LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 46
Chapter 46: Misunderstanding, Mother
Well then, I’m Zilbagias, the Demon Lord’s Prince, being interrogated by my mother while sitting on a tiny bone chair, formerly known as Hero Alexander.
It’s been a while since I last sat in the “Seat of Self-Reflection.” (Refer to Chapter 4) My butt is killing me.
“Now then… what on earth is going on, Zilbagias?”
Platy opens her fan with a serious face and questions me.
–What do you mean what’s going on? I’d like to know that too! While my memory was sealed, another part of me just acted on its own!
Still, Platy has a knack for timing, and her agility is something else.
I was shaken up when Liliana’s ego didn’t return, and just as I was shaking her shoulders in panic, she burst in like—
“—What do you think you’re doing—?!”
Whoa, that scream was something else. The look on Platy’s face at that moment was priceless. Now that I think about it, it might have been the first time she raised her voice at me…
By the way, when I had been made to sit on the “punishment chair,” Liliana bravely barked at Platy, “Wuff! Wuff!” but one sharp glare from Platy made her shrink back and hide behind the bed, letting out a pathetic whine.
Such a useless pup…!
Now, she occasionally peeks out from behind the bed, glancing at me with half her face showing…
“Well… a lot has happened.”
I gazed off into the distance but finally decided to speak up as if I were resigning myself.
“First, let me clarify, it’s not that my sexual desires got out of hand and I went wild.”
It’s true I took a liking to the Saint at first glance—but I explained things with that context. I covered the negotiations with the Night Elves, how I made Liliana believe she was a dog to get her under control, and how I gained significant influence through Sidarl via limited healing, and more.
“Hm…”
As she opened and closed her fan, Platy was pondering my words.
“Making treatment conditional on negotiation was quite clever.”
Knowing I wasn’t just some perverted kid running amok, she allowed me to stand up from the self-reflection seat.
“What do you intend to demand in exchange for the treatment?”
Let’s see… it seems “Zilbagias” hadn’t thought that far ahead…
“I hadn’t considered specifics, but I would like information.”
“What kind of information?”
“The status of the front lines and the movements within the allied territories as learned through their intelligence. I’m also interested in casual stories from the other races working in the Demon Lord’s castle before they submit their reports.”
The former would hold tremendous value for me. It would allow me to see the Night Elves’ intelligence network lurking within the allied territories directly. If my freedom increased in the future, I might somehow leak information to the alliance and potentially obliterate their intelligence network.
As for the latter, I hope to detect any movements that could hint at a rebellion against the Demon Race. I can’t support them openly, but I might indirectly stoke the simmering embers to worsen the situation.
By the way, the Night Elves serving as attendants to the Demon Race are bound by their unique magic to keep secrets, making them extremely tight-lipped. I can’t obtain information from Aiogias or Rubyphia’s attendants through Sidarl.
Flipping that around, it means the attendants around me won’t leak information to other factions either. That’s why the current status of the Night Elves is so highly regarded.
“…Information as the reward for treatment seems a bit too cheap. If you want information, feel free to ask for it, but on top of that, you may wish to impose a period of labor on the individual receiving treatment, making them work as your right-hand for a set time.”
“I see… So, not maids, I take it?”
Since the ones receiving treatment would mainly be fighters. I already have enough attendants.
“Indeed, of course.”
With a snap of her fan, Platy declared.
“I’m thinking of sending you into actual combat soon.”
She suddenly said something outrageous.
I struggled to maintain a casual expression so my face wouldn’t stiffen.
“…My first battle?”
“Calling it that might be a bit of an exaggeration. It’s not a formal first battle, but rather an opportunity to gain practical experience—let’s call it a drill.”
According to Platy.
Due to the intentional delay of the Demon Lord Army’s invasion to prevent the alliance from collapsing, the military had become overstaffed, and the demand for front-line troops—weak magical beastmen, goblins, ogres, and the like as cannon fodder—was diminishing.
The beastmen seem pleased they aren’t being used up as expendables, but the problem lies with the goblins and ogres. Having contributed as easily deployable forces since the dawn of the Demon Kingdom, they were now slowly being rendered unnecessary.
Warrior demons, wanting to achieve battle merits and promotions, are beginning to insist, “If we’re going to send a goblin into battle, let me fight instead.”
That was the “Goblins and Ogres Unnecessary Theory” I had heard in the Demon King’s office.
And with their functions diminished, the existence of goblins and ogres has started to become a nuisance. Ogres eat a lot, goblins are filthy and smelly, and above all, they’re stupid.
The Demon Army has now realized:
“Isn’t it about time we stopped needing goblins?”
I think it’s harsh after all the bloodshed, but… well, I don’t feel much sympathy for the goblins. I do feel a bit bad for the ogres.
And with the goblins and ogres’ positions and treatment deteriorating, there have been increasing reports of desertions from their squads lately. They had previously pillaged and enjoyed mating with other races’ (mainly humans’) females to their heart’s content, but those opportunities have significantly decreased, leading to rising discontent.
“While I don’t mind them just deserting and going wild in the forest…”
The problem is that they hatch in deserted forts or castles and start causing harm to surrounding residents, primarily the goblins.
Though those residents include beastmen and relatively weak demons, along with Night Elves, so they wouldn’t fall behind too much. However, if their numbers swell, it becomes a different story.
They’ll multiply the moment you let your guard down… and not to mention, they literally devour surrounding resources. There’s even a saying that if you see one goblin, there are ten lurking nearby.
Thus, if a group of goblins were to desert, they must be swiftly eliminated before they multiply.
“I was planning a little ‘expedition.’ Coincidentally, there are castles or forts nearby where deserters are likely to be lurking. It won’t be a formal first battle, though; a written record stating ‘First Harvest: Goblins’ would be unacceptable.”
“So, you’re saying you want me to get used to the feel of actual military operations in preparation for my first battle?”
“That’s right… but for you, I’m starting to feel like that kind of drill may not even be necessary…”
Platy smiled wryly.
“At this very moment, I think you’d manage just fine even if you were tossed into combat without hesitation. Is that just a mother’s bias?”
Well… to be honest, I’m already stronger than I was in my past life… and besides, the foes would be human soldiers, not demons.
I could manage easily… if I close my eyes to the psychological torment it would cause me.
“Well, mother, experience is everything. If that’s the case, I’d like to give it a try.”
It’s better than fighting on the front lines.
If anything, I could let a few goblins slip away to worsen the situation.
“How reassuring. Returning to the topic, consider the notion of limited militarization as compensation for the treatment of the Night Elves. Their tactics might be weak, but the human race sometimes uses similar methods, so there should be some value in that.”
As for negotiations, Platy pondered for a moment.
“I’ll leave the negotiations to you. Of course, if you want, I’m always here for consulting, but for the most part, you’re free to handle it as you see fit.”
“Is that alright?”
“Experience is everything. Unless it’s something significant, even failures can be addressed. The Night Elves are persistent schemers, but they also have a sense of loyalty. Learn how to handle them.”
“Understood.”
Alright, things are looking good now.
It seems my initial battle against the human race is still far off, so I can breathe a sigh of relief.
“…Speaking of which, about that High Elf…”
Platy shot a dangerous glare at Liliana.
Ahh. So it’s not over yet…
“Are you really intending to pursue such things, Zilbagias?”
She asked me in a tone as if she had something stuck in her teeth.
When she asks straight out like that, it really puts me in a bind.
“Is that bad?”
“…Do you, already have such desires? Even Diagias only developed his interest after coming of age…”
Seriously?!!
So that’s how demons operate… Though I did tell Sidarl, “I’m beginning to feel such desires,” in reality, I don’t exactly feel that way yet.
I’d be lying if I said I didn’t glance at her chest for a moment, but I haven’t awakened any of that messy horniness yet.
If it were a human body at this age, I’d surely have a million different things going on, so I had wondered why it felt odd.
Physical maturity comes quickly, but sexual maturity is slow for demons…
“If you… are feeling, that dissatisfaction… you don’t have to go to a High Elf. I could prepare a suitable partner from among our clan, you know…?”
Umm…
That’s downright odd to suggest to a five-year-old…
But then again, on reflection, it seems I’m the one who’s unusual…
“Actually, Mother…”
But I had prepared a reason for this kind of conversation, a valid justification for my attachment to Liliana.
“You might have noticed, but—my magical power is actually growing.”
In a moment, the wise Platyphia seemed to understand as she looked at me with surprise.
“Don’t tell me…”
She looked from my face to Liliana’s.
“Is that what it is? That demon’s magic? Is it the constraint of specifically targeting High Elves?”
“Yes. I can nurture my magical power.”
Strictly speaking, it’s a taboo scenario of treating former comrades as pets and so on.
“…………”
Platy covered her face with both hands.
“Mother. It’s all for the sake of gaining power.”
“……….. I understand. That Elf can be yours.”
With a sigh, Platy stood up.
“Congratulations, Liliana! You have my permission!”
I lifted up the now-hiding Liliana from behind the bed and gave her an exaggerated kiss, causing Platy to sigh once more before exiting the room in a hurry.
“—Fufufufuhahhaha! Did you see that face?! That face?!”
Antendereis burst out laughing.
“Woof!”
With the scary person gone, Liliana seemed pleased.
“Alright, alright, now you’re officially a part of our family!”
“Woww!”
Hahaha, what a cute little thing.
…Sigh.
—Why isn’t her memory returning?
While discussing with Antendereis, one possibility emerged.
“Perhaps she simply doesn’t want to return herself.”
These past seven years have been unbearably painful and agonizing memories.
However, having those painful memories sealed, she believes she is a different being.
As long as she continues to act like a dog, she can forget everything.
“It’s that she’s not consciously trying to remember her true self, but if she has no intention of doing so, there’s nothing we can do about it.”
Of course–I can awaken “Liliana.”
“You are not a dog; you are the Saint, Liliana.”
If I say those words infused with strong magical power…
But watching Liliana, bouncing towards me with a dazed expression, licking my cheek—
I can’t help wondering if that would truly benefit her.
In any case, as long as there’s no end in sight for escaping Liliana, she must continue to live in the Demon Lord’s castle as my pet.
If she has to endure humiliation, it might be better for her this way.
So until the right time comes, or she remembers on her own, I’ve decided to leave things as they are.
“I’m really sorry…”
As I petted Liliana’s head on the bed, I whispered.
“Woof?”
She looks up at me with sparkling eyes as if asking what’s wrong.
Liliana has some wild sides uncharacteristic of her long-lived race, but it’s still a fact that she was a proud High Elf.
If her memory returns, she might bang her head against the wall out of shame.
There’s likely a mountain of things she wants to say to me too.
When that time comes—I’ll accept that willingly.
“I hope that day comes.”
The day you can regain your freedom.
“…? Woof woof!”
It looks like it may be a while before my first battle happens.