When I Was Reincarnated into the World of an Ultra-Difficult Game, I Ended Up As the Sole Subordinate of the Ridiculously Strong yet Incompetent Demon Lord, Tasked with Creating a Dungeon
“Alright then, nice to meet you! Starting today, I’m your aide, Ipiletis!”
“…Are you sure about this? It seems like you were serving Lady Fiona until now.”
“If the Demon Lord wishes it, I won’t go against it. By the way, why are you using formal language? I’m serving you, so you don’t need to, right?”
“If that’s what you prefer, I’ll do so.”
“A demon who can adapt quickly—nice!”
I’m relieved. Since Ipiletis was once Lady Fiona’s aide, I thought he might hold a grudge against me. But it seems like he’s willing to be friendly.
Being reassigned from the Demon Lord’s aide to a low-ranking one, he has every reason to resent me.
“I’ll follow orders and work as your aide. However, whether I acknowledge you or not is another matter.”
“…Should I ask Lady Fiona to reinstate you?”
“No, no. The Demon Lord’s words are absolute.”
What should I do? Maybe he does hold a grudge after all? I can’t quite figure out his emotions.
No, it’s just that the demons I’ve met so far have been way too friendly from the start.
I’ll do my best to gradually build trust with Ipiletis too.
“…An aide, huh.”
…That was Dikitis, muttering to himself.
Yeah… It doesn’t seem like he’ll accept me so easily.
“Alright then, since you’re back to life, I’ll cook for you! Everyone, follow me!”
With Magirema’s words, the three demons obediently followed her.
As expected of Magirema. Providing food is a powerful role.
“Sorry, Rey. If their attitude bothers you, I’ll apologize on their behalf.”
“No, we still don’t know each other well yet.”
It’s only natural. Some low-ranking guy suddenly got a position he doesn’t deserve.
But…
“Since when did I become Lady Fiona’s aide?”
“Huh!? You’re not!? Was it a lie when you said you’d stay with me until death!?”
Well… I don’t object to serving her until death.
But that’s the same for everyone in the Demon Lord’s army. Making me an aide doesn’t set the right example…
And their attitudes earlier were proof of that.
Though, I still don’t quite understand Epiclesi.
“By the way, do they even realize they’re only alive again thanks to Rey? What do you think? Want me to burn them a little?”
They’re allies, though…
This spirit is way too reckless.
“Don’t. The more the Demon Lord and we side with Rey, the more their resentment will grow. They might act friendly on the surface, but…”
“If they don’t truly acknowledge him, it won’t mean anything. That said, should I go scold them?”
“Can you not say things that sound like you get it but actually don’t!? If Primilla scolds them, it’ll only lead to superficial friendliness!”
I see…
I had wondered why Lady Fiona and the Four Heavenly Kings didn’t say anything earlier, but it was to prevent conflicts between me and the other demons.
Maybe Magirema suddenly suggesting food was her way of preventing things from getting tense.
“No problem. Rey’s power is the real deal. They’ll recognize that soon enough.”
“It’s Rey, after all. Well, the stubborn Dikitis might take some time, but it’ll be fine.”
That’s exactly why I’m worried…
Well, I’ll just have to work towards earning their trust, little by little.
“But if they decide to turn against us, that’s a different story. If they act too disrespectfully or try to harm you, let me know immediately.”
Whoa, that’s scary.
Where did the usual easygoing Rigma go?
And could the Four Heavenly Kings stop acting like they’re about to go to war?
We’re talking about allies here, right?
“Well, I’ll just take things at my own pace…”
I’m starting to worry more about the people around me than myself…
“By the way, Pilkaya, your firepower’s increased, hasn’t it?”
“Of course! Thanks to the Demon Lord, I’ve powered up. Maybe now I could even beat Lipianem? Rey, you might have to start calling me ‘Lord Pilkaya’ like the Demon Lord does!”
“I see. Since you’ve been strengthened, that makes sense. I’ll be careful… Lord Pilkaya.”
“…Alright! Let’s stop that. That felt really wrong.”
Really? It didn’t feel weird to me.
Actually, since the Four Heavenly Kings are being revived too, maybe I should start calling all of them ‘Lord’ from now on?
◇
“What do you think?”
“About Rey, right?”
He nodded silently in response to my question.
As usual, Dikitis doesn’t use enough words.
But somehow, even that felt nostalgic.
That strange sensation made it clear—we had been dead for a long time.
“Fascinating. Very. I’d love to conduct an experiment.”
Epiclesi responded while holding a cup of coffee—unchanged from before.
By ‘fascinating,’ he probably means the resurrection medicine.
If the story of our revival is true, then it makes sense for the Demon Lord to appoint Rey as an aide.
So, I have no complaints about it.
Originally, my job was reconnaissance and assassination, but I was chosen for the Demon Lord’s personal guard because of my skills.
But honestly, the Demon Lord doesn’t need a bodyguard… Besides, as a so-called bodyguard, I ended up dying so easily, and in the end, it seems like the Demon Lord handled the heroes on his own anyway…
“What about Ipiletis?”
“Hmm… just observing for now.”
Yeah, I’m sure his abilities are quite high.
I have no complaints about him being Rey-sama’s aide or personal guard.
I’ll carry out my orders properly.
But whether or not I come to like Rey-sama is a different matter.
“The Demon Lord was an exceptional person. I wonder how Rey-sama will be?”
“I don’t think he should be entrusted with an aide…”
Dikitis seems to have a low opinion of him, but we won’t know for sure yet.
“Unknown” is probably the best way to describe it.
Well, since I’m an aide anyway, I’ll naturally come to understand what kind of person Rey-sama is.
“A demon who can gain Ipiletis’ approval… I doubt such a person exists.”
Epiclesi said that to me, but I don’t think I’m that picky.
There’s only one simple thing I consider when deciding whether or not to acknowledge someone.
And besides, doing my job and recognizing someone are two separate things.
Whether or not Rey-sama is worthy of recognition doesn’t matter—I’ll still do my job as his aide properly.
“Well then, thanks for the meal~. As his aide, I’ll be sticking close to Rey-sama now~.”
Now then, I’m looking forward to it.
There’s no way he’ll be as amazing as the Demon Lord, but I hope Rey-sama turns out to be a demon worth keeping an eye on.
“Earning Ipiletis’ approval… that’s impossible. He’s far too mild-mannered and harmless.”
“Despite appearances, Ipiletis was an assassin. Rey-sama seems far too gentle to satisfy that side of him.”
◇
“You want to see me work?”
“Yes. Since I’m your aide, I figured I might as well observe your work.”
I don’t mind, but it’s probably not going to be all that interesting.
…Well, I guess work is like that.
Since both Ipiletis and I need to get used to each other, and since she’s making an effort to approach me, I might as well let her tag along.
“Alright, so my main duties are…”
“Hmm, hmm.”
As I explained the dungeon renovations and maintenance, she accepted it without issue.
So today’s task is the maintenance of the beastmen’s dungeon.
That includes recreating monsters and resetting the traps that were used up.
Considering the time, no new intruders should be coming, but just in case, let’s finish up quickly.
“Ehh…?”
“What? Did I mess something up?”
“No, no. I was just a little surprised.”
“Oh? Well, if something seems off, don’t hesitate to say so.”
“Okay~.”
The monster replenishment is done.
Since Luf is gone, the number of gargoyles getting taken down has dropped drastically.
Luf must have been quite a strong beastman.
“Wait, seriously…?”
“You okay? You’ve seemed distracted for a while now.”
“…Rey-sama.”
“Yeah? Do you have a suggestion or—”
“I’ve decided—I like you. I’ll properly serve as your aide from now on.”
“Huh…? Oh, uh, thanks?”
She said it with a serious expression, as if making a formal declaration.
Did something change her impression of me?
Either way, it’s a relief to know that I’ll be able to work well with Ipiletis.
“Wow, I had no idea you were hiding such murderous intent~. You seemed so harmless, but you’re actually pretty dangerous, huh?”
“Wait, what?”
“Now I understand why the Demon Lord made you his aide. Even the Demon Lord wouldn’t create a dungeon this filled with killing intent~.”
I feel like there’s been some massive misunderstanding about what kind of demon I am…
Will I really be able to get along with Ipiletis?
I’m starting to feel a little anxious…
