“I am performing the summoning requested by Lucifer.
The target is Belphegor, known as Peol before becoming a demon. It seems that only Lucifer is allowed to call him that now.
The demon who appeared was a woman, materializing with the rustling sound of leaves and grass swaying in the wind.
She had brown hair styled in an updo and wore glasses, resembling a secretary. Her attire consisted of reddish-brown, slim trousers, and a jacket with the hem around knee-length.
“…Lord Belial. What are you plotting this time?”
It seems that Belial is generally not well-regarded by Lucifer’s followers. They don’t seem to allow him to be called a friend.
“It’s not me. Lucifer-sama is trying to have humans prepare the flowers to bloom in the palace garden, and he entrusted the negotiation to you.”
“Lucifer-sama!? I’m honored that he would entrust the garden to me…! Let’s go right away, we should start immediately, now!!”
What a changeable woman!
For now, I need to ask the guild master who was approached. As I left the house under Peol’s urging, I was greeted.
“Oh, Iriya -san. Are you going out?”
“I was just about to visit you, Guild Master. This is Belphegor-sama, one of Lucifer-sama’s subordinates.”
“Nice to meet you. I am Belphegor. Please cooperate with me so I can fulfill Lucifer-sama’s request to the fullest.”
She greeted with a bow. What a polite demon.
The guild master, somewhat embarrassed, returned the bow.
“About that matter, I asked the Binahl Trading Company. Though they are not flower specialists, there is no one in this town who deals with flowers on such a large scale, so someone with wide connections like him is the right person for the job.”
“Thank you very much. Then, I will go directly to Mr. Binahl’s store.”
After bowing and raising my head, the guild master looked at Belphegor with a slightly flushed face.
It seems he prefers stoic, secretary-like women!
When we arrived at the Binahl Trading Company, we were escorted to a sitting room and instructed to wait on the sofa.
While enjoying the herbal tea, I discussed the garden plans with Belphegor for a while. She took out paper and pen, drawing several garden designs as she talked. She had said we could finalize the details with the company, but it seemed like more ideas kept coming to her.
After a while, Binahl hurried in.
“I was just at another store… Sorry for the wait.”
“No, I apologize for the sudden visit.”
Belphegor stood up and lightly bowed.
I also stood and bowed.
“No, please stay seated…”
I wonder if he’s aware she’s a demon. Binahl seems unusually flustered.
“Let’s get straight to the point. About the flowers, in what condition can we receive them?”
“Well, for the dahlias, they’re bulbs. There are a lot of them, and they’re not cheap…”
“Since this is a mission entrusted to me by Lucifer-sama, I cannot afford to fail. As long as the quality is good, the cost doesn’t matter at all. I rely on your expertise.”
As expected from the ruler of Hell, it seems money is no object.
Binahl brought out a thick catalog, and we selected the colors and shapes we wanted.
Next to us were several garden designs Belphegor had drawn while waiting, and she adjusted her glasses and consulted with Binahl, carefully considering the flowers and the design.
We decided to create a flower bed of dahlias near the fountain, with the main Emperor dahlia in the center, surrounded by others. The variety is said to grow taller than the surrounding plants.
“This flower is also interesting.”
“It’s Strelitzia. We’ll prepare it.”
“Let’s also combine shorter flowers with larger blooms so that they can be viewed from the azumaya…”
We continued negotiating the purchase of several types of flowers, finalizing the details before returning home. The amount was large enough to suggest it wasn’t for a personal order, and Binahl seemed happy.
We agreed that he would contact me once everything was prepared, and he was very enthusiastic about it.
When I returned home, Lucifer and Belial were sitting across from each other on the sofa.
“…I’m back. Lucifer-sama, who is that woman?”
At the sight of Enkaruna standing beside Lucifer, Belphegor’s eyebrows twitched slightly.
“Ah, Peol. Have you finished your consultation?”
“Of course, I’ve placed the order.”
“I’m Enkaruna. I am Lucifer-sama’s…”
She sent a brief glance at Lucifer. Hmm, I wonder what kind of relationship they have.
“She’s a complete stranger.”
Sacre.
“Ah… your cold words with a smile! Oh, you’re simply too wonderful!”
“What’s going on? Are you happy to be called a stranger, miss?”
“Not happy exactly… but Lucifer-sama’s nobility makes me tremble…!”
“…I understand that.”
Afterward, the two of them spoke for a while about Lucifer’s charms.
There seems to be a bit of a disconnect, but it seems like that’s just fine.
“Enough already, stop the noise.”
When Lucifer scolded them, they immediately stopped. Belphegor apologized sheepishly, and Enkaruna happily held her hand to her mouth.
“…Even while being scolded, I can recognize Lucifer-sama’s charm… This human woman is not to be underestimated!”
“She is Lucifer-sama’s trusted secretary. I too must find some position for myself…!”
I wonder if they are good friends?
I think Enkaruna has a unique role as Lucifer’s toy. She seems to enjoy the strange ecology of being scolded and delighted by it.
Belial watched the two of them with an exasperated expression.
“Competing for Lucifer-sama’s favor is meaningless.”
He sighed dramatically.
He must like people who praise him, so maybe this doesn’t amuse him. Even so, I won’t praise him to flatter him, so I’ll refrain from doing so.
“…What do you mean by that, Lord Belial? I am simply dedicated to helping Lucifer-sama, and I do not harbor any unreasonable desires!”
“Oh, really? I do have some! I want him to scold only me!”
Being scolded with love…??? Belphegor turned to Enkaruna, looking a little envious of her straightforwardness.
“That’s not it. Lucifer-sama’s current favorite is, well, Sevillino over there.”
“…Me?”
He had been silent the whole time, but he was there too!
“Why have you been standing there the whole time?”
“I was thinking about making some tea, but since the conversation didn’t pause, I couldn’t find the right moment…”
He could have just spoken up. I didn’t know he was debating whether to serve tea.
Sevillino gets very enthusiastic when it’s about magic or battle, but he’s usually dignified and quiet. When we were together, there was a lot of silence at first until I realized we could talk about magic.
“You see, he likes those who submit humbly and act cautiously. You two are overdoing it.”
I see, that makes sense.
“…If you put it that way…”
It seems Sevillino was unintentionally recognized as a rival by the two of them.
It’s a bit sad, but I don’t think he’s the type to worry about it.
“Yes, you two are a bit too noisy. And Peol joining in…”
Even Lucifer seemed a little exasperated now. Peol, or Belphegor, shrugged.
“Please scold me too!”
Enkaruna’s consistency is impressive…
“…So, what about the tea?”
He’s another person who doesn’t waver.
