Chapter 186: The Banquet’s Night at the Dark Capital(2/3)
(But then the only reason left would be my parents. Wouldn’t that be bad? Isn’t it better to touch about the subject of Eva and Ruria’s circumstances...) (Makoto)
(If you speak about that, it could be taken as siding with the hyumans and reclaiming Kaleneon. Taking the side of the hyumans also means opposing the demon race. In terms of result, that action helps the heroes in a sense, so it is better for ‘us all’ to not increase our image of being the ally of hyumans.) (Shiki)
(I-I see) (Makoto)
Now that I think about it, he does have a point.
It is only in terms of result, but our actions help the hyumans more than the demons.
I had no underlying intentions of doing that though.
Looking only at the results, if I tell them that I have reclaimed Kaleneon because hyumans asked me to...would be bad.
Yeah, it would be bad.
(In that case, it would be better to just tell them that it was the homeland of Waka-sama’s parents, and that’s why you took it back, which would let us earn more that way. For the demon race, it would be like giving them information that Waka-sama’s parents were from Kaleneon. Who knows in what way they will take that information. For our side, it is not information that would trouble us.) (Shiki)
(Understood. Then I will be doing that.) (Makoto)
(Don’t mind it. Also, the Demon Generals and the other people are beginning to worry about your situation there. When you see the chance, wrap things up and return. Ah right, I almost forgot. There’s also the matter of Reft. At the very least, tell him that Waka-sama didn’t participate in the attack. Right...tell him that Waka-sama’s subordinates went on a rampage for your sake, or something like that please. Mio-dono and I will deal with it if anything happens later.) (Shiki)
(Thanks. Then after telling him this, I will be returning.) (Makoto)
I cut off the thought transmission.
The Demon Lord has not detected the thought transmission.
I have hidden it perfectly...I think.
The Demon Lord is looking at the night view with his hands on the railing.
“...Fuh~ No good. This one might have spoken a bit too much. Having our guest feeling the night breeze all this time, is something that should not be done. Should we go back, Raidou-dono? I thank you for accompanying me.” (Zef)
“Uhm, Demon Lord-sama. There’s something I have to tell you. Can I have a bit of your time?” (Makoto)
“This one invited you here. If there’s something Raidou-dono has to say, this one will definitely listen.” (Zef)
“The demon race lost a territory recently, right?” (Makoto)
“...! Yeah. Close to the meeting point with Raidou-dono and the others, there was a country named Kaleneon in the past. That one.” (Zef)
The expression of the Demon Lord showed the most surprise he has shown till now.
Okay, let’s say it.
“That’s something we did.” (Makoto)
“!!! Raidou-dono, do you understand what you are saying by that?” (Zef)
Narrowing his eyes, the Demon Lord takes off all that amiable atmosphere and asks for confirmation.
It is alright. Everything that has to be spoken has already been arranged in my head.
Don’t be intimidated.
If it’s about Kaleneon, I definitely hold responsibility for it.
I won’t run away from it.
“Yes. Us -Kuzunoha Company- took Kaleneon from the hands of the demon race.” (Makoto)
“...Let’s hear the reason. There’s obviously one, right? This one hopes that you won’t say this was for the sake of hyumans.” (Zef)
“It was for my sake.” (Makoto)
“Raidou-dono’s sake?” (Zef)
“Yes. Kaleneon is...the homeland of my parents. In the past, my parents tied their bond there. For me, Kaleneon is like my second homeland.” (Makoto)
“...”
“Well even if I say that, I wasn’t thinking about recovering the land of Kaleneon which was already right in the middle of demon race territory. Just that...” (Makoto)
“Just that?” (Zef)
“My subordinates, thinking of me, took back the aforementioned land. The Kaleneon that they had given to me, I received it.” (Makoto)
“Is that something your two subordinates, Mio and Shiki, did? Or were there other factors involved?” (Zef)
Sharp eyes that tried to see through me.
There was no hostility.
But that was actually fearsome.
He is hiding his emotions just like he told me before.
With an emotionless face that reveals no emotion, he simply cross-examines me.
“I can’t say. No matter who was involved, the Kuzunoha Company moved, and I received the fruits of it. Since I received it, I hold the responsibility. I used power...to take away Kaleneon.” (Makoto)
“...Kukuku. By the principle of power huh. It is certainly true that it is the principle of the demon race but...seriously, it is not a subject that should be said in this place, without doubt. There was a Demon General at that place and it was in the territory of the demon race, right in the middle of it. No matter how much power that can’t be overlooked you possess, is it something that can be recaptured by a company independently? Sorry but, this one is in chaos right now. But first, this one wants to ask you one thing. Why did you spare Reft?” (Zef)
“I later learned that that person was a Demon General. He was injured, so I had him treated and returned him to the demon race territory. I don’t know the reason why his memories are a jumble though.” (Makoto)
“Because he is a Demon General huh. If this one had to choose between Kaleneon and Reft, this one would choose Reft. In that sense, should this one be grateful?” (Zef)
“No, that is...” (Makoto)
After leaking a chuckle, the Demon Lord makes a mysterious farsighted expression and a faint smile surfaced.
“But you got me. This one probably won’t be able to sleep tonight. Even though this one had drunk quite a bit and was in a good mood.” (Zef)
“...”
“If the talk is over...this time for sure let’s return, Raidou-dono.” (Zef)
“Demon Lord-sama, this talk...” (Makoto)
“If you are going to say: ‘Don’t tell anyone’, that’s an impossible deal. This one doesn’t know if this one will be able to swallow all this. Also, this isn’t a talk that an individual can keep to himself. Well in the first place, it is strange to refer a Lord as an ‘individual’ though.” (Zef)
He said it before me.
As I thought, it is impossible to ask him to keep it to himself huh.
But it would look bad to stay silent here so...
“No, this is something that I willingly spoke out because I understood the personality of Demon Lord-sama. That’s what I wanted to tell you.” (Makoto)
“This one will take your evaluation to heart. Now then, let’s go back.” (Zef)
“Thanks.” (Makoto)
The Demon Lord opens the door, and we return to the banquet.
A warm atmosphere envelops my body, and when I returned to my seat, I was welcomed by a huge amount of food.
Shiki who knew of the situation, had a face as if saying ‘good work’; Mio gave me her impressions of the food and gave me recommendations with a wide smile.
I-I was somehow able to say it.
Today there’s only eat and sleep left, so that’s a small blessing.
If tomorrow on is like this, my body might not be able to take it.
◇◆◇◆Makoto’s Dream◇◆◇◆
A dream.
I could tell from the atmosphere.
After being entertained by the banquet of the demon race, we returned to our room. Then, we locked the room and went to sleep in Asora.
Today I didn’t feel like doing anything more.
The moment I returned to my own room, I quickly went down.
Last time it was my old self that seemed to have created a desert. And before that one...it was a dream where I almost killed Hibiki.
Hm, this is bad.
It feels like things are getting messed up.
Dreams like a strange kingdom and desert.
I remember a bit about the people that appeared in it, but the other details are getting foggy.
Dreams are not something that can be easily remembered so it can’t be helped, but these chain of events feel like they are trying to tell me something and it bothers me.
This is already the third time after all.
When I wake up, I will ask Tomoe to archive them.
Anyways...the mist is quite thick.
To the level that it looks like smoke.
Where am I...I mean, the me in this dream.
When I thought of this...I found him.
“...”
It isn’t as old as last time.
Just that, it looks like I have an incredibly troubled expression.
I don’t know if I have had these much emotion shown in my face before.
I was sitting at a bench.
Aside from that, I can’t see anything else.
It’s kinda ironic to say this in a dream but, this place doesn’t feel real.
Also, it bothers me that there’s no other person here aside from me.
“How long has it been since we have talked just the two of us, Waka.”
“...Tomoe.” (Makothree)
Eh?
I was surprised by the voice.
Before I noticed, the shadow of a person appeared at the bench that I was sitting on.
Ah, so this strange place was prepared by Tomoe.
Or more like, there haven’t been any of my followers or the people of Asora in these dreams before.
“That kind of expression is...no, this isn’t something that I should be saying.” (Tomoe)
“You are the reason after all.” (Makothree)
“Yeah.” (Tomoe)
“Tomoe, I...” (Makothree)
He is using ‘ore’.
If I remember correctly, there was one dream where I used ‘ore’ as well.
Yeah, even though it is me -no- maybe it’s because it is me huh.
The sense of disparity is incredible.
“Waka, please don’t say further.” (Tomoe)
“I haven’t said anything yet.” (Makothree)
“You were mostly going to apologize, right? It is unnecessary.” (Tomoe)
“...Even through the end, there’s no rivalling you huh.” (Makothree)
...
The end?
“It is something I wished for. At the very least, I have no regrets. Please.” (Tomoe)
“...”
“Being unable to reincarnate is something I was already prepared for when I made a pact with Waka. Also, there’s Mio at that side as well. She may not be as fun as being with Waka, but being together with her doesn’t bore me.” (Tomoe)
“If I had...If I had been stronger, do you think this wouldn’t have happened?” (Makothree)
“...No. Even if Waka had obtained the power to overwhelm that Goddess, there’s no knowing if the result would have changed. No one would know.” (Tomoe)
“But at the very least, I wouldn’t have done something as unsightly as exchanging the two heroes and Mio, right?” (Makothree)
What’s this?
Mio was here too.
And she is not here anymore. Is that what he is trying to say?
“But the Goddess might have come out faster. If that happened, not only Mio, Waka might have died at that moment as well.” (Tomoe)
“Even so!!” (Makothree)
“Everything has already happened. Waka, you have chosen your own path. We obeyed it. And so, we fought with a God and are now here. I said this before but, I...no, Mio as well, didn’t regret anything. Something like: ‘If we hadn’t met Waka’, has not crossed my mind one bit, you know.” (Tomoe)
“...”
“It was truly fun. A lot more fun than living eternally in a life without path.That’s why Waka should also look forward, and walk your own path. All your worries, I will be taking them here. When you cross the river of styx, I will return them to you.” (Tomoe)
“My path huh.” (Makothree)
“Yes. It is not like I can see through everything, so I don’t have the right to say this all high-and-mighty though.” (Tomoe)
“Even when you are speaking to me in this fashion?” (Makothree)
In this fashion...
What is it?
For some reason, a strange and bad feeling is clinging onto me.
“...Yeah. If you want to hear, I will tell you but... just promise me, *you will not drag us along anymore*.” (Tomoe)
“You are so unfair, Tomoe. You who had no other worries aside from period dramas and Japanese customs, is having worries? Are you telling me this knowing that I want to hear it? Understood, I will walk forward. It is only a bit more after all. I will look at the other side when I finish climbing.” (Makothree)
The mouth of the hung down head had a smile surface.
The corners of the mouth were upwards, but it looked like a made-up smile.
I could somehow tell that he wasn’t truly smiling.
“Then...since the time Waka had decided on his path, I steadily began to think this way. That maybe...If maybe there was another person aside from me and Mio who supports Waka...” (Tomoe)
“Are you referring to a follower? But I don’t have any other follower aside from you and Mio.” (Makothree)
“Mio and I might have been a bit too possessive. We did receive equal affection, but we were negative about having a new follower.” (Tomoe)
“...I can’t imagine having a follower aside from you two. If I had to force myself to put out a candidate, maybe Zef. Another one could be Sand Wave? Root? Well, the candidates would be them.” (Makothree)
“Zef huh. He might be a good one. Umu, if it were a man, we might not have minded much.” (Tomoe)
“A third follower huh. That’s quite the talk there.” (Makothree)
No, and Shiki?
Shiki... is not here?
“I don’t mind if it’s 3 or 4, but well, I had such a weak-willed thinking.” (Tomoe)
“Even you think about ‘maybe’s’ huh. I am slightly relieved to hear that.” (Makothree)
“Well then, it is already time to say goodbye. I made this kind of setup just in case, but I am glad that even someone like me was able to serve as a regret reliever.” (Tomoe)
“Tomoe...” (Makothree)
Oh, oh...
Tomoe and I kissed.
And it doesn’t feel like this is the first time.
We are used to it.
I can’t believe it.
From all this, this is the most surprising.
With Tomoe huh.
I do think of her as someone dependable, but she is more of a brother, and I... don’t see her as a woman.
No well, she is indeed a beautiful woman though.
“...Please forgive this blunder of mine. My body has been blown away without remains, so I unconsciously did something like this.” (Tomoe)
Her body without remains...
As I thought, this Tomoe is...
There was the shock of that kiss, but I could tell that something even colder and heavier than that was being lodged in my stomach.
It hurts.
Tomoe was smiling all the time, and as if slipping into the thick mist, she dispersed like sand to the wind.
She disappeared.
Don’t joke around.
Tomoe and Mio as well!
As if they would be killed by the Goddess!!
Hey, what in the hell did you do?!
Just what kind of stupid path did you take to lose them both?!
And Shiki?! What happened to Shiki?!
Damn it. I don’t understand the situation, so the emotions that have nowhere to go create more and more questions.
The surroundings of the me who was alone now, showed an instant change.
The mist that had grown thin was whirling, and disappeared with me at the centre of it.
Eh, this place is...
“Head, I am entering.”
A room I remember, and a familiar voice.
Without waiting for my reply, the owner of the voice enters the room.
As I thought.
When I saw his figure, I immediately thought this; Demon Lord Zef.
“Zef-san.” (Makothree)
“The matter of Tomoe-dono... is regrettable. But even so, I have come here to have a word with you.” (Zef)
“It is alright now. I had Tomoe sermon me just a moment ago.” (Makothree)
With a loose face, I smile at the Demon Lord.
It feels like I am quite close with Zef-san.
“...By Tomoe-dono?” (Zef)
“Yeah. Seriously, she is a worrywart. She comes to sermon me even after death.” (Makothree)
“...”
“And, how are the preparations?” (Makothree)
“Completely done. We are waiting for you, Head.” (Zef)
“I see. Zef-san might have forgiven me, but at this rate, I feel like Rona and Sari will get noisy.” (Makothree)
“With Head’s position, it can’t be helped. There’s no choice but to accept it.” (Zef)
I see.
The dream’s me has sided with the demon race.
So this is that kind of dream huh.
“Thinking of it like somebody else’s business.” (Makothree)
“It is in truth somebody else’s business after all. You have finally taken off what was burdening you, so I will have you take a break.” (Zef)
The Demon Lord looks a lot younger than what my impression of him was.
No, his outward appearance hasn’t changed much, but his atmosphere is kinda different.
“Well, I understand how you feel, but taking a break will have to come after finishing one job more.” (Makothree)
“Fuh, I am aware. Now then, when you leave the room, I will have you change gears, Head. First, we have to encourage the soldiers.” (Zef)
The Demon Lord opens the door of the room and waits for me.
As if complying to his words, I walk there and leave to the corridor with the Demon Lord.
Looking at the ceiling, I take a deep breath and exhaled.
“Let’s go, Zef. As a Demon General, I will have you work plenty.” (Makothree)
“As you wish. As the new Demon Lord, I will serve you with this life of mine.” (Zef)
“The enemy is the Goddess. Do you have the resolve?” (Makothree)
“For a long time. Since the moment I was born a demon.” (Zef)
Demon Lord.
I climbed through the steps of the demon race and became a Demon Lord huh.
Not only that, it seems like it is before stepping against the Goddess.
This me is a lot further than me.
But...by sacrificing Tomoe and Mio.
I clench my teeth.
Looking at the figure and expression of the me who has walked further beyond, I could tell that I was feeling anger.
At that moment, the world creaks.
The scenery of the two walking the corridor had fine cracks appearing.
A displeasing sound as if glass was scraping each other resounded heavily.
I woke up from my dream.
◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆
It wasn’t as if I woke up because I was having a nightmare, or because I was driven out of my dream.
I silently open my eyes.
As usual, it is late at night.
Like the saying goes, the time when plants also sleep.
Don’t joke around.
That’s not a precognitive dream.
Because they are walking a path that is clearly different from the real me.
But ‘if I cooperate with the demon race, it will lead to that result’; there’s the chance of something close to that happening.
I have been thinking that the dreams I have had were not just simple dreams.
Tomoe. I should ask Tomoe to record my dreams.
‘The memories don’t fade, the people just forget about it’, is what she said.
In that case, I can reproduce everything including the previous dreams, and check them out.
...It really is no joke.
I don’t want to become the Demon Lord, and I don’t want to lose Tomoe and Mio.
In the first place, counting the two previous dreams that are starting to become foggy, there’s too much bad aftertaste!
I send a thought transmission to Tomoe.
Even if she is sleeping, I intended to wake her up.
(Waka? Weren’t you sleeping?) (Tomoe)
(You were awake huh. I have something I wanted to consult you about. Is it okay to do it right now?) (Makoto)
I thought that she was definitely sleeping.
What was she doing this late in the night?
(Understood. Then I will head to your room.) (Tomoe)
(No, I will go to you. Are you in your room?) (Makoto)
It is not like I am lonely, but for some reason, I wanted to see Tomoe.
(No, I’m outside. At the forest on the right of the mansion.) (Tomoe)
(Understood.) (Makoto)
Hearing the location of Tomoe, I head there.
The forest huh.
I also go there sometimes to shoot my bow, but I don’t normally see Tomoe there.
There’s not much distance, so I arrive soon.
“Tomoe, what are you doing?” (Makoto)
“Of course, training. Even if I say this, it is more like solving a puzzle.” (Tomoe)
“Solving a puzzle huh.” (Makoto)
Tomoe was at the front of one tree.
With her hands at the katana’s handle, she had her body slightly low.
I can tell that it is the stance to pull out the katana.
But the distance between her and the tree is too short.
The pommel is hitting the trunk.
With that, you wouldn’t be able to draw in the first place.
Is that a new type of meditation?
“Drawing from this stance seems to serve as training.” (Tomoe)
“Drawing you say. Isn’t that practically zero-distance? Even if you force draw it, won’t the handle just hit the tree?” (Makoto)
“Yes. Several trees have already fallen. That’s probably not the correct way.” (Tomoe)
Of course it is not.
A person wouldn’t normally drop a tree for trying to forcefully draw a sword.
Just what kind of handle is that.
“Who did you hear that from?” (Makoto)
“I was taught by Hibiki. It seems to be a foundation of the katana.” (Tomoe)
“Then won’t we get it after looking at her memories?” (Makoto)
“Waka, if I do that, I feel like it would go against the point of training.” (Tomoe)
“You are serious in the weirdest of places. I like that though.” (Makoto)
“Just training with the katana is fun, so it doesn’t faze me. Even if today is no good, even if tomorrow is no good, even if the day after tomorrow is no good; I will do my best every day. Well even if I say this, I intended to finish the training for today, but since I received a thought transmission from Waka, I continued for a bit more. And, what was the business you had?” (Tomoe)
Wiping her sweat, Tomoe laughs with a satisfied expression.
Uh, it reminds me of the smile of the dream Tomoe.
Stop it.
That was...a dream.
Not reality.
That’s right, I won’t let it become reality.
That’s why I came to meet Tomoe.
“I wanted to check a dream of mine for a bit you see. Dreams also enter in the category of memories right? Can you check them?” (Makoto)
“Of course. Is it recent?” (Tomoe)
“Yeah, around ten days ago. I think there’s a day when I was resting at Asora. I am counting on you for that.” (Makoto)
“Well then,excuse me while I give it a look.” (Tomoe)
“Don’t look at anything unnecessary, okay?” (Makoto)
“I know.” (Tomoe)
Tomoe’s hand touches my forehead.
Fuh~
Anyways, it might have been something important.
With this, I have one thing less to worry about.
Tomoe closes her eyes and searches my memories.
But to place the handle at the tree and draw huh.
Kuma-sensei who taught me the basics of Iai, no wait, I haven’t been taught by sensei, not even once.
... Maybe I just didn’t advance to that stage yet.
Is it because I wasn’t following the lessons well?
Tomoe said she heard it from Hibiki-senpai, but now that I think about it, there’s no training in kendo for drawing, right?
Was senpai learning swordsmanship as well?
In that case, she is more fearsome than I thought.
“...Waka.” (Tomoe)
“Ah, did you finish?” (Makoto)
In the time that I was thinking, it seems she had finished.
Okay, this is no time to be sleeping, so I will look at them right now.
“For around 3 days, there were nights when you didn’t have a dream but... there wasn’t any specially strange dream.” (Tomoe)
“Eh?” (Makoto)
“Maybe in those 3 days you had a such a deep sleep that you didn’t have any dreams?” (Tomoe)
“No, there’s no way. Ehm, at the day I met Hibiki-senpai... also, at the day when I went to the Empire. Also today, just a moment ago.” (Makoto)
“I didn’t find any. What kind of dreams?” (Tomoe)
“In one I was about to kill senpai, at another I made a desert, then I also became a Demon Lord... uhm, Tomoe and the others were dead.” (Makoto)
“...It certainly does sound like a suggestive dream.” (Tomoe)
“Are there really none? Memories of me seeing those dreams.” (Makoto)
“Yes. Totally.” (Tomoe)
No way.
I certainly did see it and I am able to tell its contents right now.
I saw them, and yet, a dream I didn’t see? I feel more and more that those dreams are not mere dreams.
But Tomoe doesn’t seem to be lying.
What’s going on?
“...Understood. Sorry Tomoe. To ask you for something so late at night.” (Makoto)
“No, don’t worry about it. Waka, if it’s okay with you, I can try searching as many times as you want.” (Tomoe)
“No, it is not like pushing will do anything. I will return to my room and note down as much information I remember. I might ask of you again but, at that time, I am counting on you.” (Makoto)
“I am sorry for not being of help. Just that, Waka...” (Tomoe)
“Hm?” (Makoto)
“We won’t easily die. We are Waka’s followers after all. I want you to believe in that.” (Tomoe)
“...Yeah, thanks. Good night.” (Makoto)
“Yeah, have a good sleep. I as well...!! If pushing doesn’t work, maybe pulling...” (Tomoe)
“Hm, Tomoe?” (Makoto)
“M-Maybe!! It was that?! Umu, it might be!!” (Tomoe)
“...Tomoe? Hey~” (Makoto)
“Waka!!” (Tomoe)
“What? You won’t sleep?” (Makoto) >