Vol 3 Chapter 46 – Alice’s Diary 2

—Excerpt from the private diary of Intelligence Agent Alice Crux.

“That guy was deceiving Captain Garon after all. Deceiv… ed.

I reported it to Aroma-sama… couldn’t do it.

Every time I tried to say it, my mouth just opened and closed and the words wouldn’t come out. A… roma-sama looked at me weirdly.

Frustrating, sad… Why won’t she understand me?

She treated me coldly again. That Prime Minister cannot be trusted.

Furthermore, judged that she could become a threat to Nine-sama.

No. I don’t care about that guy at all.

Liar. That can’t be true.

Continuing, decided to proceed with observing Nine for Aroma-sama’s sake. After that, no changes.

Liar.

Puria is, that girl is already a lost cause. That poor girl. Poor thing.

Poor me.

Looks stupid. Where are your true feelings?

…

Today the weather was nice. The sun was warm and toasty.

…

Little Sister-sama’s… ‘s… phi Mer… cury’s… Unable to continue. Already advised Aroma-sama.

Aroma-sama, why did you do that to that person?

That person, is actually, … ? It can’t be. If so, then Aroma-sama too.

The previous Demon Lord was…

I don’t want to believe it. (From here on, indiscernible. Additionally, traces of erasure found in parts of the above text.)

Rule violation. This is not acquirable information. Inappropriate wording will be deleted, and the consistency of memories will be adjusted. Confirmed the occurrence of a defect in Alice Crux. Make contact with Nine and receive maintenance.

Understood. I will forget, … -sama.

Don’t touch me. Don’t come inside me. I hate humans. I hate humans. I hate humans. I ha… te that human.

Why did it come to this? Why, what did I even do?

…

Today, Aroma-sama and Her Majesty were deep in conversation.

Her Majesty seems to have an unexpectedly childish side.

So she’s like that when she’s in front of Aroma-sama. I thought it was a little cute, but I guess that’s rude of me.

No, when did I write this? I don’t remember. I don’t know anything about this.

… -sama, please don’t use my body without permission, I’m scared. I’m scared. At least, let me say goodbye to my little brother.

Currently no matters to report to Nine-sama. No need to report from now on. It’s fine. I am, for Aroma-sama’s sake.

Please believe me… Aroma-sama.

That’s enough now, good work. Rest peacefully, little fox. Sorry for the intrusion.

Please, believe me.

Someone save me.”

—From here on, only blank space continues.

Vol 3 Chapter 47 – Puria Harp

“Oh my, Puria-san. It’s been a while.”

“Oh, Nine huh. Long time no see~”

Even though we had only been separated for a few days, it seemed the feeling that it had been a long time was mutual.

Saying that, she kicked off the ground and landed lightly right in front of my eyes.

“Agile as always, I see. As a human who crawls on the earth, I couldn’t be more envious.”

“What’re ya sayin’ at this point? Ain’t no way a human could beat a demon’s physical abilities.”

Saying that, she lightly patted my head with those soft wings of hers.

Up until just the other day I was with her every single day, but this was the first time we had spoken properly recently—meaning, since returning to demon territory.

“Right, right, I got a message for ya from Captain Garon. Ya used to study in the library, right? We’re movin’ that spot to the Captain’s private room.”

“Eva-san is a little scary, after all.”

“Ah… makes sense. Well, I’ll guide ya to the Captain’s room later when it’s time.”

Puria-san nodded with a knowing look.

“…So, makin’ me run errands like this, whatcha gonna give me in return?”

“Eh? After all you did for me in Tiamaria… you’re asking for something over this?”

“That was then, this is now. Yer my gofer in the first place anyway.”

“Uweh, is that setting still active? Besides, the one who asked you to deliver the message was Garon-san, wasn’t it?”

“Don’t be spoutin’ petty things like a man, come on, keep me company for a bit.”

“Uweh.”

She pecked my collar with her mouth and dragged me away backward.

Wait, this is the castle’s main gate, though.

“W-W-Wait, Puria-san, where are we going? This goes outside, you know?”

“Secret~”

“…It’s not a ‘secret~’.”

Puria-san looked back over her shoulder with a wink.

It made my heart skip a little beat.

This girl really is calculating, but the problem is that those kinds of gestures suit her far too perfectly.

“Can’t be helped, I’ll tell ya… let’s head to the castle town for a bit. Help me with my shoppin’?”

“What, if that’s all, it’s fine. Or rather, if you had just told me from the start…”

“Ya ruined my clothes the other day, remember? Nfufu, pick out somethin’ that suits me, alright?”

“In that case… was this perhaps an invitation for a date? Oh my, how embarrassing.”

“Embarrassin’?”

“Eh?”

“Did ya just say it was embarrassin’?”

A shiver ran down my spine.

Huh?

For some reason, wait, the atmosphere just got a little unsettling.

Why? It was just our usual banter, wasn’t it?

“Ya sayin’ you don’t wanna go out with me? Even after I helped ya so much? Even after I walked such a dangerous tightrope for ya?”

“No, that was just a figure of speech.”

“Ya said you didn’t want to again.”

“Wait! I-It’s not like I don’t want to go out with you, Puria-san!”

“Is goin’ out with me really such a pain? Am I just a convenient woman to ya?”

Saying that, she brought her face close to mine.

No, no, seriously, wait a second.

There’s a ton of foot traffic right here!

Everyone is watching!

I can even hear voices saying, Oh my, Puria is so bold!

“U-Understood, understood, I’ll go, I’ll go.”

“…”

Is that not enough!?

“Woooow, I’m so happy~ Nine is thrilled to be able to go out with the cute Puria-san~”

“…Hehe.”

Ah, she finally smiled for me.

“Just jokin’, just jokin’. Well, ya always mess around, so it’s payback.”

“It-It’s not good for my heart, you know.”

Especially since El-chan just did something similar to me the other day.

“The cute, cute Puria-chan is going outta her way to keep company with the likes of you, ya know. It’s only natural for ya to look happy and obediently tag along, ain’t it?”

“…I s-suppose so.”

I won’t deny that she’s cute, but still.

This little bird, picking up strange ideas.

Puria-san is seriously a wicked woman.

Since she lacks hands to grab things, she usually can’t buy large amounts at once because she has to ask someone else to carry her shopping. But today, she has me—a bag carrier she doesn’t need to hold back around.

However, the worse a woman is, the more efficient she is.

It’s an undeniable fact that I found myself captivated by her as her expressions changed quickly and constantly, leaving me no time to be bored.

When we entered a clothing store she frequented, after exchanging a few words with the Arachne (spider woman) clerk, she efficiently selected several items and put on a private fashion show just for me.

It seems a tendency to prefer somewhat revealing clothes is a characteristic of flying races to keep their load as light as possible. Even so, the sight of her twirling around in a dress with a gentle blue gradient undeniably fascinated me.

“It suits you. But with a color like the sky, you might blend into the background when you fly.”

“Nfufu, that might be true. But you wouldn’t lose sight of me, right?”

“Of course not~”

“So light! Yer words are so light!”

I mean, come on, even I get embarrassed.

This person is way too defenseless.

“Ehehe, well, if ya say it suits me, I’ll buy it.”

…That’s why I’m saying, smiles like that are way too innocent.

My date with Puria-san, whom I’ve known for quite a while now, was unexpectedly comfortable and fun.

She was easy to talk to, and the time spent with her, filled with charm in her every little gesture, was incredibly fulfilling.

“Hey now, hurry up! Yer young, so move with some pep!”

“Puria-san, phew, you’re the one… who’s younger, pant, aren’t you?”

Phew, I let out another deep breath, trying to send even a little bit of air into my lungs, but it wasn’t going very well.

I arrived in this land in early autumn, but even though the footsteps of winter can already be heard, I was sweating profusely.

And all of it was because the little bird in front of me had made me walk around carrying the luggage she bought from all over the place.

That being said, there is a part of me that’s grateful.

Even though it’s been a while since I came here, I spent most of that time in Tiamaria and ultimately never came to the castle town even once, so this made me feel refreshed.

Plus, I was able to learn that the structure of the houses is almost indistinguishable from human ones, and the market uses the exact same currency as humans do.

It’s just that demons and beastkin are living their lives instead of humans.

Garon-san had already taught me about this, but seeing is believing. It was a valuable experience.

“Next, over here, over here. Got a recommended eatery right here! I’m treatin’, so hurry up!”

“Yees, ma’am.”

Puria-san’s recommended spot was, surprisingly, a vegetarian restaurant.

I thought she liked meat, though.

She doesn’t need to appeal to her feminine side in a place like this after all this time.

When I said that, a kick came flying my way.

I had foolishly let my guard down, thinking I’d just get swatted by her wings.

“…Come to think of it, are ya gettin’ a proper salary?”

While munching away silently—it might be rude to say, but eating like a dog—pecking at the salad she was served, Puria-san asked me that.

The bowls the food was served in were all designed so that nothing would scatter around even if she ate from them. I see, so these kinds of details are what Puria-san liked about this place, I realized in agreement.

“I’m receiving one, for the most part. Just a little bit, though. Truly just a little bit.”

“That’s no good. A man who can’t provide gets hated, ya know?”

The organization known as Diabolo is surprisingly stingy.

Well, given my status, I don’t really intend to complain much, but to be blunt, they only pay me a wage that borders on starvation level.

Well, it’s probably Aroma-san’s doing.

Chris actually feels like the type to be sloppy with money.

“Well, if ya ever get hungry, come talk to me. I can at least take care of yer meals.”

“Oho, that’s very reassuring.”

“Hehe, I’ve got this kinda body, after all. Can’t exactly cook for ya, though.”

“No way, just having you treat me is more than enough.”

“…I might be, just a little bit, just a tiny little bit envious of the races with nimble fingers.”

The profile of Puria-san as she muttered that quietly contained just the faintest hint of sorrow.

…If, by some million-to-one chance… no, I know I’m getting ahead of myself.

There’s no need to think about unnecessary things.

She’s already smiling happily and resuming her meal, anyway.

…It might not be delicious, but…

Sometime, I’d like to let her eat my home cooking.

I wonder if she’d be happy.

Or would she get angry, calling me insensitive?

Either way, I’m sure it wouldn’t diminish her beauty in the slightest.

As the two of us left the restaurant, the setting sun entered my field of vision.

Even though it’s close to winter and the days have gotten considerably shorter, I realize only now that I had been walking around town with her for much longer than I thought.

“Today was fun. Thanks.”

“No, no, the pleasure was all mine. Thank you for the meal.”

“Yeah, just leave the bags over there. My room’s a mess so I don’t wantcha lookin’ inside… alright, good to go.”

After returning to the castle and carrying the things she bought to the front of her room, she told me she’d guide me to Garon-san’s room, so I followed her.

Honestly, because the time up until now had been so fun, I had almost forgotten, but starting today, my studies in Garon-san’s room were beginning.

“Here it is, can ya come by yerself from now on?”

“Yes, I’ll be fine, thank you very much. Thanks for everything today.”

She was forceful at first, but Puria-san treated me really well today.

I’ll have to return the favor sometime, I thought.

She turned to look back at me, whispering softly with a smile.

“Just one thing I wanna say, though.”

“Hm? Did you forget to mention something?”

“No, no, it’s a favor. Just a favor.”

“What is it? You treated me to a meal today, so if it’s something I can do.”

“Then, lend me yer ear for a sec.”

Puria-san leaned in close to my ear, close enough for our lips to touch.

“Phew.”

“Uwah! H-Hey, stop it! What are you doing!”

“Ahaha, just jokin’, just jokin’.”

Then, perhaps having heard the commotion.

“Hey, don’t make a racket in front of my room! You’re being loud!”

Enter Garon-san.

“Ah, Captain, sorry ’bout that.”

“Oh, it’s you, Puria… Ah, so you delivered him for me, my bad.”

I’m not a piece of mail, you know.

“No, no, don’t worry about it. Thanks to him, I had a good time, too.”

“…Hah?”

“Just a little bit, ya know.”

“What’s that? Did you not just guide him here?”

At those words, Puria-san fell silent and smiled softly.

Garon-san narrowed her eyes slightly… I wonder what it is, something about the atmosphere feels strange.

Leaving me behind as I instinctively looked back and forth between the two of them, Puria-san shot a light glance at Garon-san, and without breaking eye contact, brought her face close to my ear once again.

In a tiny, tiny voice, she whispered.

“Ya better not turn down my invitations from now on, alright? ‘Cause ya owe me a massive debt in Tiamaria, got it?”

“…Eh?”

At the tone of her voice, it felt like an icicle had been shoved down my spine.

“I’m already yours. But yer mine too, remember that.”

I instinctively recoiled and looked at her face; goosebumps erupted on my skin.

Her eyes weren’t smiling in the slightest.

She had the glare of a bird of prey.

My date with her today was so much fun.

Up until just a moment ago, I was feeling pleasantly embarrassed, thinking, Come to think of it, this was the first date of my life.

I had no intention of thinking about such things, nor did I want to, but because the Puria-san right in front of me was staring at me, practically licking me all over with just her gaze, it felt as if the warmth in my chest gained from my first date was being thickly painted over by something viscous and sticky.

I remembered the fact that I was just a powerless human, and that I was on the side being preyed upon.

That’s right, she is.

A monster capable of slicing off a human’s head with a single swing of her claws.

And I had forcefully tied a twisted relationship with such a girl.

“Hey, Nine. Get inside already.”

What pulled me back to reality as I stood frozen in place was Garon-san’s reliably rough tone of voice.

“Ah… right, right, I am terribly sorry for keeping you waiting.”

“What the hell is that phrasing?”

I unintentionally used strange wording, but Garon-san didn’t even crack a smile, merely casting a single glance toward Puria-san.

“Good work, Puria… You can head back now…?”

Very unlike herself, Garon-san spoke slowly, pausing between every single word.

“No, no, don’t worry about something like this… Ah, right, one more thing. Hey, Nine…?”

Even though she said just one thing earlier.

Puria-san casually broke eye contact with Garon-san and looked at me.

In a terribly nasal, sweet, coaxing voice that completely betrayed her usual lively image.

In a voice so flirtatious toward a man that even a dense guy like me could feel it, she called out to me like this:

“Make sure ya properly feed the prey ya catch, alright? I’m sure Alice feels the exact same way, ya know?”

At those next words, Garon-san clearly reacted. I could see the fur on her tail violently standing on end.

“…”

Right on the verge of Garon-san saying something, Puria-san returned to her usual, cute little bird atmosphere.

“Well then, I’ll be takin’ my leave~”

And with an upward inflection at the end of her sentence, she offered a light greeting and walked away.

“…She sure is energetic, isn’t she?”

Being the person I am, those were the only words I could manage to say in that moment.

Garon-san stared at Puria-san’s retreating back for a while.

But then, pushing my body into the room with her tail, she closed the door with a terrifying, uncharacteristic quietness.