LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 74
Chapter 74: Like the Dark Dwellers
“…Ngh.”
Before I knew it, I was in my bed in my room.
Looking out the window, I saw the sunlight streaming through the curtains.
It seemed I had woken up at a rather awkward time for a demon.
“…This has happened before…”
Ah, that was… the day I was forced to fight the human soldiers for the first time. I had gone to bed early, completely exhausted, and woke up around this time.
On the shelf in the corner of the room, five skulls were still enshrined. I had asked for them to ensure that they wouldn’t be used by the undead to serve as dark minions after death.
…It seems they are still watching over me from the afterlife. I picked up a spear-like bone resting by my pillow and offered a prayer once again.
I’m always sorry… and thank you…!
“Zzz… Zzz…”
Beside me, Liliana was sleeping soundly, breathing softly. Even Antende, now in human form, was sprawled out, snoring loudly with his belly exposed.
He was probably indulging in slumber like a lower life form, enjoying his time. This guy sure enjoyed the human body… he was sleeping like a log.
I quietly slipped out of bed, trying not to wake them. Liliana stirred, seemingly reaching for my warmth, but she snuggled closer to Antende, reassured, and began to breathe peacefully again. Antende let out a sleepy grunt but continued his deep slumber, pulling Liliana closer like a pillow.
Ah, yes. How beautiful it is to be in harmony…
That Liliana can sleep so peacefully and defenseless makes me feel saved as well. It’s hard to believe, considering the horrific treatment she has endured.
Even if this peace has come after having her memories sealed and being reduced to a pet… still, I can’t help but wish for her peace of mind to last as long as possible.
“Are you awake?”
As I stepped out of the room, I found Sophia sitting on a small chair by the door, reading a book.
“Ah. Can you bring me something to drink and a light snack? A sandwich or something will do.”
“Understood.”
With a snap, Sophia closed her book and went to instruct a low-ranking servant.
“Oh, by the way. Since it’s a nice occasion, could you pack it all in a basket and bring it? Let’s eat somewhere else in the castle.”
“At this time of day? Understood.”
Sophia tilted her head, puzzled by my request. She wouldn’t understand how much I love the sunshine in my soul…
It’s been a while since I could be active during the day. I couldn’t bring myself to wake the two in my room, so I thought I’d enjoy a picnic-like walk and snack somewhere nice instead.
After a brief wait, Sophia returned.
Accompanied by a maid in a cute outfit: Leila.
“Ah… Hehe… here are your sandwiches and drinks…”
With a grin and her usual charming smile, Leila presented the basket.
“…Are you sure you’re okay? Haven’t you slept?”
I was a bit surprised as I took the basket. Why was Leila acting as a maid at this time?
“Ah, I’m okay… um, rather, I feel good, you see, I’m of the light element…”
Hehe… with a shadowy self-deprecating smile, she slightly looked down.
“She seemed a bit insomniac, so I included her in the daytime rotation. She insisted on being a maid since not doing anything made her uneasy…”
Sophia explained, throwing her hands up slightly in exasperation.
“I-I see… You don’t have to work if you don’t want to, studying is also fine, you know?”
“Ah, h-hey! I’m really trying to study and I’m very grateful for it, but I feel like studying all the time isn’t quite right… It’s not that I dislike it, but still—”
Leila hurriedly shook her head, her words tumbling out.
Ah… even if I understand how important it is, studying all the time is tough… I completely get how she feels.
Sophia and I exchanged glances and shared a small wry smile, remembering our own stubborn defiance against studying when we were younger—though I’m still five years old now.
Leila shrank back like a child afraid of being scolded.
“You can spend your time as you like. The most important thing is that it’s not burdensome or distressing for you. I’m not in a rush nor pressuring you.”
I said, trying to be friendly.
“You’re… relatively free, after all.”
In the end, I had to phrase it that way since she was still under my authority.
“Well then, shall we go eat somewhere?”
“I’ll accompany you.”
“Ah, then, I-I’ll also…”
Naturally, Sophia would come along for protection, but Leila insisted on joining as well.
With the Holy Sword and a rolled-up bone at my waist, I carried a basket of sandwiches. I felt rather peculiar walking through the Demon Lord’s Castle like this.
—If there’s one place that fits this picnic vibe, I only knew of one.
“Wow… there are so many flowers…”
In the courtyard of the Demon Lord’s Castle. The sunlight poured down on the raucously beautiful, chaotic garden filled with autumn flowers.
It seemed this was Leila’s first time here, and her eyes sparkled at the sight of orange, purple, and yellow flowers.
“Ah, be careful, that’s poisonous.”
“Yikes…!”
However, the flower Leila was about to sniff was definitely an ingredient for paralysis poison. With a jump reminiscent of a cat, she distanced herself. In that moment, I caught a glimpse of her father Faravgi’s agility.
He was just like that…
“Sophia, why don’t you teach her about the flowers while we’re here?”
“Understood. Leila, this is the flower of the Purple Sagewort. The sagewort has a calming effect when brewed as tea, but the ones with purple flowers are particularly strong— and this here is the Redbane flower, which has a strong hair loss effect when boiled—”
Sophia showcased her vast knowledge, while Leila crouched down, observing the actual plants and listening intently with keen interest.
I wonder if Leila likes flowers. Regardless, I hope she learns from things she’s interested in…
Taking a seat on a bench in the courtyard, I opened the basket and bit into a sandwich. The warm sunlight, the beautiful girls (demon and white dragon) frolicking in the garden— it was somewhat blinding to my demon eyes, but a heartwarming sight…
I picked up a dwarven-made sealed goblet and took a sip of tea. Hmm… this is peace…
—But just as I thought that, suddenly everything went dark in front of me.
“Whooo’s there?”
Someone’s chilly hand covered my eyes from behind.
“—W-Who the hell are you!?”
I almost dropped the goblet. It was a genuine shock; I genuinely hadn’t felt anyone’s presence.
When I swatted the hand away and turned around, I met the gaze of a grinning woman. Adorned in a fancy robe with intricate embroidery, her pale skin and crimson lips peeked from under the deep hood. A beauty— that wouldn’t be inaccurate, but there was something elusive and doll-like about her features.
“Get away from me! Who are you!?”
Noticing the anomaly, Sophia rushed over. The mysterious beauty feigned surprise, taking several steps back with a “Wah!”
Next, Leila rushed over and, upon seeing the woman, made a disgusted sound, “Ew…”
The beauty also responded with a smirk, as if intrigued, her smile condescending.
“Huh, so you got a High Elf next, and now you have a White Dragon. You really do have a pretty unusual entourage, huh?”
“…Who are you?”
“Ahh, did you really forget me? I thought about you so much…!”
The woman put on an exaggeratedly sad act at my straightforward question.
With her glassy eyes and shallow tone, and more than anything, the faintly thick magical power surrounding her, the memories came flooding back.
“…Enma.”
The Undead King, the ruler of the undead.
“Oh! I’m glad you remembered! If you had forgotten, I would have been so sad; I wouldn’t have known what to do!”
Wriggling, Enma casually sat down next to me. Sophia seemed to have deduced her identity and retracted her hostile demeanor.
Leila wore a strained expression. To her, being in the presence of Enma, who epitomized the most blasphemous aspects of the dark element, would be instinctively hard to accept…
Especially since she was the leader of the undead monitoring the Dragon Clan’s hatchery.
“Do you need something from me?”
“Of course! But don’t you have something to ask me? Coming to the courtyard at this time of day…!”
Enma stared at me intently.
It was hard to tell if she was serious or joking… I personally find her rather unsettling; her presence throws me off balance.
“No, it was just a coincidence…”
“Such a distant response. Well, even if it’s just a casual meetup, I’m delighted to see you, Jil-kun.”
“…Jil-kun?”
“Jilbagias is too long. Is that not alright?”
No, it’s not alright… we’re not that close…
“…Um, this here is Prince of the Demon Lord, just so you know.”
Sophia interjected in response to Enma’s excessive familiarity.
“He may be Prince of the Demon Lord, but he’s still a viscount, right? I’m an earl, after all. Isn’t my rank a bit higher?”
With her lips puckered, Enma twisted her neck in an exaggerated manner and flashed a smile.
“Ah, I heard you were granted a title. Congratulations!”
“Y-Yeah, well…”
Don’t bring that up in front of the daughter of the dragon who caused that situation!!!
“Do you want me to throw a party for you? Ah, once you surpass me in rank, I’ll gladly kneel and kiss your feet.”
“Nobody asked for that!!”
Stop it!!! Don’t say such things in front of Leila!!!
She’s looking at me with those eyes!!! Don’t ruin the trust we’ve built!!! I’ll cleanse you!!!
“Ahaha, just kidding. But hey, I noticed something. Jil-kun, you have dark magic, right?”
“Y-Yeah…”
I nodded, feeling a bit pressured. Really, it’s only our second meeting, and she’s already so familiar with me; what’s her aim…?
“Then, as a congratulatory gift…”
With a smirk— Enma leaned in close.
“I’ll teach you.”
“My necromancy.”