The Story of an Arrogant Succubus Princess Who Always Looked Down on Humans as Mere Food, Until She Fell in Love With an Ordinary Man - Chapter 16

“It seems you’ve been quiet.”

After Liliana talked with the innkeeper, Asbel returned to the room carrying an enormous amount of food in both hands.

“Where did you get so much?”

“…A lot of things happened. Well, I should be able to eat this much, right?”

“That may be true…but, fine.”

Liliana picked up a thick sandwich filled with meat from the dishes on the table and took a big bite.

“…! It’s delicious! This is really good!”

“Is that so? I’m glad.”

Asbel poured a lot of chili pepper over the meat on a stick and took a huge bite.

“Can you even taste it with so much chili?”

“Don’t interfere with someone’s preferences.”

“That’s true, but…well, whatever. By the way, the innkeeper came to thank you. You seem to have some surprising connections, huh? Were you some old flame of hers?”

“There’s no way that’s true.”

“Then what is it? It didn’t look like you just helped her carry some heavy bags.”

“…………”

Asbel took another bite of the meat, now red with chili, and closed his eyes for a moment as if thinking.

“What is it? Is it something hard to say?”

“No, it’s not that. This inn…or rather, this town was originally supposed to be abandoned. There were mindless magical beasts causing disturbances in the nearby mountains. The kingdom decided it wasn’t worth sending reinforcements and reduced the guards at the castle.”

“And?”

“So, thinking that was unjust, I ignored that order and came to this town, killing all the magical beasts by myself. That’s all there is to it.”

“What…?”

Liliana stared closely at Asbel’s face. He was saying it so easily, but wasn’t that a very difficult thing to do?

“Killing magical beasts that could destroy a town all by yourself is pretty insane, you know?”

“I just killed a few thousand magical beasts. It’s nothing to make a fuss over.”

“…You’re one of those people who looks serious but actually has a few screws loose, huh?”

“I was told something similar by my superior back then. They told me to think about the future a little.”

“That’s understandable. Your superior must have a tough job. They are capable but also someone who absolutely won’t bend. That must be hard to deal with. I wouldn’t want to.”

“That’s why I stand out even within the knight’s order. The nickname ‘Impotent Asbel’ might also be a sign of dissatisfaction with me.”

Liliana imagined Asbel in the knight’s order. He was strict about the rules, yet he easily broke them himself. He forced results but was often disliked. And the final touch was his pitch-black, murky eyes.

“Ha ha, you really are unpopular.”

“I told you, I’m fine with that.”

“But that old lady at the general store…no, the weapons shop. Doesn’t she seem worried about you?”

“Working in the knight’s order means you could die at any moment. She understands that well enough.”

“Then there’s no point in keeping such a gloomy face.”

“Maybe. But I don’t want to compromise my path just because I don’t know when I might die.”

“…………”

At that moment, Liliana realized. It might just mean he doesn’t care if he dies at any moment. This man acts without hesitation because he has nothing to regret from the start.

Even if he is correct and saves many people, can it be said that he is truly living?

“I really dislike you.”

“Is that so?”

“…Saying ‘is that so’ is just like you. You might get kicked out of the knight’s order because you saved me. Doesn’t it make you angry to be called disliked?”

“No matter what you think, what I need to do won’t change.”

His eyes were completely devoid of color. Liliana took a big bite of her sandwich in frustration.

“…It’s really annoying. Once I’m full, I’m feeling a bit frisky. Should I let you have your way with me as a thank you for saving me?”

“Stop saying foolish things. If you’ve eaten, then go to sleep. Tomorrow will be a day full of walking.”

“Geez, that’s boring. I was just a little curious about how you’d hold a girl.”

“First of all, I’m impotent.”

“Is that not just a nickname? Is it really true?”

“It is. To begin with, I—”

Asbel stopped speaking and glared at the door. After a while, Liliana also heard footsteps approaching.

“…What kind of ears do you have?”

“Just be quiet.”

The footsteps stopped in front of their room, followed by a knock on the door.

“…Who is it?”

“It’s a knight assigned to patrol this town. Actually, we received word that a dangerous criminal has escaped in the royal capital, and we are conducting patrols. Sorry, but could you—”

Before the man could finish his sentence, Asbel opened the door without hesitation and punched him in the solar plexus.

“Wh…!”

The man let out a dry gasp and fell over.

“Hey! What are you doing?!”

“Our location has been discovered. We need to move.”

“Even so, there was no need to hit him suddenly…”

“I held back. I feel bad for him, but it was necessary. I wasn’t being followed, but this man might have had some leads on my whereabouts. We can’t let our guard down.”

Asbel began to leave the room with his belongings. But then, another intruder arrived.

“Please wait, Lord Asbel!”

The woman who introduced herself as the innkeeper appeared.

“You are…”

“I am Alicia, the owner of this inn. You may not remember, but I am one of the people you helped.”

“No, I remember you. But right now, there isn’t time to talk—”

“Please use the room in the basement. There, you won’t have to worry about being discovered. It’s rumored that magical beasts appear again on the mountain roads at night. So it would be best to hide here until nightfall and leave tomorrow morning.”

“……Is that really okay?”

“Yes. Please let me repay your kindness.”

The woman smiled. It was clearly the face of a love-struck girl, but Asbel didn’t notice that.

“Understood. Then I’ll borrow the basement room. But if something happens, tell the knights that I just threatened you.”

“Yes. Thank you for your consideration.”

“You heard that? Let’s go.”

Asbel walked calmly. Liliana tried to follow him, but first, she called out to the innkeeper.

“Are you sure you’re okay?”

“Okay with what?”

“No, you must like him, right? You need to tell that dense guy clearly, or he won’t get it!”

The woman’s face momentarily showed surprise at Liliana’s words, as if her heart had been seen through…but she quickly broke into a smile. It was a warm and dazzling smile that Liliana did not know.

“…”

For some reason, Liliana felt flustered by that smile.

“It’s fine. That man is still fighting for someone else, right? I can’t get in the way of that.”

“But…”

“Did you see how Asbel brought back an amount of food he could barely carry? Those were forced on him by the townsfolk who wanted to thank him. Asbel probably doesn’t realize it, but everyone is grateful to him. …So, for me, just being able to help him is enough. I am happy.”

“……”

That smile had never been directed at Liliana. She had received many offerings and was loved by many people. Even so, she had never once been thanked by someone.

“What are you doing? The pursuers might come. Hurry up!”

“…I know.”

Liliana chased after Asbel.

“Hey, you know…”

“What is it?”

“…Never mind, it’s nothing.”

What words did she want to say to that quiet back? Liliana didn’t even understand herself.