Chapter 36

The demon still had a breath. He pointed his fingertips towards me, but as he tried to gather the miasma, they crumbled into sand and dispersed.

The demon smiled wryly at the scene, sighed in resignation, and sprawled out. I know. The death of these creatures is—like this.

I approached, with a magic circle floating in my palm, and the demon shook his head.

"There's no need to stop it. I'm no longer in pain."

...But, we can still exchange words, can't we? However, I have no intention of getting friendly with a demon.

Then, what should I talk about with this guy?

What was his purpose in the first place? If the expected summoner of the Cardiff family is a demon, then this guy made the black transmigration stone, right? Is that how I should interpret it?

For what purpose?

...

"---Moonlight Temple"

When I said that, the demon's eyes widened. There's no time or method for interrogation, but I can at least try to provoke a reaction.

It's not that I have any certainty.

It's more plausible than thinking his reason for being here is to kidnap for profit or to feed on the emotions of victims.

"Absolutely---interesting. You're a very intriguing kid."

The demon, realizing he had fallen for my provocation, chuckled softly.

"What's your name?"

"...Theodore"

"Is that so. Be proud, demon slayer. My name is Rinette."

The demon, still smiling, rapidly turned to sand and scattered in the wind.

...They are like a disaster. Someone once described demons this way.

I shook my head slightly to switch my thoughts. There are other things to consider.

Moonlight Temple.

A place said to be in the lower levels of the Termwillis labyrinth.

It was an unimplemented area in BFO, but its existence was hinted at in the game.

In the past, it was said that a demon broke the seal and stole a treasure or something.

I'm not certain of the timeline, but if the demon's purpose is related to Termwillis, then that's what I think.

If he was studying the transmigration stone to infiltrate the Moonlight Temple, it's not hard to understand why the demon infiltrated Termwillis.

Then, the seal of the Moonlight Temple hasn't been broken yet.

If that's the case, the event will happen between now and 10 years from the start of the main story, right?

In any case, the country, including the area around Termwillis, was peaceful in the game.

The danger at the start of the main story is in the north, where a large outbreak of monsters occurs.

This is related to the grand quest that was released during the game, but if I were to shout this now, it would be dismissed as a delusion.

The magic inquisition is meaningless. It only determines if someone is lying, not if they genuinely believe something.

Moreover, BFO is a game where you can live as you like in a fantasy world. You don't have to follow the main story, so I had been putting it off.

I don't know how far south the monster outbreak will spread, but it's not a bad idea to build up my strength. In the labyrinth, I won't lack for opponents to fight.

...Or, maybe the treasure taken from the Moonlight Temple is related to the monster outbreak?

It's possible. The idea that demons are causing the monsters to rampage is a clear plot in the game, and the stray demons in the game were called "rogue demons."

If you think about what they have strayed from, it might mean there are organized demons with a purpose.

In reality, it might be a bit simplistic to connect these dots, but characters like Prince Albert and the Sword Saint Oswald do exist in the game.

In any case, regarding the Moonlight Temple... I might as well bring it up since I'll be questioned about the demon.

If I say the demon was mumbling about it, the Moonlight Temple will inevitably draw attention. I think the important people will investigate the materials I can't access on my own.

"Master Theodore!"

The people who had fled from the square were gathering. Grace and Ashley pushed through the crowd, their faces showing concern.

"Yeah, both of you."

"A demon appeared...!"

"Could it be---you defeated the demon alone?"

Both of them looked worried. Personally, I'm glad we didn't encounter the demon while we were together.

I was still on alert because of Maurice from the previous day.

After freeing the victims from the base and continuing into today, I had visited the adventurer's guild alone to discuss and explain the situation.

It seems the authorities did something different from the plan, causing a commotion.

From there, a hydra burst out of the earl's mansion, and a demon appeared.

The guild members were guiding the citizens to safety, and I, with nothing to do, decided to join the offensive as a way to stall. To summarize the situation, that's how it went.

"Yeah, I'm fine."

"Master Theodore, you're bleeding---"

Ah, from the backlash of the high-level magic. The bleeding from my left hand has stopped, but it still hurts when I think about it.

Ashley took my hand and cast a healing spell.

"Thank you, Ashley. Grace, come here."

I thanked Ashley and sealed Grace.

Grace's cheeks were flushed, and she had a dazed expression.

Maybe the smell of my blood triggered her vampiric urges. I might have done something wrong.

"---Theodore. I owe you. I will definitely come to thank you again."

Turning at the sound of her voice, I saw Sheila appear briefly in the crowd and then disappear.

From her small smile, I think... her friend was safe.

As for the victims of the kidnapping, that's settled. But there are still many issues to address.

The fate of the female demon that was captured hasn't been decided, and what happened to Maurice, and what will happen to Talcott, who is under the prince's care, are all concerns.

I also acted quite freely in front of everyone, so things will likely be noisy for a while.

Hmm... It's good to defeat a demon, but it's troublesome to be the center of attention.

Maybe I'll go to the labyrinth early in the morning for a while starting tomorrow. I'll ask Rosetta about Ashley's plans for the labyrinth.

The country is supposed to remain peaceful, but it won't hurt for Ashley to get stronger early on.

By slightly embellishing the conversation with the demon to draw attention to the Moonlight Temple and then saying I was tired, I ended the discussion and returned home.

"...I'm sorry, both of you."

In the main bedroom, Grace, in her nightgown, was standing with her shoulders hunched, looking apologetic.

"It's fine, Lady Grace."

Ashley also looked a bit embarrassed.

...What should I do in this situation?

"I don't think it's a bother. My blood, did it really make you that drunk just from that?"

"Yes... It smelled very---good."

...I think this is more of a mental thing.

Even at night, the aftereffects of Grace being intoxicated by the smell of my blood didn't go away. I tried various things, but...

So, Grace asked to sleep together tonight. Since they want to be as equal as possible, Ashley is also joining. If this helps their relationship, that's good.

I also worried them by fighting the demon.

However... um. That means, I have to sleep between the two of them, right? That's what it means.

Since there's no point in hesitating, I lay down in the middle of the bed, and the two of them came to my sides.

"Teo..."

Grace's slender hand touched my cheek, and she closed her eyes in satisfaction. It was a bit ticklish.

"Um, Master Theodore..."

"Hmm. It's fine."

"---Okay."

Ashley also tentatively placed her hand on my shoulder.

Looking to the right and left, I saw two beautiful girls.

The two of them eventually started to breathe softly, but...

...I can't sleep. And I have to endure, me.