Mental Rebirth: The World's Savior Was Not Me, but My Childhood Friend and Stalker - Chapter 23: Treson's Melancholy

There’s a pleasant smell in the air. Morning sunlight. An unfamiliar ceiling. Ah, that’s right. I’ve been abducted by the Demon Lord and am confined in this castle. What’s this smell? I look around.

“First, wash your face. Do you want to take a shower? You’re looking disheveled.”

The Demon Lord was there, sitting on a chair, with a teapot and breakfast on a nearby table. Two cups…

“Were you waiting for me to wake up? To have breakfast together?” “Don’t make me repeat myself, wash your face first. There’s a sink over there.”

Reluctantly, I wash my face. The water is at a comfortable temperature and feels good. The towel provided is fluffy and soft. Since coming to this world, it’s one of the most comfortable things I’ve experienced.

I sit opposite the Demon Lord. Breakfast consists of bread, meat, vegetables, and a soup. Tea, reminiscent of black tea, is poured into the cups. The Demon Lord pours it herself.

“Is it okay for the king to make tea personally?” “Don’t worry, it’s my hobby. Before being a king, I am a woman. Constantly dealing with tedious kingly duties is suffocating. Although, I’m constantly told by Sufle and the others not to show such a side in front of my subjects.”

I sip the tea. Delicious. I’ve had tea from Rubure before, but this is just as good. It’s not about which one is better, but a different vector of deliciousness. A subtle sweetness lingers in the nose, leaving a clear aftertaste. The modest yet dignified aroma enhances the meal, creating an indescribable balance. The tea alone is not complete; it achieves perfection only when paired with the meal.

However, recalling the ominous word “training” from yesterday, I can’t let my guard down. What will happen to me now?

“Don’t be so tense. Tell me, you were summoned from another world, right? I’m interested. Tell me about this other world the humans have summoned you from.”

I start to talk about my world. To the Demon Lord, it’s all novel and fascinating. Even mundane details to me captivate her, and she eagerly asks questions. Contrary to my expectations, I gradually let my guard down.

“And then? What else can that smartphone do?” “King, it’s almost time for your next schedule…” Unknowingly, a considerable amount of time had passed, and a maid was informing the Demon Lord of her next appointment.

“Aw, can’t it wait? It’s just the usual briefing, right? It can go on without me.” “King, please mind your language in front of a human. I understand you wish to skip the regular briefing. I suppose saying that you are prioritizing ‘training’ the human Savior should be acceptable.”

The maid bows and leaves, and the Demon Lord waves her off cheerfully, devoid of any kingly dignity. For the Demon Lord, I must be no more significant than a pebble by the roadside. Despite my thoughts, she keeps eagerly urging me to continue the story, at least until the topic runs out, reassuring me of my safety for now.

Elder Elf Treson was strolling leisurely in the Demon Lord’s castle after finally being granted re-entry. The Demon Lord’s castle, accessible only to a select few, was a place of high honor. Just being able to enter was prestigious, and having the freedom to come and go was the envy of many.

Treson had limited access, but he could re-enter after completing formalities, which still placed him high in the hierarchy. He relished this sense of superiority.

“The air here is different… Just breathing the same air as those lowlifes outside makes me nauseous.”

On his way to the guest room, he overheard maids talking, catching a conversation he couldn’t ignore.

“The king is granting the human Savior permanent residency in the castle…” “Really? Maybe I should start currying favor…”

Permanent residency in the Demon Lord’s castle was the highest honor in this world. The last time someone received this right was one of the Four Noble Demons, hundreds of years ago. Now, a new chapter was being added, and the recipient was… the human Savior?

“You there! Is what you said true!?”

He interrogated the maids. The idea of the human Savior getting such an honor was unbelievable.

“Treson, sir! Yes, well… the king is also planning to assign a personal maid for the Savior.”

Permanent residency and a personal maid from the castle… The castle staff were selected elites, and those serving the royal family were top-notch. Assigning such a person to a mere human…?

“By the way, Sufle mentioned preparing for the species transformation spell. The king himself is going to perform it. With the permanent residency and all, he must be serious.” “What!? The king personally performing…? Are you truly serious!?”

Treson’s mind reeled at the thought of the king personally overseeing the transformation of a human into a demon. Such treatment for a mere human was unheard of.

Species transformation magic, as the name suggests, transforms non-demon beings into demons. However, it’s not just about transformation; it requires the power of a demon to do so. In other words, when performed by the Demon Lord himself, it leads to the creation of a new royal-class demon, meant to serve as a subordinate of the Demon Lord.

My body shudders. Why would such an honorable thing be granted to a mere human? It’s unfathomable.

“Where is this so-called Savior?” “Huh? He’s in a cell that was originally a first-class guest room… Wait, you can’t go see him now! The king is currently with him!!”

Perfect. The Demon Lord is there too. I know the truth about the Savior. The one I met at the guild, I felt no power from him. He’s not what the Demon Lord thinks he is, just a human with a grandiose title. As a loyal subject, I must reveal the truth.

“Your Majesty! Excuse me! I have something to tell you, that human is not a Savior, he’s… huh…?”

I was speechless. The Demon Lord was talking to the human intimately, at a distance where a slight stretch could touch him. Holding a teapot and personally pouring tea into a cup for the human. She seemed oblivious to my presence, deeply engrossed in their conversation.

When she stood up to refill the pot, noticing me for the first time, she glanced over.

“Sufle, what is this elf doing here? Why has he come?” “I apologize, Your Majesty, Sufle! I repeatedly told him not to come, but he wouldn’t listen…!”

The maid who had revealed the tea party to me was apologizing profusely.

“It seems he has no business here after all. Just came in uninvited.” “Understood, I’m in a good mood right now. I’ll let this disrespect slide this time. Leave now.” “Wait! Is it true that you’re granting this man permanent residency, and even performing a species transformation ceremony yourself? Please reconsider! Such honor should not be given to such a lowly being…”

The maid was in a panic, and her fears were soon confirmed. The Demon Lord’s attitude, warm until a moment ago, began to change.

“You seem to be misunderstanding something. To give advice to me… a rare creature getting arrogant? I was considering keeping you in the castle due to your rarity, but it seems I need to reconsider.”

The Demon Lord never recognized Treson as an individual, only interested in his rarity as an Elder Elf. Just like a collectible item due to his rare species, his entry into the castle was permitted. Treson didn’t realize this, so the Demon Lord’s statement now greatly wounded his pride.

“An animal! I… That’s right! Compared to the great and noble Demon Lord, I’m just an animal! But that human there is the same! How unbecoming for the Demon Lord to grant such a vile creature permanent residency…!”

My words trailed off. I couldn’t move my tongue properly. It was like being paralyzed. No, I actually couldn’t move.

“Are you treating my honored guest as a lower animal?”

That was a clear intent to kill. A Demon Lord’s killing intent can be so potent that it becomes a powerful curse, capable of killing merely with its intent. The Savior didn’t understand what was happening, only that Treson had suddenly become motionless.

“Please stop there, Your Majesty. It’s impolite to show a corpse in front of your guest.”

With Sufle’s words, the Demon Lord turned around, returning to her amiable demeanor.

“Forgive me, Savior. I showed you an unsightly sight. This is my apology.”

She brought a sweet to my mouth. It was excessively sweet but not unpleasantly so, dissolving like snow with a fleeting sweetness… surely an expensive treat as an apology.

“Take this elf out of the castle. He’s unpleasant.”

Without looking, the Demon Lord instructed a maid in the corridor.

“But Your Majesty… this elf ignored our words and came in anyway…” “Although he’s a rare species, it’s okay to hurt him a bit. I permit it.”

The maid grabbed Treson’s arms. He struggled in vain, unable to break free. Realizing then that even the maid had incomparably more power than him. Until now, she had refrained from using force, probably instructed not to harm him due to his rarity. But without such orders, they could easily take away his freedom.

“Alright, Treson, let’s cool your head for a while.”

I was thrown out of the castle by the maid and rolled on the ground. She gave me a cold glance before returning inside.

“Treson, are you alright? It’s late; shall we offer you accommodation in our barracks?” “Stay away from me!” I snapped, feeling humiliated. The guards were stronger than I was, and I couldn’t accept their help.

However, my resistance was futile. One guard told his partner to cover his post for a while, then forcibly carried me to the barracks.

“Sorry about this, but it’s truly dangerous. You know how being an Elder Elf makes you a target. If you’re leaving the castle, let me accompany you tomorrow. Please bear with it here for now.”

The guard locked the door and left. The room was a far cry from the castle’s opulence. Crude, a bit smelly, with a hard mattress. But what pained me the most was that human, the Savior. It was unbearable that someone like him was receiving the Demon Lord’s favor. Pure jealousy consumed me. How could I make the Demon Lord turn her attention from that lower being to me? That was all I could think about.