Chapter 92

Thank you for always accessing.

Compared to the journey to get here, this place is enveloped in a spring-like warmth.

Ain was absentmindedly watching everyone work.

"…I can't understand it."

Though it was just one word, there were no better words to express Ain's state of mind.

"Lord Ain, I hope you can understand..."

"I understand what you're saying. But with this, I really am just a useless kid, aren't I?"

It was the second day in the former Demon King's territory.

What Ain was doing now was sitting in a prepared chair, resting his elbows on the table in front of him, and silently waiting—a rather lackluster posture.

Dil was waiting beside him, but it was clear that Lloyd was giving orders busily.

"There may still be danger..."

Due to the incident with the tribute last night, Ain wasn't allowed to do anything.

While it was understandable given the unexpected situation, he couldn't help but think that his coming here had no meaning.

"...Hey, Dil."

"Yes? What is it?"

"About the Demon King's Castle. Should we go? 'No, we shouldn't'... I don't want to. Just kidding."

Ain said this with a smile and a hint of mischief.

Dil's response was so quick that it was almost heartbreaking.

"I'm really grateful that Lady Katima isn't here for this investigation."

"Why is that?"

"Because if I wasn't careful, I might end up infiltrating the Demon King's Castle with Lord Ain."

"...I don't want to. I wouldn't do something that extreme. I don't know Katima, but she might."

He tried to act nonchalant, but the way he looked at Ain and his thoughts were no different from how he felt about Katima.

Ain couldn't help but smile wryly and look away. ——Seeing his obvious attitude, Dil sighed deeply.

"Lord Ain, even with the 'blessing' you have, the current situation is still dangerous. I hope you understand that."

"I get it. I was just trying to make a joke."

"I see, it was a joke... By the way, what percentage of the time?"

"About 60%."

"In that case, it's not something that can be brushed off..."

Ain understood the danger but couldn't deny the strong interest he felt.

The more he stared at the Demon King's Castle, the more his interest grew.

"By the way, are you being drawn to the Demon King's Castle by some unknown emotion?"

"...Hmm. Unconsciously, maybe?"

"Exactly."

Hearing this, a vague sense of worry crept into his mind.

He tried to calm his mind and search his inner thoughts. ...But it wasn't that easy.

If there really was such a suggestion, it wouldn't be so easily broken.

"I don't have any awareness of it. That's all I can say."

"Please let me know if anything comes up."

"Got it. Thanks."

But thinking about last night, it didn't seem like the couple from the magic stone group would do anything strange.

He had said "I'm home" in such a calm manner.

It was hard to imagine them intentionally causing harm.

"But still, everyone is working so hard, and I'm just standing around. It feels bad."

"...I understand how you feel. If I were in your position, I would think the same."

"Right? I really feel like a useless kid..."

He put his hand to his mouth, thinking about how to help.

Something that wasn't dangerous and would be appreciated by everyone... As he thought about it, he reached a conclusion.

"While we're waiting for a report, shall we process that meat?"

He pointed to the two Yatsume Rabbits that had been left untouched.

After some investigation, it was confirmed that they were not cursed or poisonous.

Therefore, the two pieces of meat were decided to be distributed as food for everyone.

"Ah... Yeah, sure. Since we're here, let's do it."

With a small "heave," Ain stood up from the chair.

It was good to see him becoming more proactive.

"Maybe I'll use 'Illusory Hands' to process it quickly."

There was a time when I thought about it so lightly.

Ain would later recall this and mutter about it.

—While in the former Demon King's territory, he should have understood the meaning of using a Dullahan's skill...

*

When he woke up, he saw an unfamiliar ceiling. The room was dim, and if he were with a woman he liked, it might have been a decent atmosphere.

But unfortunately, Ain was alone.

"...Can someone tell me where I am?"

He tried to recall his memories. What did he do first?

...Following Dil's suggestion, he went to process the Yatsume Rabbits. He was using Illusory Hands and was making good progress.

After that, he received several investigation reports and was busy organizing the information.

He remembered taking a nap in the tent while on a break.

"Nice room. The furniture is beautifully crafted."

Looking around, he saw artistic furniture.

Ain was sitting on a sofa covered in gold thread and black fabric, with intricate embroidery.

The floor was also covered with a black carpet from corner to corner.

It was all black.

While "a man is dyed by black" is a saying, with such artistic quality, even women might appreciate it.

Nodding thoughtfully, the sound of creaking wood came, and the door opened.

The location was unknown, but his body was free, so he stood up and took a defensive stance.

—Then, an unexpected presence entered the room from the dim corridor.

"Oh, you're awake."

"...Armor...?"

Armor with red-black lines like veins on the body.

The face was covered by a helmet, so the expression couldn't be seen.

"As you might have guessed, I am armor. ...Please, have a cup of tea and take a moment to rest."

He placed a teacup next to Ain and stood quietly a short distance away.

Even if it were poisoned, it wouldn't affect him, so there was no need to be on guard. But of course, it wasn't a pleasant feeling.

If they wanted to kill him, they would have done it before he woke up.

—...Don't read my mind. How did you do that?

"...What is this?"

He asked, looking at the teacup the armor had placed.

The contents looked like ordinary tea, but he wanted an explanation.

"I apologize for not explaining. This is tea made from 'Elder Tree Leaves.'"

What kind of creature is that? As he thought this, the explanation began.

"It's a Fohr that has lived for nearly a thousand years. It's a valuable ingredient, but it's prepared for someone like you. Please enjoy it."

"...I don't really understand, but if you say so, I'll take it."

He had to drink it to move forward.

Given the current lack of understanding, he decided to be straightforward.

"...It's delicious."

"That's a relief. If you can calm your mind, we can take you back to your companions and your original location."

"Companions?"

"Yes, the many knights. Once I confirm you are calm, I will return you to your original place, so please rest assured."

"Wait... Wait a minute! By the way, where is this place?"

He shouldn't have relaxed with the tea.

He wanted to know where he was and why he was here, but the situation was confusing.

"If you continue to drink this tea, I will continue to explain."

How about it? It wasn't ideal to be on the defensive, but given the current lack of understanding, it was necessary.

"Alright. I'll drink it, so please explain."

"Understood. Where should I start?"

"Well... From the beginning, of course."

The armor took a few steps closer.

Ain tensed slightly but didn't feel any hostility, so he didn't do anything more.

"In this area, it's best not to use the skills of Lord Cain... and Lady Sylva. You are still too unstable, and the worst-case scenario could occur."

"...Sorry, can you explain a bit more?"

"It's about the two sleeping inside you: Dullahan and Elderlich. In this land, it's best not to use their skills."

Thinking about it, Ain and Olivia, and Cain and Sylva. The similar names made him feel a sense of familiarity.

"Did you bring me here because I used Illusory Hands?"

"Your insight is commendable. That's correct. ...However, I apologize for bringing you here against your will."

He was brought here because he used Illusory Hands.

He understood that much. Let's move on to the next question.

"Where is this? It's a pretty room."

"This is my mansion. I'm the only one left, but I try to maintain the appearance of a mansion."

He seemed to be in a position of authority.

Given that it was a mansion, he was probably not a commoner.

"The location is near the Demon King's Castle. So you can rest assured that you can return quickly."

"Oh, I see... Got it."

He was surprised to learn that he was so close.

So there were beings living in this land.

—In that case, he had questions.

"By the way, did you bring the Yatsume Rabbits?"

"You mean last night? Yes. I saw you enjoying them so much, so I hunted the ones that were left nearby."

This proved that the tribute was a hit.

"When I delivered them, there was a man with unusually sharp senses... But there were no particular issues. He was just as unguarded as the others."

It was definitely Lloyd. No one in the investigation team was stronger than him.

—Hearing that Lloyd's vigilance was meaningless, Ain was somewhat stunned.

"...I have so many questions, but by the way, who are you?"

"I apologize for not introducing myself earlier."

He straightened his posture and began to speak.

"I am Marco, the deputy commander of the Demon King's Army's Royal Guard, commonly known as the 'Black Knights.' Even if the knight order is gone, this is the name I hold. —My race is Living Armor, and I hope you can remember it."

Each word piqued Ain's interest.

The Demon King's Army, deputy commander, and the Living Armor race. He wanted to know more about all of it.

"...I have so many questions. Did you monitor us since we arrived?"

"As you might have guessed, I occasionally observed you."

He must have been the one monitoring Chris in the past.

It was a pleasant feeling to have one of his questions answered.

And he was in a position of authority.

In the capital, he would have been at the same level as Chris.

"Now that I know your name. —What do you mean by 'unstable' and 'accident'?"

First, why would someone in such a high position treat a human like him with such respect?

He wanted an explanation, but he asked about the ominous words first.

"Unstable means that the 'vessel' is not settled. I apologize for not being able to explain it better..."

"Vessel... Vessel. Vessel..."

He felt that the armor was speaking honestly and not hiding anything.

So asking more wouldn't get him the answer he wanted.

It was concerning to be told that his vessel was not settled, but there was nothing he could do about it.

"Alright, I'll put that aside. —What do you mean by 'accident'?"

Hearing this, Marco's tone changed, and he spoke seriously.

"...There is a possibility of a core going out of control, like His Majesty. That's what I mean."

Hearing "His Majesty," he thought of the Demon King.

After all, he was a knight of the Demon King's Army.

"Sorry, can you explain that a bit more?"

"To put it simply, 'you might no longer be yourself.' That's the kind of situation we're talking about."

"...You mean I might lose my self and go out of control?"

"Exactly."

Just like the Demon King.

He asked for the reason why this would happen.

"...The influence of those beasts has not completely disappeared in this land. So please understand."

"Beasts...?"

He was momentarily puzzled but recalled the purpose of the investigation and it clicked.

"It seems you understand."

"Yes. Unfortunately."

Because of them, the Demon King Ashi went out of control.

Ain recalled this and understood the situation.

Given the influence of Dullahan and Elderlich, it was natural that he didn't know what might happen.

He finished the remaining tea just in time.

"The Elder Tree Leaves have a calming effect. They also have a mental defense effect, making them particularly suitable for situations like this."

"...I see."

A sudden encounter at night.

His companion was a high-ranking member of the Demon King's Army. ...What a cliché story. Despite thinking this, the fact remained unchanged.

"So, you're saying that I was warned and protected before I went out of control. Is that it?"

The words were inappropriate, but the meaning was similar.

Then, it didn't make sense.

Why go to such lengths to care for him? A question arose in Ain's mind.

After all, he was a human who had absorbed the magic stones of Dullahan and Elderlich and had them in his body.

When the Demon King went out of control, they were enemies.

So why go to such lengths to take care of him?

"I don't understand. Why you, Marco, are so considerate of me and even brought the Yatsume Rabbits. ...Why did you do all this?"

If Marco had a face, he would have shown a puzzled look followed by a big smile.

With a cheerful tone and a gentle voice, he began to speak to Ain.

"I thought you were asking about that. ...It's only natural for a knight to serve the 'royalty.' Isn't that right?"

"...W-Well, the words are correct, but I'm not royalty of Ishatarika..."

So there was no need to go to such lengths. That was what Ain meant to say.

After a few beats, Marco opened his mouth in a puzzled manner.

"Ah, yes. So I, as a member of the 'Ishatarika Royal Family,' serve them. Isn't that natural?"

What a strange thing to say.

Marco's tone suggested that he was questioning Ain's words.

—The conversation seemed a bit off, but it wasn't a big issue.

"...What a fine sense of chivalry."

If he was from another country, Marco could still show respect to a different royal family.

This was truly a commendable sense of chivalry. Ain praised him wholeheartedly.

"I am honored by your praise."

He performed a beautiful bow, and Ain learned that such creatures existed.

—In the former Demon King's territory, a place full of mystery and wonder, a high-ranking member of the Demon King's Army lived in a mansion with a commendable sense of chivalry. That was how he summarized today's encounter.