The Greatest Demon Lord Is Reborn as a Typical Nobody - Volume 1 - Chapter 10

CHAPTER 10

The Ex–Demon Lord’s Day in Review

With the whole Ginny situation finally settled, we tried to make our way back to the upper levels as we slipped out of the Boss Room, trudging through the passageway in search of a teleportation portal.

Within all labyrinths operated manually, there was always an area on each floor that allowed people to warp to any level by invoking a special technique. I prayed this dungeon wasn’t some exception to the rule as we pressed onward, until eventually, we came across something peculiar.

“…What’s this? A door?”

We’d stumbled onto a mysterious doorway with a massive keyhole. It was large enough to make me wonder if it was exclusively for the use of giants.

THE DOOR IS LOCKED! ITEMS NEEDED: ALUMATITE KEY.

…Well, it was totally useless if we couldn’t open it, so we hurried on.

Nothing else worth noting happened on our little journey to the teleportation room. Yep. Everything was completely under control. When we made our safe return to the first floor, we sought out our instructor and Olivia, who were both surrounded by hordes of students who had already returned and now stared at us. They were undoubtedly expecting something big from us.

I’m sorry to say these lovely ladies and gentlemen would be sorely disappointed by our performance. I mean, we’d completely incinerated the Minotaur, which meant we couldn’t strip its body for hides. It also meant I’d give perfectly average results and leave with a smile.

“Ohhhh, welcome back, you threeeee. Now, I’d like to check your furs, if you pleeeeease,” our mild-mannered instructor drawled.

Ireena obliged, rummaging around to proudly draw out all three of our hides.

“Oh, this ceeeeertainly passes. This one, tooooo.”

You see, even though the value of our goods had been measured and announced when we obtained them in the dungeon, there really wasn’t a way to check back on those records. Meaning it was totally possible to give a false reporting of their value.

But you couldn’t fool a halfling. They possessed an exclusive skill known as the Judgment Eye, which allowed them to ascertain the true value of any item. Now back to our instructor. He wasn’t giving off any overexaggerated response.

Nice. I’ve won. I’ve really done it this time. Now Olivia has no reason to be suspic—

“……Oh my! Wh-whaaaat in the world is thiiiiiis…?!”

—Huh?

“Th-this one has a value of three hundred…?! D-doesn’t that mean it’s top claaaass?!”

…………

………

D-DAMMIIIIIIIIT!

I—I COMPLETELY FORGOT TO TOSS OUT THE SPECIAL OOOOOOOOONE!

N-no! Wait! There’s still time! I can think of an excuse—

“Wh-what’s the meaning of thiiiiiis?!”

“Heh-heh-heh! Ard stripped that one!” Ireena chirped.

“Yep! He used a special technique!” added Ginny.

Yooooooooo! What the—?! Why would you tell him?! I thought we had an agreement! You promised not to tell anyone!

“A-Ard! Pleeease make me your apprentiiiice!” my instructor begged, sliding into an artful grovel.

“A special method, huh? I think I know a guy who used to talk about somethin’ like that with his subordinate,” Olivia noted, wearing that magnificent smile of hers as her cat ears flicked back and forth.

“I’ve gotta say, you have my full attention now. How about stopping by my estate later tonight, Mr. Ard?

Nooooooooo! I-I’ve been bumped up from first-name status to mister!!! A-and she invited me to her estaaaaaaaate?! Th-this was it! All my alarms bells were warning me that Olivia was thinking, Get ready, ’cause I’m about to end you and have fun doing it!

“How lucky… I want an invite from Lady Olivia, too…”

“A lowly commoner…?! Switch places with me, dammit…!”

Sure, be my guest! I’d be more than happy! You’re gonna be the one regretting it, not me!

Aghhhh, I can’t take it anymore! Why is this happening?!

Following our lesson in the dungeon, we returned to the classroom, where our homeroom teacher, Olivia, gave us a quick review of what we learned that day. With that, our lessons came to a close. If this were any normal institution, we’d break for after-school clubs by this point. But that wasn’t what usually happened in a magic academy.

Well, I’d heard some whispers here and there from the girls gossiping about some secret club in the main building. But I really couldn’t care less. Plus, I was pretty sure I’d never have to interact with it myself.

This all meant that I was making my way through the grounds toward the student dormitories, my home from now on. With the academic building located directly in the middle of the ginormous campus, the two dormitories were relegated to either side. One was for the exclusive use of aristocrats, the other for commoners, which meant our living quarters were arranged by status.

“Why can’t Ard and I be in the same room?! Unbelievable!” Ireena huffed right before we parted ways after school.

I understood how she felt, but what can you do? Rules are rules. I pushed down the urge to go with her and said my good-byes.

After the ridiculously long walk across the school, I finally arrived at my dorm, which honestly gave me the impression that the builders had finished it with a shrug, thinking, Eh, good enough for commoners. Not that I had any grounds to complain. I mean, I’d stayed in far worse places in the past… And most importantly, it was a single-person room. That was more than enough to make me practically leap with joy.

I could imagine what would happen if I was forced to live with a roommate. All my repressed trauma would resurface, and I’d be drowning in memories of my school days when I’d spent all my time trying to hide my true form.

I didn’t have much to do after I’d finished my dinner in the cafeteria, which meant that I could laze around on my bed and reflect on my first day… A lot had happened, but it could be summed up in one word: emotional.

My heart had been stirred, for better or worse. Olivia was definitely for worse. Without question. On the plus side…everyone had been welcoming—thankfully. It meant that I’d finally found a place for me to explore and nurture relationships with others. At this rate, I could reach my dream of making one hundred friends, so I guess it wouldn’t be a “dream” for much longer. Yeah, I guess you’d be able to imagine that my first day went well. It made me hopeful for the future.

That said, I started to think when someone knocked on my door.

“Evening!” Ireena burst into the room in her negligee. “I checked with the headmaster! And guess what? He told me that commoners can’t go into our dorm, but we can visit yours! Which is why…I’m here!” She threw her arms over her head, cheering as she flashed a broad smile.

I couldn’t see my face right then, but I assumed I was making the same happy expression, since I could feel everything relax.

“Welcome,” I said. “Please make yourself comfortable. The place is run-down, and I’m afraid I can’t prepare any tea, but—”

“Oh, there’s no need for any of that! I’ll go anywhere as long as I’m with you, Ard!”

…Gah. That struck me harder than any divine punishment could.

We plopped down on the bed, chatting up a storm, and before we knew it, the clock was ticking past ten. You know what they say: Time flies when you’re having fun.

“Ireena, you should return soon.”

“…Can I sleep here with you?” she asked, tugging gently on my sleeve, looking up at me with her big eyes, and pleading demurely.

It was supereffective.

“If I can’t sleep with you, I’ll be too lonely to sleep at all…”

And who could say no after hearing that?

I expressed my consent, turning out the light before we climbed into bed.

“I apologize for the cramped quarters.”

“It’s fine. I love snuggling right next to you,” she admitted somewhat bashfully, drawing my left arm closer to her to pad her head while she totally looked like a sweet angel.

Since my room was supplied with a bed meant for one person, it was almost like every inch of our bodies was touching. I mean, I was basically cradling her in my arms, which also meant that I was fully assaulted by her feminine softness and faint floral fragrance wafting off her warm body. Oh, and did I mention her chest? Her full breasts were pushed up against me, spilling onto my side of the bed with every breath, molding themselves against my chest. The gentle sensuality of her body pressed against mine was making me acutely aware of her womanhood.

Her breasts, both firm and supple as freshly made mochi; her breaths blowing agonizingly close against the back of my neck; her snowy, plump thighs wound around my legs; her seductive, feminine scent.

With all that said, it wasn’t like I harbored even a fraction of carnal desire for Ireena. After all, she was my good friend. Weiss had entrusted me with her care, and I saw her as my beloved daughter. All of this meant that I could never make her the target of these repulsive thoughts.

“Zzz, zzz…… I wuuuuve you, Awd…,” she innocently mumbled in her sleep.

We were friends. That was it. My feelings were purely platonic.

I stroked her lovely silver hair, breaking into a soft smile, and then returned to the thought that’d been running through my mind.

If I can keep this act up, I bet I can make tons of friends. But if they were to ever uncover the whole truth, everyone would distance themselves from me.

It would be a repeat of my previous life when my former friends became my subordinates. They’d treat me as a monster. They’d look at me with fear in their eyes. Just like Elrado.

Ireena would be no different, I bet. My mouth hardened at the thought of it. I don’t ever want this girl to fear me. I don’t ever want to let something precious slip away from me ever again.

To make sure that would never come to pass, I vowed I wouldn’t do anything that would draw undue attention to myself from here on out.

…Fast-forward to a few days following that promise.

I’d been called in by the headmaster for some reason or another. I made my way to his office after school, finding Count Golde waiting in front of his desk—and Olivia, who haughtily gazed down at me.

“Thanks for coming, Ard! I’ve heard many tales about your performance in class! Wonderful! Wonderful! I reckon you’ll make it into our history books, young man!”

I’m begging you to stop, lest her smile get bigger or more delighted.

“What business might you have with me today?”

“Right, about that. Did you know we host a battle event every spring for the students?”

“This is the first I’ve heard of it.”

“Hmm. I see, I see. Well, not to worry,” he consoled, fiddling with his beard. “Anyhoo. I’ve got a little favor to ask, Ard.”

“…What might that be?” I asked cautiously, feeling some dread simmering inside me.

But I tried to tell myself it was my imagination.

Back to his request. Drum roll, please.

“Participate in the next battle event and put on a marvelous performance!”

……………HA-HA-HA! CAN YOU BELIEVE THIS GUY?!

HA-HA-HA!

HA-HA-HA!

HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA!

NO!WAYIN!HELL!