Interlude
The fire has gone out, Klem thought to herself.
She walked down the main street of the frontier city of Faltra, located in Lyferia’s western regions. Normally, the roads were bustling with people, so much so that it was hard to make your way through the crowd. But despite it being the middle of the day, the streets were as empty as if it were midnight.
“...What a bother.”
Klem was heading to her favorite restaurant in the northern sector, only to be met with a sign saying the place was temporarily closed. The owner probably fled the city, as Faltra’s citizens were all leaving.
Klem began making her way back to the ?Peace of Mind Inn?, and along the way, passed by the city gate.
The northern gate was recently rebuilt, and now a long column of carriages was lined up before it. The sound of wheels grinding against gravel reached her ears.
“Hmph...”
“Oh, is that you, Klem, meow?”
“Mm?”
Turning to face the voice, Klem’s gaze fell on Mei, the Peace of Mind Inn’s poster girl. She was a Pantherian girl who was looking after Klem and Edelgard. Having fought to defend the city from the Demon Overlord Modinaram, Klem had earned the townsfolk’s trust. And so, despite Klem being a Demon Lord herself, Mei treated her as a friend.
“Where were you off to, meow?”
“Appetissant.”
“Wow, that expensive restaurant in the northern district? I hear their lunches are famous!”
“Well... Except they were closed.”
“Oh, meow.” Mei placed a hand on her cheek in a bothered gesture.
“Where are they even running off to...?” Klem whispered to herself.
To the west was the Demon Lord’s Domain. It was part of Lyferia’s territory for a time, but when the Demon Overlord Modinaram marched his armies on Faltra, most of the Human strongholds there fell.
“Ahaha, meow...” Mei gave a forced smile and cocked her head. “They say the king died in battle. Rumor has it that if the Gelmed Empire marches west, Faltra will get caught up in the war.”
“Of course it will. And if Faltra falls, it’s only a matter of time before the nearby cities fall as well. The Fallen might not pay small villages any mind, but the races have a way of being thorough.”
The Gelmed Empire would seek out those villages and make use of any method possible to achieve their goal. They would round people up for labor, conscript them, or use them as material for Human experimentation...
Klem didn’t think this kingdom was a utopia by any means, but the way it was until now was better than the prospect of it being occupied by Gelmed. Klem peered at Mei, who was walking beside her.
Would I have been better off destroying this town? It would at least have spared them from a fate worse than death.
Mei beamed at Klem, unaware of the thoughts going through her mind.
“Klem, you know the Gelmed Empire?”
“I am a Demon Lord, after all.”
With the fragments of her soul that remained within Rem now returned to her, Klem’s memory was fully restored. She knew almost everything about this world, and many things about what existed outside this world, too.
Currently, there was no doubt that Klem was the complete, invincible Demon Lord Krebskulm, but something had changed about her. She’d grown fond of her life in Faltra. She loved the taste of biscuits, found the smiles of the people pleasant, and liked spending her time in the open-aircafé on the main street. And she loved chocolate, too.
Those were all emotions that exceeded her destructive impulses as a Demon Lord.
“The meals you serve aren’t bad, you know,” Klem told Mei.
“Hehe... Thank you, meow? If you haven’t had lunch, how about I fix you a little something to eat?”
“Mm!” Klem nodded, becoming cheerful at the offer. “Aren’t you going to run, though? I predict that within a month the Gelmed Empire will attack this place.”
Even Diablo wouldn’t be able to stop the Empire’s invasion. He’d likely take his comrades and flee to the Kingdom of Greenwood, or his personal fortress. Mei’s expression became somewhat troubled, though.
“Ahaha, meow... I’m scared, but I have my customers to consider.”
“What?”
“Like you and Edelgard. And I told Diablo he could always come back here. So for as long as I have customers, I have to protect the inn. It’s called the ‘Peace of Mind’ Inn because our customers can always be sure they have a place to come back to.” She finished her explanation with a strained smile.
She’s staying behind for her customers...? Klem felt an unusual emotion bubble up in her chest.
And while this was the first time she’d experienced anguish, Klem didn’t find it entirely disagreeable.
“...You’re doing it for this Demon Lord, you say?”
“Oh, but I’m sure Faltra will be fine! Our governor is really strong!”
“A strong governor? Oh, that man, Galford... Well, he’s quite high-leveled for one of the races, but he’s not much of a hero.”
If he was overwhelmed by the Demon Overlord, he would stand no chance against the Gelmed Empire’s Magimatic Sols.
“Meow...?” Mei scratched her cheek in confusion. “Klem, you know a hero?”
“I did fight one in my past life. I wouldn’t lose to one in a one-on-one fight, though.”
Individually, those of the races had their limits, and that was why Klem didn’t believe Diablo could stop the Gelmed Empire. He was overwhelmingly powerful, but he always fought alone, and the only one of his subordinates that was truly powerful was the Swordmaster Sasara.
And when Diablo loses, the Kingdom of Lyferia will fall apart, and the flames of war would encroach on Faltra.
And when they do, this girl will...
“Hmhm. It seems this Demon Lord finds that possibility unacceptable...”
“Meow?”
It was strange, truth be told. Those of the Fallen find pleasure in seeing the races die, and yet...
“Remain in Faltra,” Klem told Mei. “You will be safe here.”
“Huh?”
“But this Demon Lord will now embark on a journey.”
“Are you saying you’re...?” Mei’s expression clouded over with sorrow.
“Nay! I am not fleeing. I, Krebskulm, am the strongest of all Demon Lords! The races will never strike fear into me. But if this town becomes a battlefield, I will have nothing left to defend.”
“D-Defend...?”
Klem looked at Mei, whose expression was perplexed. The girl had grown emaciated.
“Those of the Gelmed Empire are members of the races, too, after all. But you won’t ask that this Demon Lord protects their lives, too, will you?”
“Ah, yes, of course not!”
“Mm, then leave it to me! You can make me lunch when I come back.”
“I-I’ll wait for you!” Mei nodded, her eyes moist with tears. “When you come back, Klem, I’ll make you an amaaaaazing lunch! And I’ll give you so many biscuits you won’t have room for them all!”
Klem’s lips softened to a smile.
“You would do well to prepare much for me!”
†
Klem walked down the street alone. She could have gone to the east gate, but decided to go to the southern gate first. She approached the bakery ?Petre’s?. This was another popular store that on a standard day would have a large number of people lined up, but it was deserted now. The fact that they were still open for business was praiseworthy enough.
As Klem opened the door, a bell rang out. The store’s manager, a Grasswalker who looked like a little boy, greeted her.
“Welcome to Petre’s! Thank you for coming! We’ve got biscuits and bread. What’ll you have?”
“I’m not a customer,” Klem said curtly.
“Gaaaah...” The manager let out a depressed sigh. “Really...? Well, what can I do for you, little not-customer?”
There were more workers in the store than customers. One of those workers — Edelgard — hurried over to Klem’s side.
“Demon Lord!”
“Mm.”
“Is something the... matter? Matter!”
For how long they’d stayed in this city, Edelgard still hadn’t mastered speaking in their tongue. At this point, it was hard to tell if she simply wasn’t suited for it or was just doing it on purpose. And that was despite her being a Fallen with an appearance and form close to a Human’s...
“We leave for the capital,” Klem announced.
Apparently that alone was enough for Edelgard to understand everything, because she got down on one knee.
“Please, allow Edelgard to... escort? Escort! You!”
“Very well.”
“You are, too kind!” Edelgard bowed her head deeply.
Petre, the manager, was looking between the two of them with panicked confusion. Edelgard got to her feet and lowered her head respectfully toward him as she spoke.
“Manager! For a while, can’t come to work!”
“Huuuuh?!”
“Is it, problem?”
“Well...! Ah, erm... Well, I guess we’re not getting any customers anyway... I guess it’s fine...?” He agreed in a somewhat heartbroken fashion.
“Thank you for, everything, so far!”
“Take care of yourself. Oh, about your salary... Do you want to get paid for all this week’s days?”
“...Edelgard rather, have... as many biscuits, as possible? Possible!”
“Huh? Well, sure, I don’t mind.”
Edelgard took a basket full of biscuits. She then said her goodbyes to her coworkers and the few regular customers that were in the restaurant. One gangly Pantherian man spoke up, “Oh, so you’re finally setting sail for greener pastures, huh...? It’ll be lonely around here.”
Setting sail?
“Will you be coming back once you’re done with your business?”
“Hmm...” Edelgard turned her gaze to Klem.
“Of course!” She nodded. “Without this store’s biscuits, there’s no point in keeping the races alive!”
“Huuuh?!” Petre blushed and swayed in place. “Ehehe... It’s embarrassing when you put it like that. I’ll work hard to keep the store open, so do come back!”
Edelgard smiled.
“Will come back! Won’t? Will!”
†
With Edelgard in tow, Klem left Faltra through the eastern gate. It was their first time in a long while being outside the city, and while there were many sentries along the eastern gate, no one faulted them for leaving. The people entering the town were subjected to strict investigation, but those leaving were simply checked to see they weren’t on the wanted list.
Even if they were stopped, the two of them would have simply forced their way through, of course...
They walked down the road to the capital while nibbling on biscuits.
“One more...”
“Yes, Demon Lord!”
“Oh, actually, I take that back.”
“Mm?”
“If I eat too many now, they’ll run out faster. Biscuits are delicious, but they have a critical flaw. They run out when you eat them.”
“Yes.”
Someone suddenly appeared from behind a tree — a man with extremely flashy, golden armor. He waved his hand at them in a friendly gesture.
“Hello there, you two.”
“Mm?” Klem regarded him suspiciously, and Edelgard stepped in front of her defensively.
“You are...” she said.
“Hmm! I am Emile Bichelberger! Ally to all women, and ally to allies of women!” The man introduced himself, raising his helmet’s face guard.
He was a nice guy who had blond hair, blue eyes, and a strongish face.
“What do you want?” Klem asked.
“I’ve heard of you two heading for the capital to fight the Gelmed Empire, little Klem. Allow me to lend you my strength!”
“Oh?”
“Protecting women is my duty!”
Klem crossed her arms in contemplation.
“In that case, protect the women of Faltra. This Demon Lord does not need protection.”
“Ugh... No, but...”
“Besides, you can’t come with us. Edelgard, call for it.”
“Yes, Demon Lord.”
Edelgard wielded a lance in combat, but her class wasn’t ‘Lancer.’ She stuck her fingers in her mouth and whistled. In response, something began rushing in their direction, kicking up a cloud of dust in its wake.
“What is that?!” Emile raised his voice in surprise.
Before he could even finish his sentence, however, the creature ran between them — an Earth Dragon. Edelgard mounted its back with a hop. Her class was Dragon Knight, after all. Klem took a seat behind her.
“Her mount is capable of running for three days and nights without stopping for rest. I doubt you can keep up with it.”
“Aaah...” Emile winced.
“Sorry, but...” Edelgard said with a flat tone. “This one is, two-seats? Two-seater!”
“Stay here and protect Faltra. The palace has probably fallen already. The people of the races will likely soon wash over this place, having been reduced to savage fiends.”
“Aah... Yes, rumor has it that the defeated soldiers and refugees have become bandits and thieves.”
“Can I leave this place in your care?” Klem asked from atop the Earth Dragon.
Emile drew his sword and held it before his heart, its tip aimed at the heavens.
“As substitute guildmaster of the Adventurer’s Guild, I, Emile Bichelberger, swear to protect all of Faltra’s women!” he exclaimed.
Klem nodded, and then ordered Edelgard, “Let’s go.”
“Under...stood!” Edelgard replied and clicked her heels against the Earth Dragon’s sides as she gripped its thorny reins.
The Earth Dragon’s thick hind legs kicked against the ground, and it took off in an explosive sprint, kicking up the earth behind it. With flight-like speed, the Earth Dragon sprinted down the highway.
It was a shaky ride, and the scenery sailed past them with dizzying speed. The wind whistled shrilly in their ears. Thankfully, Klem — and of course Edelgard as well — had the Rider ability, and weren’t strained by the ride at all.
“Demon Lord... You protect, races again?”
“I care little for a conflict between the races, but that one is too dangerous for this Demon Lord to ignore.”
“Emperor...”
“That one is a serpent who would devour the earth. As he is now, he could even be more troublesome than the Demon Overlord, in a way.”
“...But he, is of the races...”
“The races are weak, but they are capable of growth. They can mature faster than other species, stronger, without limit, and by any means. Even if it means discarding their bodies.”
Klem coiled her arms around Edelgard’s slender waist, and Edelgard’s cheeks flushed. Just by touching the Fallen, a Demon Lord sent mana into its servants.
“Nng...” Edelgard breathed out.
“But we do not have enough pawns at hand yet.”
“Pawn... Edelgard, strong pawn. Won’t lose? Won’t lose!”
“Even still. We need more.”
No Comments Yet
Post a new comment
Register or Login