Volume 6 Chapter 13 (1/2)

I rode on the monster Stolas sent to pick me up and headed to her dungeon.

The monster she sent was a high-ranking griffon.

If I was as my previous self, I wouldn’t have been able to see the stats of a high-rank monster belonging to another Demon Lord. However, as I was at the moment, thanks to the drastic level ups I had in the Marcho rescue campaign, I was sure I could see the stats of up to A rank monsters.

Race: Storm Griffon

B rank

Level: 58

Physical Strength: B

Endurance: B

Agility: A

Magic: D

Luck: D

Special: D

Skills:

Overseer of Wind

Herculean Strength

One who conquers the storm

High-speed Flight

The Storm Griffon was a monster with excellent close-range capabilities as well as excellent flight performance.

It seemed to me to be quite easy to use.

Unsurprisingly, because it was a high-ranking griffon, perhaps its best feature was that it was comfortable to ride.

If it was in terms of speed alone, the Darkness Dragons in charge of Avalon’s airways could match the Storm Griffon, but in terms of comfortability, it could not. As a means of transportation, this was the better one.

While I thought of such, I travelled in the sky.

For today, I travelled alone. It has been some time since I went outside without any monsters attending to me. To be honest, it was a bit lonely.

That being said, through my [Storage], I had insurances prepared.

◇

After a while, I arrived in her dungeon.

As ever, her dungeon was an orthodox one. Her aesthetic sense was on display at the front of her dungeon.

Still riding on the griffon, I was led deeper into the dungeon. After some time, I arrived not at her crystal room but at a guest room she had prepared.

The room was calming and beautiful. It was a room that was undoubtedly hers.

“Procell, you came.”

Stolas smiled and said so.

“Of course. I promised, didn’t I? besides, it’s a friend’s big event; I want to be of help.”

“Fufu. That encouragement is just like you. I guess I’ll have to do my best then.”

I’m glad she’s pleased.

At any rate, there was another person in the room I had to greet: the [Dragon] Demon Lord.

“It’s been a while, [Dragon] Demon Lord Astaroth-sama.”

“Yes, though I didn’t expect for us to meet again so soon.”

“I came here today support Stolas.”

“Hmm, what a fine bond you two share. As for myself, I came here to give her encouragement. Unlike you, I have to return before the [War] begins.”

Such protectiveness. There aren’t a lot of parents that love their child that much.

“Procell, I leave Stolas in your care.”

He said so and then shot me a meaningful glance.

It was just my guess but I thought that he was perhaps aware of the [Black] Demon Lord’s actions.

It’s not so unbelievable for him to know even if I don’t say anything as he should have eyes and ears everywhere.

“Yes, I’ll take care of her. I will protect my friend.”

“A fine answer. It’s nice to know someone will be there for her, given that I don’t have much freedom to act at the moment.”

At present, the [Dragon] Demon Lord was at war with a coalition of nations.

By attacking the sacred city for the religion founded by the [Black] Demon Lord, Astaroth made enemies of the human nations.

While he might currently have the upper hand, the human beings’ numbers and resources were also quite formidable, to the point that he would be too busy with them for a while.

“[Dragon] Demon Lord, if ever you need help, just say the word and I’ll be there.”

“No need, no need. I am strong, after all. Plus, I already have a faction of reliable Demon Lords at my side.”

“Please forgive my presumptuousness.”

“No, I’m actually glad about your sentiments. However, rather than worry about me, worry about Stolas.”

I strongly nodded.

After all, right now, I’m the only one capable of helping her.

“Of course. She’s an important friend, after all. …while I have the chance, let me give you the medal I promised.”

In exchange for helping me save Marcho, I promised the [Dragon] Demon Lord to give him my [Creation] medal. However, since a Demon Lord could only make a medal—through the use of [Discharge]— once a month, I wasn’t able to give him a medal back then. Now that a month’s time had passed since the last medal I made and now that my Demon Lord powers have returned to me even though my magic power has not, I could finally give him the promised medal.

“That’s the [Creation] medal? It’s a really good medal, isn’t it? Rather than give it to me, please hand it over to Stolas.”

“If that’s what you wish, then that’s what I’ll do.”

After my war with the three new Demon Lords, all old Demon Lords—the parent or not—were thereafter forbidden to give medals, DP, and monsters to us new Demon Lords.

If the [Dragon] Demon Lord accepted my medal, he would then be unable to give it to Stolas.

Thus, he instructed me to hand it directly to her.

“[Dragon] Demon Lord Astaroth-sama, that medal’s something you obtained from a deal with Procell. I do not have any right to take it.”

“You are correct, Stolas. However, know that a father wants to leave behind as much as possible to their child. And an S rank monster at that, even if it’s just one, would be something else. Stolas, I’m aware of your pride, but for the sake of profiting, there’s a need for you to learn to crush that pride of yours from time to time. That, and also to learn to be more accepting of your father’s love.”

[Dragon] Demon Lord Astaroth said so and then gave Stolas a gentle smile.

Stolas opened her mouth only to close it again. And then, with a look of determination in her eyes, she spoke.

“…thank you. Father.”

Stolas raised her head and was then patted there by the [Dragon] Demon Lord.

Their bond was dazzling.

“And so, if you please, Procell.”

“Understood. Stolas, please accept this.”

After being prompted, I handed over the [Creation] medal to Stolas.

“Thank you, Father. Thank you Procell. I’m going to use this medal wisely.”

Considering that it was her, I thought there was no chance that the medal which contained the sentiments of both myself and the [Dragon] Demon Lord would be wasted.

“Well then, I should going back. If all stays normal, there’s little chance you’ll lose, Stolas. On top of being talented, your conceit—your sole weakness—is gone after you met Procell. Other than him, there’s no one among the new Demon Lords who could beat you. …That is, if no boorish fellow interferes.”

Accepting her flaws, Stolas looked straight into the [Dragon] Demon Lord’s eyes.

For them that much was enough; no other words were needed to be said.

With that, the [Dragon] Demon Lord left.

◇