Chapter 95

Sakuya, after being thoroughly petted on her rabbit ears by Sphere, remained leaning on the table, catching her breath. Her skin was flushed, and it became clear that her ears were a weak point, and she was also vulnerable to being touched by the girl-like Sphere.

(I feel like I’ve been petted too, since I’m inside Sphere… but I feel a bit guilty.)

(Daddy, you’re so happy and cute.)

(Well, it’s not that I’m happy, but my curiosity about this kind of sensation has been satisfied… I feel a bit bad about it, Sakuya. Since I can only be touched by Sphere, I guess I’m getting a special perk in a way.)

(…Hey, you’re calling me ‘Daddy’ again. That’s good, I don’t like it when you suddenly grow up and get complicated. I can understand now how a parent feels when they see their child grow.)

(Haha… Don’t worry, I won’t get married or anything, even if I grow up. I’ll always, always, always be with Daddy.)

When she says something like that suddenly, it hits me in the chest. It’s not like she’s doing it on purpose, but it’s even more touching because I can tell she means it.

(I don’t know… I don’t want to lose such a capable shop owner. If she weren’t a demon lord, I would have hired her without hesitation.)

(Daddy, Mom isn’t a demon lord anymore. If you can trust her brother to take care of things, she can stay here forever.)

Sphere says things that I can’t easily say, even when I think about it. It’s a bit strange to think that such a straightforward child could come from someone as complicated as me. Maybe if I were a bad example, she would turn out like Sphere.

"Are you having a conversation with your child? I’m curious about what you’re talking about, Sakuya."

(…I’m curious about what kind of conversation Master has with his child. If I tell Mizuha, she’ll be full of curiosity.)

She’s the same innocent type, so they might get along. When my consciousness returns to my original body, I should consider raising Sphere like a human girl.

Sphere doesn’t answer that. I wish I could understand her feelings without her saying anything, but I greeted Sakuya and the others and left the information department of District 7.

◆◇◆

When I returned to the Silver Water Jug, it was in the middle of the lunch service. I entered through the back door and passed through the kitchen, where I was greeted by Hare and Ramsus.

"Hello, little girl. I’m Hare, and I’m in charge of the kitchen here, as your father’s told you."

"Yes, my father always talks about how much he appreciates you."

"I’m Ramsus. Your father is my benefactor. And your father is a better cook than me, which I greatly respect."

"Daddy can do anything, can’t he? I want to cook with Daddy too!"

Hare put her hand on her chest, moved by Sphere’s good behavior. Ramsus, as always, showed a good smile with his deep, dark face.

"Even though there are circumstances, the shop owner told me that you’re the boss’s child… but to think you’re such a friendly and good child…"

"Thank you, miss. You’re so kind, I really like you!"

"…Sorry, Ramsus, I need you to cook. I’ll be back in five minutes."

"Understood. It’s not that busy today, so I can handle it alone."

Ramsus answered cheerfully and returned to work. Hare sat on a chair in the kitchen and started to dote on Sphere, who was sitting on her lap—though it felt like I was being doted on too.

(This back… I’ve never really noticed it before…)

"Hare, you have big breasts. Most mothers do, but they’re big too."

"Eating meat makes them bigger, but in my case, it’s probably mostly muscle from lifting heavy pots."

"Um, Daddy is inside me too, is that okay?"

"Huh? Oh, right, that’s what it’s about. I don’t know much about magic, but it’s amazing. What, are you blushing, boss, when I do this to the little girl?"

"A little, I guess. Daddy is so cute, isn’t he?"

(S-Sphere… I only want you to speak for me when I ask you to.)

"Really… He looks like a cute boy, but as the guild master, his body is incredibly well-built. When I massage his shoulders, there’s no wasted muscle, just a tight, solid build."

"Hehe, it tickles. Daddy says it tickles too."

"…When I do this, I start to think I want a daughter. Being a cook is lonely… maybe I’ll make up for it by doting on you for now."

"Yes, please be nice to each other. Daddy says he wants that too."

The shop started to get busy, and Ramsus was having a hard time, so Hare went back to work. I didn’t know she was so fond of children, so it felt like I was seeing a new side of her.

"Oh, by the way. Today, the boss’s friend is helping out, so could you check on the hall?"

(Friend… Could it be…?)

"Daddy, let’s go. I want to help too if I can."

Sphere went from the kitchen to the hall—then.

"Miralca, please be a bit softer with the customers."

"That man was staring, so I gave him a fitting response. It’s self-defense."

The one helping out in the shop was Miralca—she looked too good in the waitress uniform, but she seemed to be in some kind of argument.

"Miralca, to maintain the reputation of Mr. Dick’s shop, you need to focus on customer service…"

"Manari’s skirt is long, so it’s fine. Why is mine so short? I’d rather wear men’s clothes."

"The only spare uniform we had was that one. With your figure, you’re wearing it perfectly."

"…Well, I wore it reluctantly, but it’s still not good. I prioritize mental health in my work environment. This stress will lead to my destruction. Is there anything else?"

It seems she doesn’t like being stared at by men because of the short skirt. Given her cleanliness, it’s understandable—though even I can’t help but look at the small expanse of white skin between the hem of her skirt and her knee-high socks, which has a magnetic appeal.

(Daddy, are you looking at Miralca because she’s pretty?)

(…Don’t say that. She gets scary when she’s angry.)

If I could shut down so that my feelings don’t reach Sphere, I could maintain my dignity as a father, but I can’t think straight right now. Still, I’m relieved that Sphere understands what she shouldn’t say.

"We do have men’s waiter uniforms, but they’re the ones Mr. Dick wears when necessary, and they might not fit."

"…Fine. I feel more composed in this than with my legs exposed. If the trousers are too long, I can fold them up."

Miralca walked over, clicking her heels—her complete waitress outfit, complete with a headpiece, was so charming that it was no wonder the male customers were staring.

"Hey, that girl…"

"Wow, what a beautiful girl. I didn’t know this tavern had such a staff member…"

"The shop owner is beautiful, but she has a different type of beauty… I might become a fan."

Miralca seemed to be irritated by such comments, crossing her arms in displeasure. Just that made her chest rest on her arms—thinking about such things, I can’t complain if Sphere tells on me.

"…Ah… S-Sorry. Sphere, welcome back."

"Back, Miralca… Miss."

"Hehe… What a good girl. Are you being considerate so I don’t feel embarrassed? But it’s okay, I’m your mother, after all."

Miralca stroked and combed Sphere’s silver hair, and Sphere looked happy to be pampered.

Miralca is also very gentle with Sphere, showing a surprisingly motherly side, which changes my impression of her.

(She’s probably like that by nature… From Sphere’s perspective, it feels like I’m being pampered…)

If I were treated like this all the time, I’d definitely be a goner. I realize how much I can discipline myself because Miralca is strict with me.

"…Well, I’ll borrow Daddy’s clothes. They’re much better than this revealing outfit."

Calling me ‘Daddy’ seems quite embarrassing for her, as she’s blushing. Still, she’s calling me that for Sphere’s sake, considering her feelings. She must think that the parents need to get along.

(I don’t think the uniform she’s wearing is that bad… Other staff members wear it too.)

(Mom doesn’t want to attract too much attention from other men.)

(…I see. Then I should change.)

I don’t want to make a big difference from the other staff, who wear the same uniform, but—no, there are also uniforms with longer skirts, like Manari’s, so maybe I should use this as an opportunity to standardize them.

After Miralca went to change, Verlene came over. She’s usually inside the counter, but she was out to guide the staff.

"The uniform regulations can be flexible. While a uniform helps define the shop’s character, individual preferences should also be considered."

(That’s true… Sphere, what’s up?)

Sphere seemed restless. Then—she jumped at Verlene and asked for something surprising.

"Verlene, I want to help too!"

"…Sphere, you want to?"

(I’m going out to train with the dragon after the lunch service. I want to let Sphere do what she wants as much as possible.)

(…I understand. I feel the same way, but I’m a bit worried about her fighting in this form. She’s just been born, after all.)

(It’s not a problem with me around. Besides… If I fight Julius, he might start to take me seriously. But Sphere has a way of making even the most stubborn opponents open up. Is it too optimistic to hope for that?)

Verlene listened to my telepathic voice with a sincere expression.

(…You think it’s better for Sphere to fight someone her own age.)

(That’s part of it. I’m older, after all… Even as a long-lived dark elf, it’s hard to fight at full strength against someone in a child’s form.)

"I’ll be fine with Daddy around. I feel like I can do anything that Daddy and Mom can do."

Sphere can use annihilation magic, light swords, combat, purification, and Verlene’s summoning—along with my and my master’s magic swords and short-range teleportation, with a little training. While not at the original level, if she can reproduce about 60% of them, she’s easily an SSS rank.

"You can do it… not just feel like you can. I feel a bit guilty about having Sphere fight to protect my place, but… to be honest, I’m also happy."

She almost reverted to the demon lord’s tone in her shop owner’s form—probably because Verlene recognizes Sphere