Volume 7 prologue (2/2)

Her joy wasn't something that could be faked.

If it was to appease her throat, I had thought I could ask Aura to make some throat lozenge.

At any rate, it seemed like my other monsters were done with their shopping. Given that, I thought of going back home since it was now unlikely for the other monsters to go overbudget as well.

When I thought of such, I ran into Duke.

”What did you buy, Duke?”

”Just presents for my wife. A cake from that famous pastry shop, some flowers, a bottle of vintage wine, and quality cheese. I was hoping that tonight, my wife and I would be able to enjoy a slow and easy evening as a married couple.”

As expected of a family man.

Duke was considerate not only to his subordinates, but very loving to his wife as well.

Even if only a little, I should try to be like him.

”Do you think I should buy a present for Rorono as well?”

Rorono was the only one among my [Monsters of the Covenant] that was not taken for the last campaign.

The reason she was left behind was because the work of rebuilding the Avalon-Ritters took priority. Furthermore, for the sake of Avalon's defenses, she and her golem corps could not be away as well.

”That's a good idea. It might not look it as Rorono-sama would never voice out her displeasures, but she would not lose out on Kuina-sama in terms of being spoiled and their susceptibility to loneliness. …and if she has any bottled-up stress, I'm afraid she'll need more care than Kuina-sama. She likes sweets, so giving her some might help.”

”Thanks for the insight. I'll take your advice and take a look around.”

”It might be presumptuous of me, but I have a couple of recommendations. First, the shop with the most delicious fresh cream is…”

Like that, Duke listed his most recommended shops.

He was excruciatingly detailed.

When I asked about it, he said ever since he became a dragonewt and acquired the sense of taste, he had taken a liking to sweets and would often eat in such shops together with his wife whenever they had spare time.

After seeing a side to Duke that I was unaware of, I unconsciously smiled. I thought I knew my monsters, but apparently, not enough.

Anyway, I went to a shop recommended by Duke and bought the choux a la crème listed in the shop's signboard.

Its cream's great taste was unlike any other. And with it having a bit of liqueur, it was just perfect for Rorono who had the tendency to overwork herself.

As I walked home, excited to eat what I bought, I felt an impact on my back.

It was a complete surprise attack made by someone small that wore a robe and held a small blade.

However, rather than wound me, the blade shattered.

Thanks to having three S rank monsters as my [Monsters of the Covenant] and my high level, I was as strong as an average S rank monster.

Furthermore, the clothes I wore might seem ordinary, but in fact, it was a specialty item made and enchanted by Rorono using a certain monster's sturdy threads.

A mere human with such a weak knife could never hope to penetrate it.

For this reason, I was confident in roaming alone, unescorted.

At any rate, I seized the attacker's hand.

”What do you think you're doing?”

”L-let, let go of me, you demon! Yes, I know what you are!!”

The attacker was just an elderly woman.

Her level was low and was obviously not trained to fight.

As to why she attacked me, I could not remember doing anything to earn such animosity.

But then, I noticed a peculiarly carved wooden cross around her neck. Right then, I got the gist of things.

Another troublesome harassment…

The golems patrolling the city rushed toward us and then seized the elderly woman.

Whenever a violent event happens, these golems would automatically respond to suppress said violence. Afterwards, they were instructed to deposit the perpetrators to a certain place.

For this one, I had decided to leave the rest to the golems.

I didn't need to interrogate the elderly woman as it was impossible for her to have any significant information.

”Let go! Let go of me, I say! This is tyranny! You've finally shown your true colors! You're no benevolent lord, you're just a demon!”

While the golems were taking her away, the woman shouted such things.

Even so, most of the citizens didn't pay much attention to her words. There were many adventurers in this city and from time to time, they would get out of hand, so the golems carrying someone away wasn't such a rare scene.

The problem, however, was that only most of the citizens didn't pay attention. In other words, a few did.

”This is why I hate religion”

The cross she wore was evidence that she was a believer of the religion that the [Black] Demon Lord founded.

Believers were very useful.

Even if you didn't send a spy to a location, so long as there were zealous believers there and you set it up properly, you could potentially turn them into spies and even assassins against the people they had been living with for so many years.

Based on the way the old woman spoke, believers of their faith were likely told I was a demon to prompt them to try and kill me. She probably isn't the only one that's going try. Truly troublesome.

I was sure that this too was another harassment from the [Black] Demon Lord.

There was perhaps no other Demon Lord better in exploitation and harassment than the [Black] Demon Lord.

By spreading small and yet countless thorns, he could potentially destroy us from within. If left alone for some time, fools could be incited to drive me out and take the city for themselves, while at the same time, something like an uprising within could be started.

”Should I start my own religion?”

Thinking it was a good idea, I began to think up of a plan.

If done right, I might be able to snatch away some of his income. No, it definitely will.

To that end, I should make his believers denounce him and look down on his power.

”Bothering Marcho and Stolas just wasn't enough for you, was it? Now you trouble my Avalon again. I'll show you the price for those things.”

I had reached the end of my patience a long time ago.

He seemed making light of me just because I was a new Demon Lord, but soon enough, he'll know of the true might of the [Creation] Demon Lord.

Note: I don't believe there ever was a conversion rate stated between coins, so I don't know the value of a platinum coin. Also, I don't know how many platinum coins Procell spent so I just decided on one.