Volume 7 Chapter 18 (2/2)

”Alright, we ate some like you asked. Now, mind telling me why you're in Avalon?”

”…I, well, after our [War] with you, I've been to many towns. I don't have my Demon Lord powers anymore, so I had to frighten and terrorize humans myself. I tried my best, I really did… but I just wasn't strong enough. I've lost count of how many times I almost got myself killed… And then, I remembered you, Procell, and what you said… that you make humans happy instead of frightening them. So, I thought I'd tried it myself. That way, I could get emotions with less risks of being killed.”

Ronove replied so, shyly and in bits and pieces.

If one's crystal was broken, it meant they could no longer make medals and use DP. Which in turn meant they could no longer make monsters to assist them.

The hardships Ronove went through certainly weren't average, to say the least.

”I tried all sorts of things, you know. But the best thing I did was cooking. Humans enjoyed my cooking, and I was able to enjoy their emotions. So, I did my best to cook the most delicious food I could every time. But whichever I town I go, my disguise as a human gets found out eventually and I get attacked for looking like a frog.”

It was a believable tale. After all, in most human towns, demi-humans were being persecuted for just being demi-humans. Needless to say, a large humanoid frog would cause an even more intense reaction.

”Back then, I even thought of killing myself, but then, I heard of city where demi-humans aren't being discriminated against. So, I wondered if that place would accept even me.”

Avalon was a city where humans and demi-humans coexisted peacefully. Here, Ronove's outer appearance wouldn't have mattered.

”I was surprised when I got here. Everyone accepted me even though I didn't put on any disguise. Business was great too. Everyone happily bought my sweets and found it delicious. The happier they are, the better emotions I enjoyed. So, I tried harder and harder until I came up with the frog-shaped cakes. Say, Procell, you liked the cakes, right? Won't you at least consider letting me stay here in your city? Please!”

Before answering, I looked at Stolas. The small smile on her face suggested she felt the same as I did.

”Do as you like. Until you get another crystal, I don't mind if you stay here in Avalon. All are welcome here, so long as they don't cause trouble. Be they human, demi-human, or monster, they are accepted here. Demon Lords are no exception.”

It was clear to me that he didn't have any ill will or anything like that toward me or my city, so even though he was a Demon Lord, there was no need to chase him away.

Above all, his frog-shaped cakes were delicious.

”Thank you, thank you, thank you!”

”There's no need for thanks. Your frog-shaped cakes are beneficial to Avalon, so I'm just using those in my favor. Also, I don't mind if you consume some of the happiness that you've induced, but since this is my dungeon, I think it's fair that I have some of it too.”

The more wonderful attractions my city had, the better.

”Yes, deal, deal! Oh, thank you, really, Procell! I promise, once I get another crystal and become a proper Demon Lord again, I'll repay you for this kindness. I promise!”

”I'll look forward to that, but no pressure. Well, shall we go, Stolas?”

”Yeah, okay… Ronove, your frog-shaped cake was really delicious.”

Before leaving, Stolas praised Ronove. Upon hearing it though, his frog face turned incredibly red.

”Procell, Stolas, come again! I'm making the cakes better and better. The next time you try it, you'll love it even more!”

He said so as he was waving us goodbye.

The frog-shaped cakes are gonna be improved?

”Let's come here again sometime, Stolas.”

”Yes, let's. When we get hungry on our next date.”

Stolas looked me in the eye, replied so, and then smiled.

There was still time left, so we decided to tour Avalon some more.

◇

And then, all of a sudden, it was already evening. Touring around it, I remarked that I built a truly charming city.

Thankfully, Stolas seemed to have enjoyed the city as well.

That being said, it was now time to end our date.

When we exited the city's gate, someone was already there to pick her up. Atop a high-ranking griffon was Rozelitte, Stolas' angel-type [Monster of the Covenant].

Also…

”We meet again, Procell”

Also, there was a middle-aged looking man: [Dragon] Demon Lord Astaroth.

”I didn't expect we'd meet again so soon though.”

”I came here today to talk with you two, Stolas and Procell. It had to be both of you at the same time or else there would be no meaning. So, forgive me for this sudden visit.”

With a face that seemed like he had chewed on something sour, the [Dragon] Demon Lord uttered so.

”Stolas, from here on, I forbid you to go near Procell.”

”Wha-what are you saying, Astaroth-sama? Do you really expect me to follow that?”

Both Stolas and I were flustered at what he said. I would rather he matched the two of us than separate us.

”I imagined you would say that… it's fine to not follow what I said, Stolas, but you need to be prepared. Right now, young Demon Lords are forming factions so that they could crush Procell. And, once you've both become independent and not anymore protected by special rules, he will be hunted down full force. He simply stands out too much. It can't be helped that the young Demon Lords are scared of him.”

After he said so, I understood why he forbade Stolas from coming near me. If she was perceived as my ally, those against me would target her too.

”…I see. Then, I just got to be part of Procell's faction, don't I? As his close friend, I can't turn my eyes away from those vicious fellows.”

Stolas declared so without a hint of hesitation.

In response, the [Dragon] Demon Lord placed a hand on her shoulder and then looked her intimidatingly straight in eyes.

”Listen to me, Stolas. When you become independent, I would no longer be around. I would no longer be able to protect you. Even so, do you still think it wise to intertwine your fate with his?”

”Yes. A Demon Lord who has so little pride that they would abandon a close friend for only this much could never become the strongest. That is what I learned from you, Astaroth-sama.”

That answer astonished him and made him laugh a thunderous laugh.

”That's my daughter, alright! Hahaha. Very well, you do what you want to do.”

Satisfied with her answer, he then turned to me.

”Procell, I entrust Stolas to you. Take care of her after I'm gone.”

”…Yes, I won't let harm befall her after believing in me so much.”

”That's not really what I meant, but, oh well, that'll do. Also, a word of advice. You might be doing well so far, but there is a limit to fighting alone. If your enemies are making a faction, you should too.”

”Yes, I intend to do so.”

I had thought about it before.

Once the special rules protecting new Demon Lords were gone, it would be hard for me to continue alone.

Along with making Avalon strong, I needed to gather allies.

”That said, the faction of young Demon Lords right now are… strangely strong.”

The image of the [Black] Demon Lord then suddenly came to my mind.

It was nothing more than a theory, but it was possible that in order to not only escape from me but also prolong his life and boost his war potential, he had dyed a promising Demon Lord's heart black and possessed them.

Following that theory, in order to assure my demise, he had made an anti-Procell faction. And once the rules protecting me was gone, like the [Dragon] Demon Lord feared, the younger Demon Lords he had trained and guided would crush me with their numbers.

If it's that guy, it's definitely possible.

”Thank you for the advice. I'll look into various things.”

”Good, you do that. As for me, I'll do my best to bequeath Stolas as much things as possible in the time I have left.”

After saying so, the [Dragon] Demon Lord rode on one of his subordinates and left.

The thing he said to us was a good piece of information. Once again, I was indebted to him. I planned on repaying that debt before he was gone.

”What a mess we've gotten ourselves into, huh, Procell.”

”Yeah… but thank you for joining me in this mess.”

I did not give her an apology because I knew that wasn't what she wanted. Instead, I conveyed my feelings of gratitude as her close friend.

It was a fairly unpleasant situation to be in, but it wasn't all bad. After all, it was hard to imagine that they would risk punishment for breaking the rules and attack me in half a year—the time it would take for me to no longer be a new Demon Lord. I would have plenty of time to get stronger.

”Well, things are about to get more hectic now.”

TL note: I screwed up on the last chapter. Procell didn’t refer to Marcho as a close friend. That was entirely me during edit. Sorry. Every instance of “close friend” in this chapter though is as seen in the raws.

Also, the slime story in this chapter most likely is a reference to Tsukiyo Rui-sensei’s other work, . I don’t know really know the story of that one so if the description found in this chapter is off, do let me know.