Vol 1 Chapter 5 – Agusta, the Demon Territory

“Wow, amazing, truly amazing. This is my first time riding a riding dragon, but they really are fast, aren’t they? They look sturdy, they’re incredibly strong… aren’t they a much superior vehicle compared to horses?” “That’s why I’m telling you to shut up! Were you born out of a mouth or something?!” “Both of you bastards, shut the hell up! If you don’t wanna get killed, keep quiet!”

Garon-san’s angry roar echoed out, and as I watched the gladiator talk back and promptly get punched to the ground…

—Ah, I remember now. Come to think of it, according to my prior information, this Aroma-san person is apparently quite a high-ranking figure among the Demons. And Garon-san, who bears the tattoo of the Demon Lord’s direct Royal Guard on his right arm, was probably dragged along as her escort.

So they’re both pretty big shots, huh? To think a mere slave is allowed an audience with such esteemed visages… what an honor.

“Garon-sama, Garon-sama.” “Don’t call my proud name, you lowly scum! You’ll taint it!” “I humbly request permission to use the restroom.” “…Hurry up, get down, and get it over with.” “With these shackles behind my back in the way, it’s quite difficult, though.” “…I’ll take them off, but don’t you dare try to run. If you show even a hint of trying, I’ll slit your throat with my claws.”

Saying that, he removed my shackles.

They can only take this kind of attitude because they completely underestimate humans.

This guy’s a pushover. It’s decided. I’ll start by winning this one over.

Shall I use this guy for practice? Practice for loving the Demons.

After all, from here on out, I have to thoroughly love the very pieces of shit who murdered everyone.

Right, Tia-sama?

Ah, I’m not cheating on you, I promise. There’s only one person I love, you know that.

Now then, time to start practicing right away.

—Ah, I really want to fluff Garon-san up. So cute, just like a dog. Apparently calling a werewolf a ‘dog’ is the ultimate insult, though. Yapping away like that, ah, how cute. I wanna lick him all over.

Kufufufu, ahaha.

—Arrived safely in the Demon Territory, famous for being terrifying to enter and terrifying to leave.

Or rather, my butt hurts. The shaking was awful, and the smell was awful. No saddle either? Just how thick is the skin on a Demon’s ass? Riding dragons really are useless vehicles. Horses are definitely the best.

As I was thinking that and dismounting, the dragon I was riding nearly bit my face off. Damn beast.

Well, after all that, we have finally arrived at the Demon Lord’s Castle. It’s my first time seeing it, but it seems its construction isn’t vastly different from what humans build. Probably to accommodate Demons who can fly, a wide open space serving as a landing pad was built into the upper floors.

“Welcome back.”

The lower-ranking Demons greeted Aroma-san and Garon-san with words like that. Though when they looked at me, some of them were licking their lips. I don’t taste good, you know?

Also, a harpy spat on me at one point.

That’s depressing.

I can’t even wipe my cheek because of these handcuffs. Well, whatever, she was a beauty.

It’s a reward, a reward. Hmph.

Just as I was comforting myself with sour grapes like that…

“It seems you’ve returned safely.”

A cool, refreshing voice, truly like the ringing of a bell, cut through my consciousness.

An exceptionally gorgeous woman wearing a white dress suddenly appeared from thin air. Pure white wings. Long hair shining like silver. Endlessly white, translucent skin. Despite her angel-like appearance, the reason she didn’t give off that impression at all was likely due to the strong, intensely crimson eyes blazing vividly within that visage.

A nostalgic face. It truly has been a long time, hasn’t it. Hey, Dad, Mom, everyone. The one who murdered you is standing right in front of me now.

Possessing limitless mana, rumored to be able to cast magic for eternity if she so desired: Christela of the “Infinite.” The leader of “Diabolo,” the most powerful organization in the Demon Territory of Agusta.

It seems several individuals are fighting over the seat of the Demon Lord among the Demons, but among them, she is undoubtedly known as the strongest. The true, undisputed King of the Demons.

That woman is standing right in front of me now.

My enemy. Humanity’s enemy. And, the woman I am supposed to love.

The main character of the game using the world that is about to begin: Christela Vala Detra.

Do you remember me? Ah, my heart’s actually pounding a little bit.

“Welcome back, Aroma. Good work to you too, Garon.” “Oh my, Princess-sama came out to greet us herself?” “I told you to stop calling me Princess-sama. I just happened to have some free time. Do you have anything to report?” “Hmm, nothing in particular this time. I’ll submit a report with the finer details later, so it should be fine if Your Majesty reviews it directly.” “Understood… Are those humans over there the ones?” “Yes, toys for the Little Sister-sama. We only managed to procure two in the end.” “That’s fine. We’ve been spoiling El a bit too much lately anyway. Let’s see, what kind of rabble are they?” “They were guaranteed to be sturdy, but who knows… the Little Sister-sama will probably break them immediately, won’t she? They aren’t really worth looking at.” “Just a bit of amusement. Let’s see… Hey, Garon, bring those two over here.” “Understood, Boss Lady!” “Stop calling me Boss Lady, too. There, raise your head. Starting with you.”

At those words, Garon pulled on the chain of the collar, lifting the face of the giant man next to me.

“Shut up, you Demon filth! Don’t you give me orders, you inferior species abandoned by God!” “Hmph, you’re quite feisty. Despite your vulgar appearance, it seems you’re a devout Salia follower. Then I suppose it must be God’s will that you are here. I assume you’re nothing but a washed-up bandit, anyway?” “Shut the hell up! The only ones I was targeting were inferior species like you!” “Every last one of them… humans only ever say similar things. I’ll do you the honor of appointing you as El’s playmate first, so you should feel privileged. Someone take him away.” “Yes, ma’am.” “H-Hey, stop! Dammit, ‘Idiot’ Electra?! You plan to feed me to that monster?! Let go! Let go of me, you bastards!”

Resisting until the very end, the former gladiator—oh, right, I never did catch his name. Well, whatever—had his arms restrained by two Demons and was dragged away, his hands still bound in iron shackles behind his back.

“Let’s see, the other one is… what’s this? He’s awfully scrawny. This won’t satisfy El. Even as livestock, there isn’t much meat on him to eat.” “I did leave it to a specialized contractor, for what it’s worth.” “It’s fine, it’s a trivial matter anyway. Let’s see, show me your face.”

Here it comes. Let’s put on a show of a romantic reunion, shall we?

“It’s been a long time. Do you remember me?” “Insolent!”

Saying that, Christela kicked my face straight up. I get treated worse than the last guy?

“…M-My neck just got shot into the stratosphere! Super exciting!” “Spouting nonsense!”

Undeterred, I tried to communicate again, but I just got kicked again… Please, give me a break.

Wait, was that my fault? Sorry, Tia-sama.

Did that just break my neck? Ouch, ouch.

But it’s fine, I got to see her panties. White, huh? Pure and innocent, very nice. Well, other colors would probably show through that dress. Either way, thanks for the meal.

“Lowly scum, who gave you permission to open your mouth?! You madman, as if I would have acquaintances among humans…” “…Your Majesty?” “…Aroma. Chain this one up in the dungeon. I will personally discipline him later. Before El breaks him.” “…? Understood. Garon-san, please handle it.”

…My jaw is still wobbling. Nice kick there, Demon Lord-sama.

It turned into a masochistic reunion rather than a romantic one, though. It’s fine, whatever. There’s plenty of time to recover. It really seems like she remembered me, after all.

If that’s the case, maybe I don’t need to grovel quite so much.

Just then, the chain on my neck was yanked hard. Ouch, quit it.

“Hey, follow me! Don’t think you’re gonna get away with disrespecting the Boss Lady!” “Yes, sooory, Garon-sama. I’m reflectiiiing.” “…Hey, human. Seriously, if you keep screwing around, I’ll kill you.”

Ahaha.

Just try and kill me. Just try and kill me.

Everyone who ever talked to me like that was stronger than me, but they all ended up dying before I did.

If I could die from this level of playing around, I wouldn’t be here in the first place.

Ahaha.

“…Tch, what a disgusting smell. You.” “I wanted to smell floral, but I wasn’t allowed to bathe.” “No, you smell like a corpse. It’s not the smell of blood… it’s the stench of rot.” “Oh my, have I joined the ranks of the Demons without realizing it? How much does a living dead make for a salary?”

It seemed Garon-san had decided to just ignore me at this point, and didn’t speak another word to me until we reached the dungeon.

Hmm, setting off flags is difficult, isn’t it, Tia-sama?

—The werewolf, Garon Vermillion.

Boasting some of the highest close-quarters combat ability in the entire Demon Territory, she serves as the captain of Christela’s Royal Guard.

Werewolves themselves are known for their high potential in close combat among Demons due to their physical prowess, and even among them, the Vermillion family is a distinguished, prestigious lineage that has produced many excellent soldiers within Agusta.

Garon was the sole heir to that family.

Garon was—no, let me express it this way.

She would later recount:

Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine.

That the piece of trash, lower than a pet, whom I personally fastened a collar onto when he was purchased.

That bastard who was supposed to be nothing more than an annoying slave.

Would become the male who got me pregnant.