can trouble a Demon Lord, after all. I'll prepare some for you as a gift.”
”Thanks. Fufu, you're so kind, Procell.”
It was the first time for us to make small talk and I felt strangely tensed.
”Well, this is the only way for me to return the favor I owe you, you see. I'd like you make you a happier, even if by only a little.”
When I was challenged into a [War] by three other Demon Lords, Stolas acted as my insurance and stood guard in my crystal room.
And at such a crucial time where I decided to go on a campaign to save Marcho, she lent me Rozelitte who was one of her [Monsters of the Covenant]—one of her trump cards—regardless of the risk of losing her should I fail.
”Hey, Procell, I…”
Stolas began saying something but then stopped.
To disguise the fact that she did so, she pretended to drink her black tea.
Looking at such a Stolas, Rozelitte shrugged her shoulders and sighed my, my.
”It's because you're so half-and-half that Procell-sama is snatched away by someone else. Now, go all out, push him down, and be one with him.”
”Pfft, w-w-whatever are you talking about?”
With a red face, Stolas sprayed out her black tea and said so.
”This is what I'm talking about, master. Well, it is cute as well though.”
The two acted totally like sisters.
When I thought so, I unconsciously let out a slight smile.
”Rozelittle, this is goodbye. Our time might have been short but it was fun.”
”I should be the one saying that; I've learned a lot. I've actually been taking some lessons from Wight-san and I intend to use my newly acquired knowledge to make Stolas-sama even more powerful.”
She sure is shrewd and dependable. As long as she's around, Stolas should be fine.
While thinking so, I did the procedures for transferring monsters and then extended my hand toward Stolas. Upon Stolas grabbing it, the transfer would be complete and control over Rozelitte would be returned her.
Just like with Fel, I was about to part with Rozelitte as well.
”Procell, thank you for training Rozelitte. Though you might someday regret making your rival stronger.”
Not making the other person feel indebted to her was a good trait of hers.
”I'll be careful not to let it come to that. I would like us to continue to be rivals, Stolas. Racing against one another to be a first-class Demon Lord and whatnot. I'd rather there be no bloodshed among us though.”
I wanted to avoid a fight to the death with her because win or lose, it would leave a bitter aftertaste in my mouth.
”Yeah, I'd also like us to compete against each other but without us killing each other. …oh, I'll grab your hand, now.”
Stolas and I had the same sentiments.
She then grabbed my extended hand and thus completed the transfer of Rozelitte back to her.
”Stolas-sama, I'm back.”
”Welcome back, Rozelitte.”
The two said so and then embraced.
Parting with Rozelitte might have been lonesome but, as one would expect, by Stolas's side was where she belonged.
”Procell, I'm heading back to my room. I really enjoyed this day.”
”Oh my, Stolas-sama, you're not going to sleep in Procell-sama's room tonight?”
”It's much too soon for that. Not that that will ever happen. Anyway, we're going.”
”See you tomorrow, Procell-sama! You should make a move on Stolas-sama. She's the ideal candidate to cure you of your weird fetishes in no time!”
””That's none of your business!””
Stolas and I both retorted so.
We aren't in that kind of relationship.
”Say, Procell, I was wondering, if you have the time, do you want to watch my [War]? There's no way my fighting force would lose but your moral support would be appreciated.”
”Sure. I guess should watch you fight from your crystal room, just like you did in my war. But wouldn't this put me in a very advantageous position? Being able to see for myself the scope of your fighting force and all.”
I returned to her the words she said to me back then so that I would not feel overly thankful.
Upon hearing it, she smiled wryly.
Aside from being head and shoulders above other new Demon Lords, Stolas was the bearer of an A rank medal. There was no way she would lose.
I could lend her one of my monsters to further secure victory but I knew her pride would not allow that. And so, it was my decision that I would just watch her fight and act only when her opponents were trying to do some foul play like mine did. To that end, I had preparations to do.
◇
Stolas and Rozelitte left, leaving me alone in the room.
I was lying on the bed, totally exhausted. Exhausted not physically but mentally.
”Master, I'm coming in.”
”Yeah, enter.”
Rorono the Elder Dwarf asked so and then entered the room.
Each night, one of my [Monsters of the Covenant] slept with me. They had dubbed so their Father's Day.
Of course, when I said they slept with me, I meant it in its literal meaning. I was not a lolicon and these girls were my daughters. I don't have any abnormal fetishes whatsoever.
”My reward starts now. Until tomorrow evening, father would be together with just me. Also, from now until my reward ends, I'll keep calling you father.”
Rorono said so and then gave her usual reserved smile. Upon seeing that smile, all my tiredness faded away.
”Understood. As promised, after we see Stolas off, the two of us are going outside.”
What Rorono asked for her reward was my time.
To be more specific, a full day spent only with her.
If I were to give Wight his name, I would lose my magic power for a long time. While in that state, going outside was not advisable and so, I had decided to grant Rorono's reward first.