Volume 7 Chapter 13 (2/2)

”50! There's still a long way to go!”

”I'll wait for it patiently, then.”

Just as Kuina said, it would take a long time before she could fulfill the requirement.

For the meantime, all I could do is wait, so I'll do just that… then again, there might be something else we can do hasten the process of saving for magic power.

And so, I decided to actively cooperate. After all, it would make my already powerful trump card even stronger.

◇

After a while, we were summoned by the [Time] Demon Lord, so we moved to the room he was in.

There, lined up in the long the table were countless cuisines. It was just like the [Time] Demon Lord to prepare such a feast, but if it was some strange Demon Lord, I would have assumed they were doing a joke that some nobles loved to pull.

”Oto-san, the food looks delicious!”

”Yes, but for some reason, it feels like I've seen these ingredients and dishes before.”

Kuina and Rorono had different reactions.

I knew what Rorono meant, and apparently, the [Time] Demon Lord did too since he spoke to explain.

”I guess it's natural you've noticed. These ingredients were bought by my monsters from Avalon. Avalon sure is great, isn't it? But then again, because it has everything, it's very easy to unintentionally buy too much.”

Many high-class Demon Lords enjoyed human culture, so they always had currencies that humans use at the ready. These were typically from the money and equipment left behind by adventurers who had died within their dungeon.

”Dantalian, thank you for becoming a valued client of our city.”

”I'm just using something that's useful. But do expect my continued patronage.”

At that, we both laughed.

Taking another look around, I saw that his monsters had already taken their seats. By his monsters, I meant Fel and the [Chronos Knights] in humanoid form.

As soon as Fel and I locked eyes, she beckoned me to come closer and then tapped on the vacant seat beside her as though she wanted me to sit there.

I wanted to humor her, but I also wanted to be discreet in front of the [Time] Demon Lord, given that incident with her before.

”What's wrong, Procell? You can sit besides Fel if you want to.”

”Is it really alright?”

”Yeah. So long as you don't cross the line, I have no complaints. If she's happy, I'm happy as well. Or is it that you're concerned about your monsters? Do you want to be seated near your monsters too?”

After pondering for a bit, the [Time] Demon Lord spoke again.

”Fel, why don't you move to the other side? That way, Procell can sit near Kuina and the Elder Dwarf as well.”

”Understood, Father!”

I had noticed it before, but maybe he was actually the type to be considerate of others.

And so, Fel approached and then embraced me. Her wolf tail was wagging in delight.

”Uuuu… Fel-chan, Oto-san is Kuina's Oto-san!”

”But he's also Fel's master!”

It was adorable watching the two glare at each other.

As though he felt the same, Dantalian, chuckled a bit before speaking again.

”Well then, let's eat. Our head chef is a monster, but he's quite skilled in cooking.”

”I can tell just by looking.”

Everything seemed delicious. From the fragrant smell, I was eagerly looking forward to each dish's taste.

And thus, the impromptu feast began.

◇

The dinner, mixed in with idle chatting, was fun.

I ate such fancy cuisines only occasionally, so the dinner was refreshing too.

I typically ate Aura's delicious home cooking and food from bars and cheap restaurants, unless there was a special occasion or something. It wasn't that I had no money, it's more that I didn't have much time. After all, fancy dishes tended to take a lot of time to be cooked and to be eaten.

After finishing our desserts, a special drink was brought out. It was a drink made from cocoa which was the latest trend spreading in Avalon.

As to be expected of the [Time] Demon Lord, he truly had discerning eyes.

Cocoa was just recently imported from a country across the sea. The plan was to make it one of Avalon's flagship products.

I had no doubts that this drink and chocolate, which was made from cocoa, would be hot sellers.

By having a monopoly to those products, we would be able to attract and gather humans from all over the continent even more.

”Well then, Procell, I think it's time to conclude our bet. So, ask whatever it is you want to ask. On my title as the [Time] Demon Lord, I would answer without any falsehoods.”

His demeanor and facial expressions were calm and composed, and yet the atmosphere changed suddenly, thus ending the idle chat around the table.

It was the majesty of a truly great Demon Lord, a quality which neither I nor the [Black] Demon Lord possessed.

”I want you to tell me about the [Black] Demon Lord. You've once expressly warned me to not underestimate him. I'd like to hear your exact reason as to why.”

The [Time] Demon Lord crossed his arms and pondered for a while before giving an answer.

”Hmm, let's see, how do I put it? You're aware that—save for some exceptions—the more versatile a Demon Lord's abilities are, the weaker its effects tended to be, yes? Conversely, the more specialized one's abilities are, the stronger its effects tended to be. Let's take Marcho's [Beast] as an example, shall we? Other than strengthening her body's capabilities, it held no other functions and almost no use outside of combat. On the other hand, it's safe to say that there's no Demon Lord that could go toe to toe with her in direct combat.”

Even I was aware of what he just explained.

”The [Black] Demon Lord's abilities fall under the versatile type. However, one of his abilities is much, much stronger than the rest. It's actually enough for me to be wary of him and avoid any confrontations. What it does is…”

The [Time] Demon Lord continued and explained to me what that ability was.

”I see. Hence, the silver watch?”

The [Time] Demon Lord had once given me a silver watch as a reward. It wasn't any ordinary silver watch though; it was actually a magic tool of the highest order for it contained within it his own abilities.

”I hope you're not so naïve as to think that that much will be enough. If it was, I, the owner of the abilities held within, wouldn't be so wary of that man. However, I do think it will lead to a breakthrough. Now then, I look forward to your display of skill.”

The [Time] Demon Lord said so and then laughed.

Without any doubts, he had provided me with valuable information. Had I not been I aware of this knowledge, I would have certainly been taken out without any sort of resistance.

So, this is what it's like to fight with old Demon Lords.

”Thank you. It's thanks to this information that I have any chance of winning.”

”No need to thank me. I am just honoring our bet.”

After that, we returned to idle chatter.

In a round about manner, the [Time] Demon Lord asked me about Marcho. Looking at him while he asked so made me giggle a bit.

I guess we should have another feast with everyone, Marcho included.

While thinking of such, I thanked the [Time] Demon Lord again and then departed.

Now that I knew the enemy's hand, it was possible to make the necessary precautions and counter-measures. Of course, the enemy could very well be doing the same.

Alright, we're now on equal footing. The real fight begins now.