CHAPTER 61
The Ex-Demon Lord’s Reflections on His Day
Even though he was the worst of degenerates, Lizer Bellphoenix had dared to air his grievances about our modern society, unable to contain his explosive emotions anymore. However, Ireena managed to clear his brooding mood. I knew Ireena was the best. She was sunshine personified.
She was the reason our time at the museum passed without incident…and after a lap around the building, we made our way back to the entrance.
“And with that, our sightseeing tour has come to an end. Was it to your satisfaction, Queen Rosa?”
Rosa nodded. “I have learned much during our time together and found the experience to be invaluable. I cannot express my gratitude enough, Your Eminence.”
“Think nothing of it. It was a fine recess for me… I apologize for growing heated inside. I may have had a slip of the tongue… I would be most grateful if you erased it from your minds.”
“Your Eminence has spoken nothing worthy of that. I will keep thy anguish about the state of this world close to my heart. Hereafter, I shall focus my energies to become a ruler who can fulfill my responsibilities.”
“…It pleases me to hear that.”
With that, we exited the building. The sun had almost entirely set, and the sky was starting to darken. The day was almost over.
“It has grown late,” Lizer observed. “Our subordinates might give us a scolding for staying out too long, Queen Rosa.”
“Ah, but it is of little consequence to our party. After all, we are accompanied by Ard Meteor.”
Rosa had just hoisted more problems onto my plate. I cracked a cynical smile.
“Well then, I bid you goodnight,” Lizer said quietly…and then then he addressed me directly for whatever reason. “Let us meet again soon, Ard Meteor.”
In your dreams.
Lizer’s parting words made me want to clap back on reflex.
On our way back to the manor, the sky had grown completely dark. There was something different about the townscape at night, compared to the day. Powered by magic, streetlamps lit up the stalls set up on the main road. Even the pedestrians took on a different form. Children at heart, Rosa and Ireena began to beg to check out the stalls and nightlife…but I managed to get them to keep it together.
I basically dragged them back to the manor… Needless to say, we received a long scolding from Prime Minister Valdr as soon as we passed through the gate.
After eating supper and taking a bath, we retired to our own rooms—which were all next to one another, allowing us to react if something happened to the queen.
Not that an invasion would occur under my watch. Just as before, I cast a net of detection magic around the area to enjoy a little time alone in my room.
“Phew. This bed is so comfortable…”
I sunk into the pillowy mattress and filled my lungs with a deep breath.
“I’m…drained… This was a long day… And it’s all thanks to…”
Lizer Bellphoenix. That old general was the root of all this.
Who would have imagined we would reunite here? And who would have guessed he’d be the pope? My mind refused to process this information.
“…Well, I can guess why he took this position.”
Lizer was hoping to reconstruct the society I had built at the end of the ancient era. That’s why he took on the job. The pope had much more authority than a king.
“To think that guy would have such intense political opinions.”
The man known as Lizer was a mystery, an enigma. I wasn’t just talking about his personal history. Back then, I had dealt with him without having even the slightest clue what he was thinking. After all, he had kept opinions to a minimum, compared to my other subordinates. When he occasionally made a point, it was usually about bringing salvation to little children.
“He was reserved compared to the rest of my depraved army. I mean, I guess girl-loving perverts were a dime a dozen… Not that it makes it any better.”
Though Lizer Bellphoenix was a Heavenly King, he didn’t call attention to himself. In fact, he barely interacted with others…and I had kept our conversations to a minimum. We stuck to exchanging just the facts. I couldn’t recall ever touching on his feelings.
“Minus his fixation on little children, he can be an apathetic guy. At least, that’s my impression…but I guess I’ll have to rethink my assessment.”
Thinking back to the incident at the history museum, I let out a tired groan.
“He’s dangerous.”
He was completely indifferent toward humanity. He didn’t believe in the slightest that people could possess any beauty. He disregarded us as nothing but nasty and foul.
…Maybe that was why I had trouble with him.
Because…we were in agreement. Humans were disgusting little creatures.
And yet…I wanted to believe otherwise. I wanted to be like Lydia, who had loved and believed in the human species…and demonkind. I wanted to have faith in the beauty of humanity. I wanted to love people.
The only problem was…that I couldn’t do that wholeheartedly, unlike Lydia. I didn’t have the proof to declare we were more than just hideous beasts.
“Lydia saw beauty in all of us, even without hard evidence… That must be why we took different paths in life. She was lauded as the Champion, loved by many. Even though she was as powerful as me, only I was feared as the Demon Lord.”
…I used to think I was lonely because the masses were terrified of my power…but I knew I was making excuses for myself.
It was because I didn’t have faith in people. Because I couldn’t love them from the bottom of my heart. That was why I had raced down the wrong path…headfirst into despair.
“If I don’t change that part of myself, I’ll end up lonely in this life… Man, I really was born with a cursed fate.”
I wanted to have faith that there was good in humanity. I wanted to think we were more than pathetic worms.
However…I have no idea how to change my mindset. I gave a weary sigh.
That’s enough contemplation for today. I’m just getting down on myself. Maybe I should turn off the lights and go to bed, I thought, when I heard a few quick raps on my door.
It echoed through the room.
Oh, Ireena must want to sleep with me.
I called out, “Come in.”
Standing in the doorway was…
“…Your Majesty?”
The lovely Queen Rosa.
Her golden hair was slightly damp from the bath, and her porcelain complexion was flushed pink. Her sheer white negligee was translucent…and I caught sight of her soft skin.
I started to blush when I took in the slinky dress. Rosa’s lips curled into a sweet smile when she picked up on my embarrassment.
“So virginal. Great men are said to be fond of sensual pleasures and bold in the bedroom. Yet thou hast already fallen to such state from the smallest glimpse of a sexy lass.”
I couldn’t find the words.
Her sensual body was like some type of poison.
I averted my gaze. “Wh-what business do you have with me?”
“I thought I’d come to collect thy seed.”
“…Excuse me?” That caught me off guard. My eyes snapped in her direction.
Rosa must have drawn closer when I was looking away, because she was right in front of me.
“Tah ,” she teased, pushing me down by the shoulders onto the bed. I could immediately feel her softness across my whole body.
Rosa was on top of me.
“Wh-wh-what are you doing?!”
“I just told thee. I came to collect thy seed.”
“Wait. What? No! We’re not in that kind of relationship!”
“Who says only lovers make babies? Point me to the law that prohibits it. And I am royalty. An excellent male specimen cancels out lineage, appearance, and feelings. And…thou satisfy every condition anyway.”
Rosa licked her lips. She was like a carnivore locking onto its prey.
“P-please let me go. I’m not comfortable doing this without being in love…!”
“In that case, you should push me away with all your might. Otherwise…well…it means thou art a lewd man.”
And how could I disagree with her?
…Rosa was right. I was a fool, just like the other men.
“Well? Give it to me. ”
Her red lips slowly drew closer. I closed my eyes tight on instinct.
…But I never felt their softness. I timidly cracked open my eyes.
“Heh-heh…! Hee-hee-hee-hee-hee…!”
I saw her lips twitch as if desperately trying to hold something back.
“Bwa-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha! You fell for it! Bwa-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha! L-look at you! With closed eyes! Like some innocent maiden! Bweh-heh! Bwa-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!”
Rosa squealed in laughter, clutching her stomach as she rolled across the bed.
…I see. I’ve been pranked.
“What a fine hobby… Is it fun to toy with the pure feelings of innocent boys?”
“Bwa-ha-ha-ha-ha! Don’t be so mad! It was all in good fun!” She hit me in the gut as she continued to lie on the bed.
“…Sure. If you’re done tricking me, can you leave? I will be going to bed soon.”
“Heh-heh. Treating the queen in such a way? Thou must be a big catch. Though…your size leaves much to be desired. Heh-heh-heh.”
“…Please do not be so immodest. You are a lady, after all.”
“Hmm? Immodest? I was trying to say thou hast no sizable confidence if thou cannot handle the ladies. Hmm? What were thou envisioning, Ard? Tell me.”
…She was pissing me off. She was on the same level as Verda and Alvarto. They got a big kick out of constantly laughing at my expense.
“I’ve had enough. Please leave. Now.”
“Come on. Don’t be upset. We’re just getting started. Let me stay.”
Rosa sighed…and her expression snapped into something new. Her scheming smirk grew gentle.
“I had fun today,” she said suddenly.
“…Me too.”
“There were a number of surprises. What especially caught my attention was…Ireena.”
“Ireena?”
“Correct. Do you recall when His Eminence lost it at the museum?”
“…Yes.”
“She said everything I should have said… But I couldn’t even express anything of substance. I could barely handle looking the pope in his eyes.”
Huh. I didn’t think anything of it, but I guess the average person would become hypervigilant in front of Lizer.
…But Ireena was different.
“She stood before His Eminence’s terrifying countenance and spoke her mind. Hee-hee. It feels like my dear friend has grown distant. Were you the one who took her to new heights, Ard Meteor?”
There was something pained in her eyes. I maintained my silence. I had no idea how to respond. As I remained bewildered, Rosa continued.
“During our first encounter, I thought terribly of Ireena—dimwitted, negative, temperamental, competitive, wild… I wondered how I would ever get along with her.” Lying down on the bed, Rosa gazed up at the ceiling as she reminisced. “…Pray tell, Ard Meteor. What do you think of Ireena?”
“Hmm. If I started from the beginning, it would take three days and three nights… In short…I find her to be a friend that one discovers once in a lifetime.”
“Hee-hee. I see. Thou art a fine man, indeed.”
“I’m inclined to disagree. I am very normal. Anyone who meets Ireena for even a moment will fall for her. I am simply one of them.”
“Ah. Her looks alone will enchant just about anyone. But…how many people can continue to love her after they know the truth?”
Her question left me wordless once again. I wished I could be optimistic and claim that everyone would love her, obviously. However…I remained silent because I couldn’t bring myself to say it.
“Well, having thee by her side is enough for Ireena,” she murmured, tightly squeezing my hand. “…Remember Valdr’s words in the carriage on our way here? People fear what they do not know. He is right. Even I initially saw Ireena as a monster.”
“But she is your dear friend now, isn’t she?”
“Yes. But…we are the minority. We might be the only ones who know the truth and continue to love her. In all honesty… I do not trust people. I agree with His Eminence: Humans are pathetic.”
“………”
“If the world ever discovers her true identity, they will turn on her. Those who doted on the daughter of a great hero will look upon her with disdain…and try to eliminate her.”
Her hand squeezed tighter. Rosa looked at me, begging me with her eyes.
“Protect Ireena. You are the only one I can trust.”
Her expression was grave, and I couldn’t help but feel suspicious.
Why was she asking this of me? I was just about to ask her…
“Ard! Let’s sleep…together…?”
The door burst open, and Ireena instantly froze when she witnessed us.
Crap, I immediately thought.
I could see what she was witnessing.
The beautiful queen was lying in bed next to me, cradling my hand.
It looked…like we had just finishing doing the deed.
“Wh-wh-wh-what…? What are you dooooooing?!”
Her face flushed crimson, and her eyes narrowed at us.
I began to explain the situation to Ireena. “P-please, wait. This is a complete misunderstanding—”
“Bwa-ha-ha-ha-ha! Ireena! Thy friend is vital! Begging for more, even after our passionate entanglement!”
The stupid queen had to go and say that.
“Y-y-y-your…passionate…entanglement…?!”
“Hmm? Did you know what that means? Hee-hee-hee. Seems thou hast matured in more ways than one. But a virgin, eh? Hoping to satisfy Ard? Maybe in thy dreams.”
“Grr…! Nghh…! Even for you, Rosie…this is crossing the liiiiine!”
…Chaos in every sense of the word. The servants of the manor and Valdr ended up getting involved, but the clamor still lasted throughout the night.
The next day.
The morning was so quiet that I almost forgot about the uproar from the previous night. We were eating breakfast in the manor’s spacious dining hall. Given they were serving the queen and her retinue, the meal was extravagant, even for breakfast.
“Mm-mmmm. The meat in this dish is divine! I wish Sylphy could try some.”
“What about Ginny?” I asked.
“The side of potatoes is enough for her.”
“Hee-hee. Brutal,” the queen commented.
Delicious food and pleasant conversation.
This is what I wanted. I’d always been on the lookout for these quiet moments. I wished they would continue until the end of time.
“W-w-we have a problem!”
One of the servants fretfully flung open the door, scrambling into the dining hall. In that instant, I let out a mental sigh.
…I was beginning to think I was cursed. What else could explain my propensity for trouble?
“What is with this?! You are in the presence of Her Majesty! Cease your ranting and raving, fool!”
“Thou art the most loud, Valdr. You have thoroughly spit upon mine face. When we return home, I shall immediately cut your paycheck—”
“Spiiiit it out! Teeeell us what happened! Report!” Valdr shrieked at the servant as Rosa’s gaze made him break out in a cold sweat.
“A-a-a-a guest! H-h-h-has a-a-a-a-arrived!”
“A guest? I have no business with anyone rude enough to visit in the early hours of the morning! They must be a merchant of some manner! Send them on their way!”
“N-n-n-n-no, th-th-that is, well—” The servant was absolutely petrified.
Hollow footsteps echoed in the hallway.
The aforementioned guest waltzed into the dining hall.
“Pardon my early morning visit. I haven’t much time these days… I hope you’ll forgive my rudeness, Prime Minister Valdr.”
“Y-y-y-y-you are…!” Valdr trembled from head to toe, drenched in sweat.
Who was this visitor?
“…As I promised, we meet again.”
“…A bit too quickly, wouldn’t you say?” I asked.
Once a Heavenly King and general, now a pope, Lizer Bellphoenix.
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