Chapter 25

"……What's going on here?"

Leidia, who had gone out hunting with Rento, immediately voiced her confusion upon returning.

"Miss, ahhh!"

"It's okay, it's okay, everything's fine."

From Leidia's perspective, when she returned, there was an unfamiliar female demon in the room, sobbing in Carmilla's arms. It was only natural for Leidia to react this way.

"Carmilla's relative approached with a menacing aura and magic, so the Kira Plant attacked."

"I don't understand the details, but I get the general idea."

I don't understand any more than that, so the best thing to do is to ask Carmilla and Claire, but it doesn't seem like the right time for that now.

"What did you catch today?"

"Two green deer and two rabbits. I've already processed them and put them in the river."

"I see. Then we won't need meat for a while—though I can't say that for sure."

"Carmilla eats a lot of meat."

If it were just me and Leidia, the smoked meat would last about two weeks, but with the voracious Carmilla, it doesn't last a week. Thanks to this, our hunting pace has increased a bit, but Leidia seems quite happy to explore the forest.

However, since she can't handle the forest's monsters, Rento always accompanies her.

"Have you calmed down now?"

"Yes, I'm sorry. I lost my composure."

After passing the time in conversation with Leidia, I called out to Claire when she seemed to have calmed down, and she stood up.

Her expression, which had been a mess of tears and snot, returned to its usual composed state.

"I am Claire Vermillion. I am a demon serving Lady Carmilla."

"I am Hashira."

"I am Leidia."

"Did you come to find Carmilla, Claire?"

"Yes, that's right. It's been three weeks since Lady Carmilla left me behind. While similar things have happened before, this is the first time she's been gone for such a long period, so I became worried and came to search for her."

Ah, as expected. If she hadn't come back for three weeks, anyone would be worried.

"Still, it's impressive that you made it all the way to the Forest of Death. It must have been tough for you, Claire."

"It wasn't just tough! I nearly died several times on the way here. And just when I finally found Lady Carmilla, I got beaten up by the Kira Plant..."

"Well, at least you didn't have to face Hashira. I was almost killed, restrained by trees and drained of my magic."

I wish you wouldn't tell such a scary story to someone you just met. It gives a bad impression.

And why are you talking about almost being killed with such pride? You were trembling in fear just a moment ago, weren't you?

"Miss, you were almost killed!? No, who could defeat Lady Carmilla besides the Demon King..."

"Wait, you seem to have a good impression despite the fact that the person you serve was almost killed?"

"Demons are often drawn to strong individuals."

"I see... I understand."

Leidia's explanation made sense. I remember Carmilla saying something similar when I first defeated her.

I thought she would confront me with the same intensity as "How dare you defeat my Lady!"

"...So, is Lady Carmilla being forced to stay here by Hashira?"

"No, that's not it. She's staying here as compensation, and I'm growing crops."

"Huh?"

Upon hearing Carmilla's words, Claire, who had been composed, let out a bewildered sound.

It's understandable that she couldn't grasp the idea of the Demon King's daughter growing crops in the Forest of Death.

"Growing crops? Why is Lady Carmilla doing such a thing?"

"Until recently, I was foolish. I didn't understand the effort it takes to grow crops, and I demanded that Hashira replant them after I destroyed his fields. But now, I'm different. I've learned the joy of growing crops with hard work."

"Lady Carmilla?"

Claire was bewildered by Carmilla's sudden outburst.

Unlike me and Leidia, Claire knew the old Carmilla well. That's why she couldn't hide her confusion at the words coming from her mouth.

Even I and Leidia didn't expect Carmilla to be this passionate.

"That's why I won't return to the castle until I'm satisfied with my crop growing."

Carmilla declared firmly.

"That's a problem. The Demon King will surely be worried if you don't return soon."

"No, I don't think Father is worried about me."

"Indeed, there are few who can do anything to Lady Carmilla..."

"Besides, there's nothing for me to do if I return. At most, I'll just cause trouble for the neighboring countries."

"...What are you doing?"

I couldn't help but express my exasperation at Carmilla's firm statement.

"I was so bored before."

If the Demon King's daughter is bored, the neighboring countries must be in a lot of trouble.

"Hmm, thinking about it, it might be better for Lady Carmilla to stay here and grow crops. It would reduce the unnecessary work in the castle. But, what about my job?"

"Will you grow crops with us, Claire? It's fun."

"Me? Really?"

"Even if you return, you'll just be overworked by Father and the others."

"That's true. In that case, it might be better to think of it as a long vacation and grow crops with Lady Carmilla."

As Carmilla spoke gently, Claire murmured with a distant look in her eyes.

It seems the work in the Demon King's castle is quite demanding.

Claire had the look of a corporate slave.

"Anyway, Hashira, is it okay for Claire to live here with us?"

Carmilla asked me with a pleading look, and I turned to Leidia for her opinion.

"What do you think, Leidia?"

"This is Hashira's place. Hashira should decide. I don't mind if more people join us."

Hmm, Leidia doesn't seem to be particularly opposed.

Claire seems loyal and serious, so she probably won't cause any trouble.

If she does, Rento and the Kira Plant will take care of her quickly.

"Sure, it's fine."

"Oh, thank you!"

"But, Claire must keep the Demon King informed."

If Carmilla isn't planning to return, we need to have Claire report to him.

"Eh? I don't need to contact Father?"

"I'm worried. If the Demon King comes and attacks, it would be a problem."

"That's true, that's scary."

Leidia also seemed uneasy, imagining the Demon King's attack.

"That's the condition for allowing Claire and Carmilla to stay here."

"Understood. Claire, please report to Father. When you're done, come back immediately."

"Whaaat!? I can't do it alone! I'll definitely die next time!"

"In that case, I'll send Rento with you."

When I said that, Rento, who had been standing behind us, stepped forward assertively.

"G, Geinote...! Yes, please, I beg you to have this person as my guard!"

It seems Geinote is well-known among demons. Claire nodded vigorously.

"Alright. I'll have Rento accompany you to a certain point on the way back, and when you come, I'll send him to meet you when I get the signal."

"Thank you."

"By the way, this is a separate matter, but can you bring seeds and seedlings from the country? And if possible, some seasonings. I'll give you magic stones from the Forest of Death as compensation."

Reporting to the Demon King is important, but since you're going back anyway, I'd like to establish trade. Ideally, I'd like to establish long-term trade through Claire.

The Forest of Death has various crops, but I'd like to grow and eat some that are commonly available.

According to Leidia, this world also has familiar crops like tomatoes and potatoes. If we can grow more of these, our meals will become more varied.

"Indeed, the magic stones from the Forest of Death are of high quality. I'll bring them back to improve our quality of life."

Claire readily agreed, thinking the Devil Fang magic stones I had were enough.

"I'll go immediately. I'll be back in about two weeks!"

"Too slow! Try to be back in a week!"

"I'm not Lady Carmilla, so it's impossible!"

I thought it might take time to process the report, but from the conversation, it seems the distance is simply too far.

Claire left the Forest of Death with Rento.

She'll return after seeing Rento off to a safe distance.

Alright, this is the first step in establishing trade.

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