Chapter 85

The Medal of Honor Award Ceremony

The next day, I put on a dress and headed to the ceremony hall .

Just yesterday we had such an intense battle, but now we’re here in the ceremony hall that was decorated in flowers as if it all didn’t happen .

There were others besides us who weren’t demons and were being awarded . They were talking to each other nearby, and from the conversations I could pick up, they seemed to be scholars . It wasn’t a lie that the demons would be honoring all kinds of people in this ceremony .

“This is making me nervous, but I really can’t cause any more of a scene…”

The people I fought yesterday were here in the hall as well . As I passed them by, either one of us would start an awkward exchange of “Sorry about yesterday,” and “No, no, I’m sorry as well…”

I was a bit relieved upon seeing Beelzebub and Vania .

“Boy was I really worried there for a second . ”

“That’s my line . That might’ve been the biggest pinch I’ve ever had to go through in my life… I thought that if I were to stick with you, I’d never be bored, but please spare me from anything like yesterday . ”

Beelzebub seemed exhausted, her fluttering wings expressing the same emotion .

“I thought I was going to die… I had even resigned myself to at some point…”

Vania’s turned pale, an expression not exactly fit for this prestigious ceremony .

Next to Vania was a demon whose face resembled her’s .

“Who’s this?”

“I’m the leviathan Fahtra . The one everyone was riding on . ”

“Ah, we were under your care . Thank you!”

“I’m part of the staff for today’s ceremony . Personally, I think flying through the air is much easier . I mean, handling reception means dealing with people right? When I’m flying, all I need to worry about is flying safely . ”

I could get where she’s coming from . When heading to a work destination while riding in company vehicle, the ride itself was quite pleasant . If your boss wasn’t there, then you can freely chat or even stop by a convenience store to get some snacks .

“Well then, I’ll be serving you today . Here’s your drink for the ceremony . ”

Fahtra offered me a glass with some kind of alcoholic beverage . It might just be a universal concept to have alcohol during occasions like this .

Leica and I took our glasses, but after that, Vahnia cut us short .

“Uhm… for those who tend to blackout after getting drunk, or those not good with alcohol, please drink water instead…”

Vahnia made an obvious glance towards Harukara .

“I understand… I’ll control myself…”

Things should move on smoothly so long as Harukara keeps up her guard . Knocking Pecola out was just an unfortunate accident .

“Give Farufa and Sharusha water as well, ok . ”

Apparently slimes were bad at breaking down alcohol . You can kind of tell they were just by looking at them, so it was a bit of an obvious fact .

“I was a little worried about what kind of ceremony one held by the demon race would be, but it’s quite refined isn’t it, Azusa-sama . ”

Leica, who very much let out the air of an ojou-sama, looked around the ceremony hall .

“As expected, you’re pretty familiar with ceremonies like these, aren’t you Leica . ”

“I am . It’s not much different from the ones held by dragons . I’m sure things will proceed without any trouble . ”

Leica, those words do nothing but set up flags, so please say no more…

— Then a soldier shouted out, “The demon lord-sama is entering-!”

Pecola appeared and was standing on a slightly elevated stage .

“Everyone, I thank you all for coming today at such a busy time . I am the demon lord Provat Pecola Aryess . I’d like to hurry and get started, and shall be awarding the medals out in order . First will be in the field of magic . For the great contributions given to raising the standards of defense strengthening magic, Mantoya-san . ”

The person, who was the splitting image of a mage, received a medal-like object from Pecola .

Things looked pretty normal so far .

“Next would be in the field of nature — Noruelle-san for successfully cultivating blue roses . ”

The one who came out out was an aged man who seemed completely clueless as to why he was called out to come here . It was easy to imagine that his summons from the demons to receive the medal came suddenly .

Afterwards, the awards continued on for various other fields . Probably due to Pecola’s personality, the ceremony was carried out in a rough, easygoing manner .

“Now then, next in the field of peace — the witch of the highland Azusa-san . Here . ”

I shook her hand and then stood up at the front of the stage . I went through a load of trouble to receive this medal .

“Azusa-san is-”

However, Pecola started to give a teasing smile .

“The truth is, it’s not just Azusa-san . ”

Hm? What did she mean by that?

Azusa-san ended the long standing feud between the red and the blue dragons . But while I’m at it, I would like to offer awards to the dragons as well . ”

Pecola gazed towards Leica .

“Eh? Me…?”

Leica stood there with her finger pointed towards her own face . She then went over to shake the demon lord’s hand and made to also stand upon the stage .

“I see . That was a pretty good trick . ”

It’s true that without Leica’s help, I wouldn’t have been able to put a stop to the feud .

But Pecola still had on a smile as if she were up to something . It kind of bothered me…

“The red dragon Leica-san has stepped on stage . Next there’s one more, the blue dragon Furattorute-san, please come here!”

“”Eh!?””

Leica and I shouted in unison .

A girl with horns and a dragon’s tail opened the door and entered .

There was no mistake . It was Furattorute in her human form .

“Furattorute-san also contributed in ensuring that no more disputes occurred from the blue dragon’s side . I would like to congratulate her as well . ”

“You really like surprising people don’t you . ”

Furattorute nervously got up on the stage . As expected, lining up beside Leica was awkward for her . The same could be said for Leica though .

“I-It’s been a while Leica…”

“Now then, I’ll be giving the award to each of you now~”

How she was just letting us hold the single medal one by one showed how haphazardly she was handling this .

“With this, the peace between the dragons have been sanctioned . If any conflicts are to erupt once more, then know that that would be the same as smearing dirt on my face as the demon lord . I’ll be in your care then . ”

Pecola let out a grin .

I see . This was her idea to further ensure that any discord between the dragons would not occur .

“I, I understand… The blue dragons will abstain  from doing so…”

Furattorute was shaking pretty badly . Even the dragons were scared of the demon lord, huh .