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Preparations for the Meeting

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(POV switch – Claas)

“To think that seeing Ran on the roof made it look like you were being attacked by a demon. I thought it suited the Demon King’s carriage, but I guess it caused a misunderstanding.” (Nobunaga)

“No, I should apologize for failing to inform the Knight Order. And thank you for your thoughtfulness, Demon King-sama.” (Claas)

By the time we had finished gathering information and went out to greet him, the Demon King had already entered Mustang and was heading toward the Baron’s residence. So, we hurried to meet up and are now accompanying them as guides to the Baron’s estate. However, just as the rumors said, his face can only be described as that of a Haniwa statue. That alone was the most terrifying part.

“We have arrived. This is Baron Farce’s estate. It may be a bit cramped for the Demon King of the Great Forest of Owa.” (Claas)

“No, no, it is quite splendid. A marvelous feat of architecture.” (Nobunaga)

After getting out of the carriage, we guided the Demon King and the two behind him, the Arachnid and the Lizard Commander. We could have taken them straight to the reception room, but it was unclear whether the Baron and the Emperor had finished their preparations. Therefore, we decided to stop by a waiting room first.

“My apologies. We are still making preparations for the meeting. Would you mind waiting in this room for a while?” (Claas)

The Arachnid and Lizard Commander behind him showed a slightly hostile air, but the Demon King calmed them. Though his face remained unchanged, he responded in a cheerful voice.

“I see. Perhaps we arrived a bit too early. Riding in the carriage was tiring. This will serve as a good break.” (Nobunaga)

“Thank you. If you need anything, please use this bell.” (Claas)

I placed the bell on the desk in the waiting room and assigned a maid nearby. I was about to head straight to the Baron.

“Oh, wait. I’m sorry, but could you boil this for me?” (Nobunaga)

The Demon King stopped me and handed me… Totsu-Totsu? Totsu-Totsu is something like a thorny ball that grows on trees in the Empire’s northern territories beyond the Farce domain. There’s a story that a merchant once threw one to drive off a monster, and since then it has become something traveling merchants are said to carry. Due to this tale, in the Farce domain, where encounters with demons are frequent, it is imported and used as a kind of talisman for children. It’s said to be enough to repel a small demon like a goblin, and since they’re abundant in the north, they can be procured cheaply.

To boil this?

Perhaps my confusion showed on my face, for the Demon King suddenly made a sound of realization, took back the Totsu-Totsu, and dropped it on the floor. Then, he crushed it with his foot…!

For a moment, his leg looked different. But when I looked up, his face was still that Haniwa face, and his leg showed no change. Only the Totsu-Totsu had been cracked open, revealing something like a fruit inside.

“Sorry, this. Please boil this.” (Nobunaga)

He handed me two of the fruits that had come out of the Totsu-Totsu.

What on earth were these?

I had my doubts, but if he said to boil them, I had no choice but to do so. It added a bit to my workload, but it was nothing worth worrying about.

As I left the room, I felt as though the Demon King was watching me unusually closely. And just before I closed the door, it seemed like the Demon King had done something odd.

Maybe I’m just tired… or maybe he did do something. But it would be rude to open the door without a reason just to check. For now, I’ll place a maid at the door and head to the kitchen quickly. I will boil this. Just one? No, better to be safe. I’ll have more Totsu-Totsu gathered, broken open in the same way, and boiled.

 

—

 

The Emperor had already completed his preparations. Although he had only moved from the reception room to a different waiting room than the Demon King, he was ready. The Baron was also prepared, and they were now having a final discussion.

“We draw out as many demands as we can. We don’t agree to anything. We buy time. Even a child could follow this plan. Claas, what did you think of the Demon King?” (Gilford)

“Frightening in every possible way. On the way here, he deliberately had the Arachnid rides on the roof of the carriage, provoking a conflict with the Knight Order. From his side, it was probably a calculated move where, if it worked out, it was a bonus. You could call it off-the-board tactics. Now they have one more card to use in negotiations. Well, since even a child could manage this, it should be easy for the nobles present here.” (Claas)

“…So, did you learn anything else?” (Gilford)

The Baron’s face was slightly twisted. He was probably regretting his own words and actions.

Normally, I would add one or two sarcastic remarks here, but I won’t do that now. The Baron will have to do his best in dealing with the Demon King from this point on.

“There isn’t much. I felt like something was happening, but in the end, I couldn’t figure it out.” (Claas)

When the Totsu-Totsu was cracked open, when the door was being closed. The Demon King was probably doing something in those moments. If I had confirmed it, the meeting might have proceeded more favorably. As a steward, I should have verified it. However, I couldn’t do it. It was terrifying, I was afraid, I wanted to run away.

I now realize that is how I felt.

“Milord, please try to remain calm in front of the Demon King. Thanks to the former master, I have, though weakly, fought against monsters, demons, and even humans who turned to banditry. I believed I had grown somewhat accustomed to fear. And yet, even now, my body has begun to tremble.” (Claas)

The Arachnid is a half-human, half-spider type of demon. Half is spider, but if you think of the other half as human, it is not so frightening. The Lizard Commander is even simpler. A vicious, hunched, bipedal lizard covered in scales. Surprising, but not an issue once you get used to it.

Only the Demon King is different. Only the Demon King.

Eyes and mouth like hollow voids. No ears, and it is impossible to tell where he is looking or what he is thinking, as his expression never changes. That is not the form of a living creature. It is also different from the Skeletons, which are categorized as the dead.
It is something that is neither living nor dead. And that very being behaved in the friendliest manner. That is what make it terrifying.

The fear of not being able to understand or comprehend. It is a primitive kind of fear, like that of a child afraid of the night, resurfacing from deep within.

“You…! That’s seriously frightening. I understand, I’ll try to be careful. So, what will you do? Will you sit out the meeting with the Demon King?” (Farce)

Certainly, in a meeting with the Demon King, only the Baron is required to be present. Menial tasks can be entrusted to attendants. However…

I took a deep breath and reset my mind. Doing so, the trembling in my body stopped, and even the fear I had felt moments ago had disappeared.

“If I am not there, who will cover for milord’s mistakes? Please be at ease. As long as I know it is frightening, there are many ways to deal with it.” (Claas)

There is no problem at all. Earlier, I was unaware of how terrifying and frightening it was. But now I know. If that is the case, then, no matter how terrifying or frightening it may be, hiding it is easy.

“Then, I shall go and call him.” (Claas)

From this point on, it is the Baron’s responsibility. Say what you will, he is a seasoned and cunning noble. When it comes to negotiations, he ranks among the top even within the Empire.

Trusting in that alone, I went off to summon the Demon King.

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