Chapter 17

“…You seem to want to say something, old man Hihi.”

In the throne room of the Demon King’s castle, where the Dark Healer Kiwi Alaya and the Demon King’s daughter Amilta had just departed, the Demon King once again sat on his throne and addressed the old demon with a monkey-like face, who was tightly closing his lips.

“No, I have nothing to say.”

“Speak your mind. I allow it.”

“…I do not trust humans themselves.”

The old man Hihi muttered.

“They are more cunning than us demons and a greedy race when it comes to power. Surely, the Demon King is aware of this.”

“Indeed. Of course.”

“Then why did you choose to trust them?”

Hihi pressed down on his cane for support and continued.

“It is true that our current demon nation lacks demons! With the increase in injuries from war, even the cleaners within the Demon King’s castle have to be assigned to other jobs. I understand that the Dark Healer is precious. However…”

“Old man Hihi, who is it that trusts whom?”

“…Huh?”

“When did I say I trusted Kiwi Alaya? What I meant was, ‘He can be beneficial to the country, so let’s welcome her into the demon nation.’”

“D-Demon King…”

“You always think in extremes, old man Hihi. Whether Kiwi Alaya is ‘trustworthy or untrustworthy’ and whether he is ‘capable or not’ as well as ‘beneficial or not’ are completely different matters.”

With a gaze so calm it seemed as if it could freeze the air, the Demon King directed a slight smile toward Hihi, who was left with his mouth agape in shock.

“As the ruler of this nation, I do not easily trust anyone. However, I will not make the foolish decision to avoid utilizing a capable person simply because ‘they are not completely trustworthy.’”

“…I see. I believe your judgment as the Demon King is very sound.”

“Indeed. I intend to consult with Agito and have Kiwi Alaya assist with several tasks necessary to reclaim Elden. Is that a problem?”

“Of course, my lord.”

Hihi bowed his head.

“However, Demon King, how is it acceptable to keep someone you cannot fully trust within the Demon King’s castle? It seems she made contact with Lady Amilta earlier…”

“On that point, there is no problem. ‘Mior’ is here.”

“‘Mior’?”

Hihi tilted his head, then remembered.

“Oh, that pet of Lady Amilta… So what does that Mior do?”

“If that Dark Healer had any ill intentions, Mior, who can read the hearts of those it touches, would have devoured her. I had it crafted that way by a familiar alchemist.”

“Wha… Is that so?!”

Hihi gasped in awe.

“Could it be that Lady Amilta’s contact with that Dark Healer in the courtyard was orchestrated by you, Demon King…?”

“No, I would never put my daughter in danger. That was a coincidence. Amilta simply snuck out of her room without her maid’s notice. It’s troubling.”

The Demon King let out a deep sigh.

Since she was his precious daughter, many might have wanted to suggest that he should scold her more harshly at times, but no one dared to voice such thoughts.

“Well, as a result, it’s good to know that at this point, Kiwi Alaya is not a harmful presence to us. It’s best to observe her for a while.”

“…If the Demon King says so.”

Although Hihi didn’t seem completely convinced, he nodded for the time being.

The Demon King, satisfied with this response, then turned to the beautiful demon waiting beside the throne.

“Well then, ‘Emeralda.’”

“Yes, what is it, Demon King?”

The beauty named Emeralda responded quietly, lowering herself into a bow. Four black wings sprouted from her back, covered by her long blue hair, which also bent as if bowing in respect.

“Arrange a ‘familiar’ to take care of Kiwi Alaya within the Demon King’s castle. I think a humanoid demon would be best, but I’ll leave the final selection to you.”

“Understood, as you wish.”

Hearing his response, the Demon King stood up and was about to unfurl his cape when he added,

“Emeralda, this is my intuition, but Kiwi Alaya is ‘the wind.’”

“…Huh?”

As Emeralda’s eyes widened in surprise at the sudden remark, the Demon King continued with a grin.

“I believe that perhaps this ‘new wind’ has finally begun to blow, sweeping away the heavy and oppressive atmosphere surrounding our demon nation.”

“A new wind, you say?”

“If that happens, maybe this situation where we are overwhelmed will improve a bit.”

“…That would be a most welcome outcome.”

“Indeed.”

The Demon King and Emeralda sighed together, sharing a wry smile.

“Well then, I leave the rest to you. I must return to my duties.”

With those words, the Demon King finally unfurled his cape and vanished from sight.

In the Demon King’s castle, in the private room of the Demon King’s secretary, Emeralda.

“──You’ve come well, ‘Milphobia.’”

Called by that name, the one who respectfully bowed before Emeralda was another beautiful demon. She was a young woman in a dark blue suit, with tanned skin and shoulder-length red hair that contrasted beautifully. Her jacket was left open, revealing her ample chest.

“I have come dressed appropriately for my duties as a ‘familiar,’ as you specified.”

“It suits you well.”

“Thank you very much.”

Milphobia was a subordinate of Emeralda. More accurately, Emeralda was the effective leader managing the “demon species” within the Demon King’s castle, meaning all demons in the castle were her subordinates.

“So, Emeralda, the fact that you summoned me means there is some mission beyond just being a caretaker, correct?”

Emeralda smiled at the question.

“Starting tonight, you will serve as Kiwi Alaya’s ‘familiar’ and ‘be embraced’ by her.”

She said it so casually. Milphobia did not change her expression at all upon receiving this command.

“Am I to ‘squeeze her dry’?”

Milphobia asked.

“No, it is to ‘seduce’ her.”

Emeralda replied. In their exchange, there was no hesitation from either of them.

“Lord Lumac… The Demon King said, ‘Kiwi Alaya will be beneficial to the country.’ Then we must act in accordance with that idea. However, merely accepting those words without taking precautions for when the time comes is the act of a fool.”

“Is that why we are to seduce her?”

“Yes. Milphobia, with your power as a ‘succubus,’ it should be possible to drown Kiwi Alaya in pleasure and make her body and soul yours… Is that not so?”

“Yes.”

Milphobia nodded.

“There is no man who can resist my body. I shall make Kiwi Alaya my captive by tonight.”

A succubus… also known as an incubus. This is a race of demons that siphon the “vitality” from men as sustenance. They can incite a man’s sexual desire, arousing him, and gain control over him through sexual intercourse.

“Yes, I have high expectations.”

Emeralda said with a smile.

“This will serve as a ‘repayment’ to Kiwi Alaya for helping Agito and the others, while also preventing her from turning against us… I must say, it’s a clever plan.”

“Yes, as expected, it’s a brilliant idea.”

Milphobia stuck out her red tongue playfully and licked her lips. She was fully motivated. After all, this mission was also a reward for herself. The “vitality” of human men is high-quality nourishment for succubi. However, such nourishment is hard to come by in the current demon nation.

“Well then, off you go.”

Milphobia bowed and left Emeralda’s private room, heading directly to Kiwi Alaya’s chamber.

“…Now, let’s consider this task complete.”

Muttering this, Emeralda sat on the bed, and a wave of fatigue washed over her. She fell sideways, causing dust to swirl in the air. Due to her intense workload, she hadn’t cleaned her private room in weeks.

“…Hah.”

Emeralda sighed. It had been quite a while since she had last slept since the fall of the Elden territory of the demon nation.

“Kiwi Alaya… ‘a new wind,’ huh…”

…If only she would truly be an excellent ally.

Given the ongoing war with the western Elf nation, there was a limited number of capable demons that could be allocated to respond to the kingdom’s needs, and their numbers were strained. The number of Dark Healers was far from sufficient.

“I need to reconsider the allocation of demon resources… and receive reports from my subordinates… Also, I have to manage the dissatisfaction of the noble demons regarding the prolonged war…”

As she thought this far, her rationality snapped.

I can’t do this anymore.

“Ugh… Waaaaah──!”

Emeralda screamed and began to shed tears.

With practiced ease, she stuffed her thumb into her mouth.

Then, she rolled around on the bed.

“I don’t want to work anymore! I don’t want to work! I don’t want to work anymore!”

At this point, the image of a seductive beauty was nowhere to be found. The woman was just a large, ugly baby crying in frustration.

“Sniff. I want to be pampered, held, and babied by someone…”

This was a ritual of Emeralda that she could never show to anyone. A small escape to avoid being crushed by stress.

Crying out, thrashing about, sucking her thumb, Emeralda returned to being an adult once more.

…Let’s take a thirty-minute nap.

With tears brimming at the corners of her eyes, Emeralda murmured,

“Ogyah…”

She began to breathe quietly and peacefully as she fell asleep.