The Greatest Demon Lord Is Reborn as a Typical Nobody - Volume 2 - Chapter 26

CHAPTER 26 

The Ex–Demon Lord’s Plans for the School Festival, Part III 

After school at sunset, we walked down the road to our dorm. I was seriously beat. It felt as though time had stretched out at the academy, just a bit. All thanks to Sylphy…who was currently walking right behind me, Ireena, and Ginny, jabbing at our backs with her stares.

I stuck to my policy of ignoring her, but Ginny had reached her limit and whipped around. “Miss Sylphy. How long do you intend on following us?”

“Isn’t that obvious?! I’ll follow you anywhere!” She gushed, as if confessing her love.

Unfortunately, that wasn’t the way she meant it.

…Well, I guess it wasn’t unfortunate .

“We’re returning to our love nest. Outsiders should take themselves elsewhere.”

Ginny’s attitude was ice-cold, maybe due to Sylphy’s hostile stare.

But Sylphy wasn’t one to be dissuaded. Rather, the mention of a love nest had piqued her interest. “Wh-what the heck is that?!”

“It’s just as it sounds. We all live in the same room.”

The same room, huh? She must have been referring to the one she forcefully renovated.

After the incident with Elzard, I began living with Ireena in a single room at the dormitory for aristocrats in order to protect her. That was when Ginny had barged in from next door, pulverizing the wall to make the room big enough for three people.

“L-living together, you say…! I-Ireena, boss, you too?!”

“Of course! Ard and I are two peas in a pod!”

“Gweh?! …A-Ard Meteor! You wouldn’t make a move on my big sister, would you?!”

“Never.”

Ireena was a precious friend whose father entrusted me with her care. I couldn’t imagine doing anything to sully the girl more important than life itself.

“Grrrrr…! I can’t trust you…! For the Demon Lord to not lay a hand on a beautiful girl…!”

Oh, come on. Why do you think I’m a sex-obsessed lowlife? 

In the old world, I’d never even held hands with a decent member of the opposite sex…though I did hold hands with the not-so-decent ones (i.e., Olivia and Lydia).

“Y-you need to be under strict surveillance! I’d initially planned on keeping an eye on you twenty-four-seven! This has me more fired up than ever!”

“What…? Oh dear. You, living with us…? Come now. What a pain. Besides, where would you sleep…?” Ginny eyed her scornfully.

On the other hand… “I don’t see the problem. Adding another person isn’t a big deal. Besides…with Sylphy around, I’m sure everything will be even more fun.”

“Gweh?!” 

Sylphy probably hadn’t been expecting this response. Her large eyes filled with tears…which could only mean that she’d tailed us to the dorms because she’d wanted to be friends with Ireena, not just keep an eye on me.

…In that case, I had no reason to refuse. She didn’t want to be only Ireena’s friend; she wanted to connect with everyone.

If she did that, then even the hole in her heart from constantly losing that which was precious to her might be filled…one day.

As far as Sylphy Marheaven could tell, Ard Meteor had an extremely fast and loose lifestyle. Just living with two girls must have been enough to create sexual tension, but they’d even ended up sleeping in the same bed. Which is why it was super-weird that he hadn’t tried to make a move.

Ireena was practically a goddess, and Ginny was charming, too. With tiny waists, large boobs, and bubble butts, they both possessed a sensuality that Sylphy did not. How could any man keep his hands off them?

It’s so suspicious…! I knew it! Ard Meteor must be the Demon Lord…! Meaning he’s my enemy! The enmity in her heart for Ard deepened.

And right now, Sylphy was in the middle of something…

“Phew! It’s been a while since we’ve taken a proper bath!”

“I can feel my exhaustion getting washed awaaaaay.”

…Specifically, she was in the large public bath attached to the dorms for aristocrats, soaking with Ireena and Ginny.

“Ahhh… These giant baths are the best. It feels extra-nice since I’ve been taking showers lately,” Ireena said, her deep whisper melting into the warm, wafting steam.

As she’d just said, Ireena adored baths, but she hadn’t been able to take one for two weeks. This had been under Ard’s orders…but from what Sylphy understood, it wasn’t anything he deserved criticism for demanding. After all, demons were targeting Ireena, so she left their dorm as little as possible and always had her protector, Ard, with her—which meant putting up with the small bathroom attached to the room.

Because she’d felt sympathetic, Sylphy had negotiated with Ard directly, who conceded, “…Well, I suppose there’s no problem if you’re with her. ”

And Sylphy had been able to treat the girl who she saw as an elder sister with a relaxing soak in the bath.

“Well then, I think I’m ready to wash up.”

“Oh, me too.”

Conversing in relaxed tones, Ginny and Ireena stood up, cutting through the bathwater with a splash and exposing their bare bodies.

Their measurements were spectacular. Both had full breasts, yet their waists were suitably taut.

Sylphy looked down at her own chest.

“…It’s okay. I’ll keep growing. I’m sure of it.” Sylphy was dealing with some unidentifiable emotions as she sat there.

“Come and join us. I’ll wash your back.”

She wasn’t expecting anyone to call out to her and involuntarily went “Gweh?! ” in surprise.

“What? You don’t want me to?”

“Th-th-th-that’s not it at all! Please!” Sylphy shot out of the bath with an impressive splash of bathwater.

The three moved over to the side wall and sat on stools. Next to Sylphy, Ireena slipped off the washcloth hanging from a rod and lathered it with soap.

“Good work today. Is this your first time in a school?”

“Y-yes, that’s right.”

“I see. You must have been nervous,” Ireena cooed in a gentle voice as she vigorously scrubbed Sylphy’s back.

At times, it was a little intense and painful if Sylphy were being honest. This was…the same pressure as Lydia. In the past, Sylphy had taken a bath with Lydia, who was like a mother and big sister to her. And she’d always scrubbed Sylphy’s back like this.

“I-it hurts, Sis.” 

“Grin and bear it. This gets the dirt off better.” 

Memories of those days came rushing back… Before she realized it, Sylphy was sinking into nostalgia.

“Hm? What’s wrong? You seem down.”

“What? A-ah, no, it’s nothing!” She turned to face Ireena, whose puzzled facade was identical to Lydia’s stunning face…

“H-hey, Ireena.” Sylphy opened her mouth, succumbing to her desires. “D-do you think…we could be friends…?” The last part was barely a whisper because she’d been rejected once before.

And she knew she’d be turned down again, but she wasn’t about to give up. She wanted to be Ireena’s friend.

After all, Ireena was just like Lydia with her honest heart, and Sylphy wanted to be friends with someone who was really, truly, sincerely wonderful.

“Excuse me? What?” Ireena replied, sounding fed up.

Sylphy slumped her shoulders. So it was hopeless after all.

“Aren’t we already friends?”

“…Huh?” She gawked at Ireena with wide eyes.

Ireena continued as she scrubbed over and under Sylphy’s arms. “Yeah, I hate anyone who’s hostile toward Ard or says heartless things, and I wouldn’t want to be friends with them… But well, you’re an exception. I can’t seem to just leave you be. And besides…”

She paused for a moment and took up a showerhead fueled by sorcery. As it burbled with warm water from the power of magic stones, Ireena tenderly rinsed the bubbles off Sylphy’s body.

“I’m not sure why, but I find you strangely endearing. You made a terrible first impression…but I’m over it now. Which is why we’re taking a bath together.”

“Y-you really don’t hate me?”

“I wouldn’t be washing you right now if I did.”

“A-and you’ll be my friend?”

“I. Just. Told. You. We’re already friends.” Ireena flashed a wry smile that overwhelmed Sylphy.

“Waaah! Ireeeeeena!” Sylphy pounced on Ireena.

“Hold on! Ack?! ” She toppled over from the force of the hug as Sylphy buried her face in Ireena’s huge boobs.

“I did it! I finally made a new friend! Waaaaaaah! ” She sobbed, producing tears that poured like waterfalls.

Ireena gently stroked her red hair. “Oh, that’s right, you’ve lost one friend after another… In the end, you battled the Evil Gods all alone. That’s when you went missing in action.”

“What?” Sylphy had no recollection of that, but this didn’t seem like the right time to correct her.

“You’ve always been searching for new friends… In a way, I can relate to those feelings.” Ireena let out a soft smile as she continued to run her fingers through Sylphy’s hair. It was almost maternal and made her seem even more like Lydia. “You’re not alone anymore. As your friend, I’ll stay by your side.”

“…Thank you, Ireena.”

They smiled at each other.

This situation…made Sylphy long to see Lydia more than ever.

Where was she? What was she doing right now? It had been thousands of years, but there was no way she could have died.

I’ll find her someday. And then I’ll inform her that I made a new friend with her likeness. 

Sylphy smiled softly, projecting that very moment in her mind.

“…What the—? It’s like I’m not even here…,” Ginny murmured with a mixed expression, but neither seemed to notice or care.

The Laville National Academy of Magic.

It was the oldest and best learning institution in the Laville Empire of Sorcery. Its grounds were vast enough to fit a small-scale village and fitted with the usual accoutrements—an athletic field and school buildings—plus, a large structure dedicated to sorcery experiments, an underground labyrinth for incoming and outgoing traffic, and a host of other facilities scattered about its campus.

And it was currently showcasing a completely different scene than its usual affair.

“The third-years in Class B are hosting a sorcery attraction! Come visit—” 

“If you visit the booth made by the second-years in Class C, we’ll guide you through a dazzling world of illusions—” 

The endless stream of broadcasts dissolved into the hustle and bustle on campus as the academy took on the appearance of a shopping district. Guests meandered through the myriad of student-run shops, big and small, and among the cheerful voices blaring through the space was an anomaly that blended without a trace.

“Heh-heh. It’s good to see everyone overflowing with joy. If it wasn’t for their excitement, the despair and anguish to come won’t look nearly as impressive.” The figure stifled a laugh, taking in the surrounding scene.

A number of costumed students walked the school grounds, which was why this individual in the tailcoat and strange mask went unnoticed—even though this character actually had an unaccountable air. Underneath the mask, this silhouette spun around in a dance, venturing farther into the academy when a certain boy and girl came into view.

Ard Meteor and Ireena Litz de Olhyde.

After observing them stroll through the booths in excitement, the masked figure let out: “Having fun, Ard Meteor? Oh, I imagine you’re having a ball. Passing the time with a friend that you’ve made at long last . How very merry. But…I haven’t had my share of fun, unfortunately. And it’s all your fault. Honestly, your existence is beyond saving,” murmured the mask, stifling a chuckle and staring at them fixedly.

“Go ahead and enjoy this to the utmost. Oh, what lies ahead is for the best. Most convenient for you, I’d say. At any rate, Ard Meteor—

“From here on out, your life will crumble and tumble ever downward.”