Chapter 88

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"…ha"

I am now walking slowly in the darkness alone.

While drinking with the aunt, it seems that it had somehow turned into night.

After the conversation with the aunt at the inn ended, I immediately prepared the black cloak given to me by Esic.

I left a few words for the aunt, who was looking at it curiously, and now I am heading towards the Demon King's castle.

"…"

There is no sign of anyone else; I am the only one in the darkness.

I gently looked down at the black cloak I was wearing.

"…No, that’s impossible."

I want to believe that the only reason this black cloak looks cool is because I am drunk.

Incidentally, I already used a recovery spell to sober up, but I think it was unusually ineffective.

Otherwise, there’s no way I would think this black cloak looks good.

"…Well, it is easier to move in the darkness, though."

I think I can admit that much.

The black cloak I used to wear was of poor quality and always stood out a little in the dark.

But the one given to me by Esic is, as expected, a high-quality item.

It is dyed a pitch-black color from end to end, and the only other color is the embroidery at the name part.

With this, I should be able to move without standing out in the darkness and avoid feeling embarrassed.

I smiled to myself at this thought and started walking slowly again.

"Um, this way, right…?"

While trying not to get lost, I was thinking about one thing.

It was how to get Lily out of the castle.

Of course, getting into the castle shouldn’t be too difficult for me.

This isn’t a lie; it’s just thanks to my recovery magic.

However, the problem is what to do after getting in.

Perhaps because I was drunk earlier, I didn’t think much about it and declined the aunt’s offer of help, but honestly, I don’t know what to do.

"…Hmm"

I groaned, unable to come up with a good plan.

But groaning won’t help me come up with a good plan.

Of course, as a last resort, it might be necessary to take Lily by force, as the aunt suggested, but that could cause trouble for others.

If it’s discovered that I took Lily, the damage won’t be limited to Esic; it could likely affect the relationship between demons and humans.

The aunt said those things, but she was probably just drunk like me.

"Maybe I should go back and ask the aunt for help…?"

But after already saying I didn’t need help, it feels a bit embarrassing.

"The Demon King will return in two days."

While thinking about all this, I remembered that the maid had said something like this.

I think she said this two days ago.

If that’s the case, the Demon King might already be back here.

And according to the aunt, there’s a standard response in such situations.

If the Demon King is lenient and allows me to take Lily, it might not cause trouble for everyone.

I decided to take a chance on this possibility and started walking towards the Demon King’s castle again.

I could see the Demon King’s castle gradually getting closer in the distance.

The atmosphere, which had been filled with disappointment when I left, seemed to have improved slightly with the faint hope now flowing through me.

"…ha"

Facing the approaching Demon King’s castle, I let out a light breath.

To calm myself down a bit, as I was feeling somewhat tense.

"…Well, it’s tough, isn’t it?"

There’s no way something like this would go smoothly, and I’m still feeling tense somewhere.

In contrast to me, there was no one around, and only the chilly night wind was rustling the branches of the withered trees.

"Ah, I don’t need this, right…?"

I took out the knife I usually carry from inside the black cloak.

I’m going to meet the Demon King, and Lily’s father.

To show some sincerity, I shouldn’t bring a weapon.

Not only that, but if I hurt the guards protecting the Demon King’s castle, it would leave a bad impression.

In other words, what I need to do is: not carry a weapon, not hurt the guards, and reach Lily’s father. These are the three things.

"……"

If I were an ordinary person, what I’m about to do would be an impossible task.

But I have something special that others don’t.

A recovery magic that can heal even the deepest wounds instantly—

So, all I need to do is keep running until I reach Lily’s father.

"…"

I was thinking this as I somehow found myself in front of the entrance.

Incidentally, for some reason, there were no gatekeepers, and I was able to reach the entrance without any trouble.

"…It’s okay. Because I’m not about to do ‘Anest’ now."

I whispered to myself.

I didn’t say the rest out loud.

I felt it would stay with me better if I didn’t.

So, I whispered it in my heart.

I am about to—

—be the ‘Savior in Black’ now.