"Wooooooow....."
The day is approaching evening decorates with birds flying back to their nests. The orange light of the sun setting from the sky hit the face of the man next to me, Saoto. I look at Saoto's smiling face while he is also looking back at me. I don't know why my heart becomes so calm after seeing his soothing face. My reverie stops for a moment as soon as he hugs me tightly next to him.
"Sei, let's go back to our house"
Saoto looks at me with a smile on his face before gently stroking my head. Although I'm a little embarrassed when I hear the word 'our' used by him, I don't hate it. I rest my head on his arm while saying softly to him,
"A-aight"
Suddenly, a magic circle is etched on the ground after being cast by Saoto before our current view changes and now arrived in front of a majestic medieval-style castle. I'm stunned as soon as I see the astonishing palace that I would live with him from now on. My daydreaming then stops as soon as Saoto pulls my hand tightly to follow his steps.
"Sei, let's come inside"
Saoto smiles at me as he pulls my hand to walk after him. I return his smile before slowly following his footsteps. I look at the palace yard in amazement as I see its surroundings that are fully decorated by various types of plants and there is even a mini garden with a fountain in the centre of the palace yard. We keep walking our way until we finally arrive at a large door that divides the main yard from the palace. Right in front of it, a familiar figure greets us while panting like she is tired of doing something.
"W-welcome home, Mahou and Mahou Saoto..." (Tired)
"Hmph? Didn't you just claimed that you used to be a maid. How come you are this tired already?"
Saoto asks as soon as he sees a tired Nita greeting us at the door. Nita then looks at Saoto's face before expressing her regret about something.
"WHO IS N-NOT TIRED?!! N-NITA SEARCHED ALL OVER THE PALACE TO FIND THE OLD LADY BUT SHE'S NOWHERE TO BE SEEN" (Furious)
Saoto falls silent for a moment as if he is remembering something. He thinks for a moment before looking back at Nita's face while continuing,
"Aah... The other maids are all still on day-off. The only maid currently in-charge is that old maid. How can you not meet her already?"
Nita clenches her fists as veins start appearing on her face. Then, she releases her regrets by yelling to the man standing in front of her.
"W-WHERE THE OLD MAID YOU MENTIONED EARLIER?!! THERE IS ONLY THIS YOUNG-LOOKING MAID THAT I SEE HERE?!!" (Furious)
Someone appears behind the door as soon as Nita points her finger at her. A young looking woman wearing a maid outfit stands behind the slightly open door before continuing to open it wider.
"Welcome home, Mahou Saoto, Mahou Seinarin"
The woman bows as a sign of respect as soon as she sees us. At a glance, her eyes quickly stare at Nita who is still stunned in place. Noticing that she's being stared at, Nita immediately lowers her body again to show us respect.
"A-anu... It's okay"
I signal the maid in front of me to tell her to get up again. That's because I feel sorry for Nita who has sweated all over her face as soon as she gets stared at by her. The woman then straightens up her posture again before introducing herself.
"Mahou Seinarin, please call me Ena. I am the chief maid in this palace. If Mahou encounter any problem, don't mind finding me"
I nod while looking at her strangely. Her pointed ears catch my attention since such ears seem familiar to me. Suddenly, Saoto looks back at Nita's face next to him while saying,
"This is that oldest maid I mentioned. So what's the problem?"
In a moment Nita looks at Saoto again while shouting in fury.
"W-WHAT DO YOU MEANS BY OLD?!! ARE YOUR EYES BLIND OR SOMETHING?!! SHE'S CLEARLY A YOUNG-FINE WOMAN?!!"
Nita snaps while clenching both her hands down. Saoto then lets out a heavy breath and shakes his head before continuing,
"Ah, you got it all wrong... The old I mean in terms of ages not by appearances... I call her Obaa-San because I have already been in her care since I was young. You can't see demon races the same as human. Besides that, how can you determine someone's old if his appearance is just a thick-haired werewolf?!!"
"Uhm, a-anu..." (Grin)
Nita grins while scratching her head after realizing she is in the wrong. I can't help myself and chuckle to see her gets teased again by him. If I think about it further, it does make sense that it's hard to determine the demon's age just by their appearance since they consist of many races with different attributes each.
I then look back at Ena after I recall something in my mind. Ena who has pointy ears is indeed an elf, known for having the longest lifespan amongst the demons. They usually live up till 3000 years so no wonder why they look so young even though they are considered 'antique'. It doesn't stop right there. Although it sounds common, the long lifespan has allowed them to become number one in the world in any terms including magic. They not only have the ability to learn a lot of magic but they also have enough time to master it and even develop the new potential of the magic that could make them invincible. In the end, I nod for a moment after understanding why Nita, a known warrior is also scared even by a stare from her.
"N-Nita-San... Did you think I'm that old?!!" (Furious)
"EEP?!!"
Ena looks directly at the woman who was standing next to her with a threatening smile while tightly gripping her shoulder. Nita, who is already trembling in fear then slowly faces me to ask for something.
"Mahou... Please help Nita..." (Almost crying)
Nita looks at me while asking to help her gets out from the situation. However, I shake my head not to interfere. She gets what she deserves since she's the one who misunderstood things. Tears suddenly well up in both her eyes before she looks back at the face of the woman next to her.
"It seems that there is a lot of discipline as a maid that Ena needs to cover on you..." (Smile)
"Eek?!!"
Nita turns surprised as soon as she hears Ena's words in an angry tone. Saoto and I just smile to see the behavior of this one of our subordinates. For a moment, Nita looks at me again before lowering her body to say something.
"l-I'm sorry, Mahou Seinarin. From today onward, Nita will be on duty as Mahou's private maid. If Mahou has any problems, just ask Nita to come"
I'm surprised to hear Nita's words. I then approach her and gently stroke her head. Although everything did not go as what she wants, at least she still gets to be my personal maid. Nita, surprised by me then looks directly into my face before I return her gaze with a smile while nodding slowly to her.
"T-Thank you, Nita-San"
Nita looks at me with happy tears in her eyes. I keep smiling at her face before being surprised by Saoto who suddenly grabs my shoulder tightly before saying something.
"EEP?!!"
"Nita, please guide Sei to shower and get ready for bed. Saoto have things to be done for now"
I look at the man next to me with a surprised face. Saoto then looks back at me while smiling before kissing my head and stroking it gently. I don't know why I feel odd as soon as I hear that he's about to leave me for some business even though I has known well his role in Miltia as the Great Demon King. However, my uneasy heart suddenly calms down again after my head gets kissed by him. My cheeks then blush as soon as I notice that the man behind me knows that I would feel a little lonely after his departure.
"It's fine, Sei. Meet Saoto in Saoto's room tomorrow if Sei wants to be caressed like this again"
Saoto then kisses my cheek while smiling at me. Embarrassed by his action, I then immediately cup both of my cheeks which are blushing while facing my body away from him. Despite being embarrassed by what he just said, I don't deny that lately I get very addicted to being caressed gently by his hand.
("Does my heart really wants me to become his lovey...") (Blushing)
Saoto then steps back while waving his hand at me before a circle of magic lights up, making him disappear from my sight.
"Take care, Sei"
I smile to greet his departure. Suddenly, I get shocked when Nita jumps me and tightly hugs my body.
"Mahou, let's Nita help Mahou taking a bath-"
I then push her away from me while shaking my head in panic to reject her offer.
"I-it's fine... I-I can take a bath by myself..." (Panicked)
Nita's eyes immediately waters as soon as she hears my rejection. Even though she really wants to bathe me, I have to reject it nicely because, even though I currently look like this, I'm not used to bathing as a girl. Plus, the atmosphere in the bathhouse where everyone dresses openly also makes me a little embarrassed when my curves could be clearly seen by the others.
("Actually, I'm also worried that my manly desire will arise as soon as I'm bribed with such a sight. What if I turn back again during the bath...") (Stared)
I then imagine the things that worried me. A man in a woman's bath naked without wearing any clothes. Everyone who sees it will think that I'm a pervert and have done something indecent there. However, I'm shocked as soon as my back gets held tightly and pushed by Ena without having any strength to fight back.
"B-but E-Ena-San... W-what if anything happens there..." (Panicked)
"N-O... This is indeed our duty"
Ena looks at me with a stern face. I then wave my hands frantically to explain my reasons to her but stop as soon as her sharp gaze is directed at me.
"If Mahou Seinarin wants to fight Ena, go on. But with Mahou's current abilities, Mahou won't be able to touch me even-"
I quickly cover Ena's mouth with both of my hands. I don't think this little misunderstanding could escalates and becomes this big. Finally, I nod slowly, accepting my fate.
"F-fine... S-Sei will do it together"
I then get surprised by Nita, who closely watching from earlier, suddenly jumps and huggs me tightly with a face full of joy. It seems that I worried for nothing. My heart calms as soon as I'm being hugged tightly by her body. I then pull both of her cheeks as she continues to hug for a long time.
"Oi Nita-San, hurry up and show me the way already... Quit with the drama..."
"Eek?!!"
Nita caresses her redden cheeks before smiling back at me. The hand that she extends, I welcome to be guided. The joy in her face accompanies my every step to the bathhouse.
----------------------------------------------------------
A messenger approaches a large throne on which sits a figure wearing robes of glory that is partially visible by the moonlight. In a hurry, the messenger then bows down to give him respect before reporting something to him.
"The mages deployed in Miltia are found dead as soon as they entered the area. However, we also don't see the bodies of the Warrior Mona there"
For a moment, the figure touches his forehead before bursting out laughing as soon as he hears the news conveyed to him. The figure then straightens his body back before taking the glass next to him and starts drinking it.
"Saoto, Saoto... Apparently you're more powerful than I thought..."
The figure then stands up and slowly descends from his throne before finally stopping in front of a large window. While looking into the moon, he says something to the messenger behind him.
"Arrange a meeting with Demon King Ilia and the representative of The Kingdom's Warriors"
The messenger bows himself as a sign of respect before saying out loud,
"Aight"
The messenger then stands up again before leaving the scene, leaving the robed figure staring at the night sky that is lit by the moonlight. In an instant, he takes out a gold coin with a hole in the middle of it before pointing it directly to the moon.
"Saoto... Is that you?"
A cynical smile is etched on the part of his face that gets revealed by the moonlight.
----------------------------------------------------------
The warm air fills the entire bathroom. Although the palace looks ancient and classic, it is surprising that there is a huge hot spring inside it. The warm water with a classic view here is guaranteed to soothe every bather.
Except me.
I sit soaking in the hot water pool while facing the wall with a restless heart. It can't be helped. This scene behind me is a heaven for my manly desire since I'm here, soaking myself in the women's hot water pool. So, I keep staring at the wall without paying attention to the figure behind me to not arouse something manly inside me. At the same time, I continue to hold my cheek so that I would remain calm and not get carried away by the 'dangerous' atmosphere here.
("So warm-") (Daydreaming)
I scream in surprise as soon as my chest gets groped by the person behind me.
"EEP?!! ENA?!!"
I'm shocked to see Ena right behind me as I keep trying to release her hand from holding my chest.
"Mahou Seinarin, Ena has completed Ena's duty. So, Ena's responsibility now is to bathe Mahou"
Although I understand her duty very well as a maid, who's not surprised if they are greeted like this. People usually greet someone by patting their back, touching their shoulder or greeting casually instead of suddenly touching someone's chest.
"E-ENA... L-LET IT GO!!!" (Panic)
I'm struggling to get Ena's grips off of my chest. However, my efforts are useless as she still manages to hold them tightly. I don't know why a strange feeling suddenly emerges as soon as she touches me, causing my voice to slightly shake. I keep squirming for her hand to be released.
"E-ENA-SAN... S-STOP-"
"Ena saw Mahou blanking just now while holding tightly Mahou's cheek that was kissed by Saoto-Sama earlier. Does Mahou miss him so bad right now?"
I become silent as soon as I hear the question asked by Ena. For a moment, my cheeks redden as soon as I realize that I've been watched by her from earlier. Filled with embarrassment, I continue to submerge part of my head into the hot water so that no one could see my redden cheeks.
"Mahou, don't worry... Saoto-Sama is a really good person. Saoto-Sama would never do such a thing to Mahou"
Ena releases her grip while explaining it to me. I stay silent as soon as I hear her explanation. However, deep down in my heart, I'm very calm to know about it. I then look back at Ena with a puzzled look.
"Ena-San, why does Saoto give the other maid time off while Ena doesn't?"
I ask out of curiosity. Although it sounds like I really wish Ena isn't here with me right now, I actually am a bit curious to know why Saoto didn't give Ena a time off. I already know that he is kind but there is no way he intends to trouble Ena, the maid who has taken care of him since his childhood. I keep staring at Ena who falls silent as if she is thinking about something. Suddenly, I'm shocked as she quickly pulls out my body from the water while tightly hugging it.
"Saoto-Sama is a kind-hearted Demon King. Before Saoto-Sama ruled over Miltia, it was once ruled by a Demon King with a large body and also a human like him. However, the demon race here were all oppressed and some of us were enslaved. Some even sold to The Kingdom with the aim of satisfying their worldly lusts..."
I'm surprised to hear Ena telling me the truth in such a tearful tone. Without realizing, I already clenched my fists tightly as I get furious by what was done to the demon race before. Maybe because I understand very well the feelings of the demon since I am also one of them now. However, I'm surprised as soon as Ena wipes my eyes which have unknowingly shed tears with her hand while looking at me with a smile on her face.
"It's fine, Mahou... All of that is the past. Ever since Saoto-Sama defeated and killed the previous Demon King, King Baros, all the demon races in the Miltia area have now been treated like citizens. Those of us who are always forced to work are now given freedom and holidays like we should have. Many of the maids here who have never met their beloved families are finally able to meet them. That's why Ena-San continue to take care of Saoto-Sama as the head maids of the palace to thank him for giving a new hope to Miltia."
Ena-San wipes my tears while hugging me tightly. Even though she gets a bit emotional, she forces herself to smile, showing me how grateful she is with the presence of Saoto as Miltia's hero. Looking at her, there is no need for me to keep sad about what has passed. However, I'm still eager to know more about Saoto who saved Miltia back then.
"Ena-San, at what age did Saoto save Miltia? Because his age and Sei's age are not too far apart-"
"Nine years old"
"Huh?!!"
I widen my eyes at her face as if I'm not believing what I heard just now.
It is so surprising.
Our age are only three years apart. At that age, even I myself still learn swordsmanship techniques on my own, but that man already managed to defeat someone with the title of Great Demon King that easily. I'm shocked to know about how strong he was.
("Is he really a human...") (Stared)
For a moment, I get shocked again by Ena who starts touching my chest again. I then struggle to ask her to let go of her hands again.
"E-ENA?!!"
"What does Mahou want to be surprised about? Ena is more surprised to see that Mahou who is a succubus, should like these things-"
I'm surprised as soon as I hear Ena's words. While panicking, I quickly place both my hands to cover up her mouth from continuing.
"S-Sei isn't a n-normal s-succubus..."
I grin at Ena's puzzled face as she looks at me. Anyway, I just recently found out that I am a succubus and also the Demon King who once ruled the entire Terror Canyon. Not to mention, I don't even remember a single thing about being one before. Besides, before this, I was just a man with a tough life that has made me far from the word 'experienced' as a succubus. At a glance, I see Ena looking at me with a smile on her face with a hidden intention in it.
"Mahou, as an experienced elf, how about Ena teach Mahou how good it feels to be-"
"N-O!!!"
I push Ena's mouth away as if she wants to kiss me. Ena finally releases her grip from my chest before falling into the hot water. Ena then resurfaces again while showing half of her face from the water.
"Eeh, how sad... Although Ena can teach Mahou about-"
"IF IT'S LIKE THAT, T-THEN W-WHY ENA-SAN STILL SINGLE NOW?!!" (Furious)
Furiously, I question her credibility who despite having lived for many years, yet still doesn't have any partner. Ena immediately looks at my face while slightly frowning before answering me with a trembling voice,
"E-Ena do h-have one..." (Tremble)
"Sure?"
I look at Ena's face, not believing a single thing she said. In an instant, Ena's face turns gloomy before staring down as if she has already resigned to her fate.
"It's not Ena's fault that Ena is still single. Everyone who sees Ena is scared of Ena's age-"
"Yosh, Yosh.."
I gently stroke Ena's head to calm her down as she gets depressed about everyone avoiding her just because of her age. To think about it, I thought a long life is not all good and beautiful. I don't know why my heart feels relieved knowing that I don't live as long as she did.
"Mahou, Mahou also has lived for a thousand years, right? What's the secret that made Saoto-Sama so captivated?"
I'm shocked to hear the question she asks. My body then freezes for a moment after realizing about what I just said earlier.
("Ouh... I'm also an old lady...") (Sobbing)
I remain petrified until Ena shakes my body so hard that I'm awake from my reverie. I then look at Ena's face again with a puzzled face.
"W-Wait a minute Ena-San... Do you know that S-Sei is the Tyrant Demon King who had lived a thousand year ago?"
Ena holds my hand tightly while looking directly into my face, about to say something. I remain silent while waiting for an answer from her.
"As a maid who has been serving Saoto-Sama for a long time, we were already aware of the arrival of his partner who he said was once Tyrant Demon King who had lived a thousand years ago. Although we didn't believe it at first, as soon as Ena saw Mahou, Ena knew that Mahou is indeed the Demon King Saoto-Sama mentioned about"
I'm surprised by hearing Ena's words. Apparently, the whole palace has found out about me even though I am not an important figure but rather a feared one who had been known as a cruel conqueror. I then surprised as soon as I get hugged tightly by the woman in front of me.
"Mahou, don't be sad. We trust Mahou as much as we trust Saoto-Sama. After all, Ena don't see Mahou as a threat to be alert-"
I somehow feel happy as soon as she comforts me but it changes right after the last part of her speech. In panic, I then shut her mouth before a big fight happens right here.
"E-Ena-San... Ena trusts Sei, right?"
I look deeply into Ena's face. Ena nods slowly to answer my doubt. For a moment, my cheeks redden as soon as I'm thinking of the reason that has made Saoto and I into the relationship we are now. I lower my gaze in awkwardness before saying it in a low tone.
"I-It's maybe because S-Sei and S-Saoto t-trust each other..." (Shy)
The woman in front of me falls silent for a while after hearing my answer. Embarrassed by my statement, I continue to look into the water before getting surprised by Ena who suddenly jumps while grabbing my chest unlike before, full of enthusiasm.
"Ouh, no wonder Saoto-Sama is really into Mahou. Mahou is a shy one and very cute when Mahou gets embarrassed"
"E-Ena... S-stop it. I-If Ena keeps grabbing it like that, S-Sei's body will start to feel w-weird"
Anxiously, I keep trying to release her grips that tightly placed on my chest. To be honest, I wonder how a single-person like her can be this aggressive even though she has never been in a romantic relationship with anyone before. In panic, I then respond to Ena's actions by touching her chest to teach her a lesson. Instead of showing a reaction like I do, her grip suddenly loosens while she falls silent as soon as I touch her. Filled with anxiety, I then immediately call her name as I'm worried that I've done something wrong to her.
"Ena? E-ENA?!!"
"Mahou... Does Mahou want to make fun of Ena because Mahou has bigger breasts than Ena?!!"
Ena then looks at me with a scary look.In panic, I then wave my hands repeatedly to deny what she said. For a moment, she raises her hand up high while moving each of her fingers with the intention of doing something to me. My body continues to tremble before we finally stop while looking at the figure who has just entered the bathroom.
"Ena-Sama, was Ena about to hug Mahou's body? Nita wants to join too, can I?"
I shed happy tears while holding my hands tightly in gratitude as soon as Nita comes to ease the tension. The anxious Ena then immediately lowers both of her hands before looking back at Nita while putting on a serious face.
"As a maid, we must respect Mahou Seinarin's wishes. Since Mahou doesn't seem to want to be hugged, we as maids must respect it"
Ena explains Nita about the discipline of a maid. I could only grin at Ena and her explanation since I don't feel that her intention earlier was to hug me. Seeing that the atmosphere has turned calm again, I look at Nita's face while reaching out my hand to invite her to join the bath together. As usual, her eyes water as soon as I invite her to join in.
"Eeh... Mahou herself invites Nita to join in a bath" (Sobbing)
I nod slowly while looking directly into her face with a smile. Actually, I am very grateful since because of her, I am now safe from someone's wrath. Nita then immediately wipes her eyes again before tightly welcoming the hand I extend to her. The three of us then take a bath while having a long conversation about various things. For a moment, the quiet atmosphere in the hot water pool gets filled with the sound of splashing water and laughter that are coming out from us.
----------------------------------------------------------
I lay on the bed that has been prepared for me. The bed is bigger and far more luxurious than my previous bed back in home. However, the quiet atmosphere continues to fill all corners of my room as Nita and Ena both leave me alone to sleep in their own rooms. I continue to sit on the bed while thinking about something.
("Every time I fall asleep, Saoto is always by my side...")
I slap my blushing cheeks as soon as I'm thinking of him. I don't think I would be so lonely just because there is no man to sleep with next to me. Even though the man is a man I just met recently, somehow deep down in my heart, there is an unfulfilled void when he's not around. To think again, Saoto is always by my side every time I fall asleep and I even sleep peacefully once in his arms. Somehow I can remember exactly how hoarse his voice is and how warm his body is. Filled with embarrassment, I then cover my entire body with a blanket with the intention to sleep and stop thinking about him for a moment. Hour after hour passes before I finally fall asleep after trying to calm myself down for a while. The quiet and cold night continues to fill the atmosphere of my room before I finally fall asleep on my bed.
----------------------------------------------------------
I woke up as soon as I saw a bright light that blinded my eyes. My legs and arms were chained and hung crosswise on a wall in a room that I didn't even know where it was. I was screaming for help as soon as I saw a man in a black robe walking across the room where I was hanged. I continued to call him while struggling to release my hanging body before the slow walking man left me alone in this quiet room.
"Saoto, Saoto..."
I screamed as loud as I could before I finally realized something. My voice seemed to be trapped inside my throat and did not want to come out even though I had shouted with all my might to call the person in front of me. However, my heart was a little relieved as soon as I saw the figure stopped as if he heard my heart screaming just now. I kept shedding happy tears before finally getting surprised to see the figure who was standing in front of me.
A demon with a wrinkled appearance took off the robe and was standing still in front of me while holding a knife in his hand. I kept struggling to release my chain while shivering in fear as soon as the man pointed the knife he was holding right at me. My tears flowed profusely as my body continued to force myself to break out from the chain. The figure then grinned at me who was trembling in fear.
Suddenly, the man charged towards me with his knife pointed right into my heart. In an instant, my breath became heavy followed by a continuous pain caused by the continuous stabbing done by the figure in front of me. Blood sprayed out of my entire body and some of it even got spurt out from my mouth. The man finally stopped after seeing my weak and helpless body lifeless before walking away, leaving me hanging in the room.
I, who was very weak forced myself to look at the scene in front of me. The previously clean floor and walls were now covered in my blood. I finally understood why my body became so weak right now. In that gripping atmosphere, my breath felt so heavy that my vision gradually blurred. Accompanied by a quiet atmosphere, my consciousness finally disappeared after I fought to keep myself awake for a while. I was hung weakly in a room that I didn't even know without anyone noticing or caring about me.
I immediately wake up and sit on my bed. Still frozen by what just happened, I quickly touch all over my body to make sure of the stab I just felt a moment ago. I finally breathe a sigh of relief after knowing that everything I just experienced is indeed a dream. I then look at the sky outside which is still dark behind the slightly opened window of my room and conclude that I get woken up from my sleep due to the very surreal dream. I then rub my chest again with a sense of relief before lying down on my bed again. Although I am still sleepy after what just happened, my sleepiness suddenly disappears as soon as I see the man next to me whose arms are tightly hugging my body when I fell asleep earlier.
("Sa-Saoto? W-Why is he in my room?") (Surprised)
I quickly lift up the blanket that covers me and his body before I get shocked by what I just witnessed with both of my eyes.
"EEP?!!"
Saoto lays next to me while only wearing his underwear without any shirt and pants on and keep hugging my body tightly while he is still asleep.