9th Corps Commander Trover had an extremely fun-loving personality. There was no need to dig deeper since he's a guy who even used up his magical power just for fun. He's that simple. For someone like that, the unique and interesting miscellaneous items collected by the Commander of the 5th Corps would suit his taste.
There's no way a simple, tactless guy wouldn't reach for something that catches his eye. He will most likely break things with his rough hands.
"I just don't want to do good things for the demons."
Deon laughed.
"It's only troublesome if another target of my revenge benefits from my revenge."
More accurately, it could be described as 'a race whose leader is another object of revenge', but that was not important at the time when he pushed the Empire to the brink of extinction and shook the human world in order to kill the Duke and the Emperor.
When the human world collapses, demons benefit. Deon had no intention of just watching that.
"It may be better to remain a 'disaster' rather than a 'traitor to humanity.'"
"Once you take the first step, there is no turning back. Are you confident you won't regret it?"
"... I don't think it's a question to ask about a topic that makes your eyes shine like that."
"Ah, Master's remarks were so charming."
Dan raised the corners of his mouth.
"But this is this and that is that, right?"
"Um... you know."
Deon picked up the flower pot and approached the window. He put down the strange plant in a familiar spot, stroked it once with his index finger, and then looked back at Dan.
The bright red eyes tilted with a sincere expression of puzzlement.
"When did I take a path I could turn back from?"
"..."
"Don't look at me like that. Because I feel dirty. Do you think it's just me? Everyone is like that. Originally, life itself can be seen as consisting of a series of irreversible choices. It's nothing new."
Deon looked at Dan, who was startled and raised his hand to trace his eyes, and added as if he were nailing it.
"And if I was going to regret it, I would have done it long ago. It's too late for that now, isn't it?"
Suddenly, the words the Emperor once said he had no regrets flashed through his mind.
... Yes, he was angry.
'I wonder if I didn't realize it because life is full of regrets.'
He didn't show it because the situation was so bad, but he was secretly shocked when he said it out loud. Those words were not just aimed at the Emperor.
The atmosphere became heavy. Dan, who had been listening quietly, noticed that Deon had closed his mouth and quietly spoke.
"As expected, Master seems crazy."
"I said no. Why does the story go like that?"
The negativity returned immediately.
Deon shook his head resolutely without looking at the floor.
A bitter smile appeared on his lips.
"Not yet."
... 'Not yet'?
Dan paused for a moment at the offensive word, but calmly continued walking.
"Well... I understand. Then I will go and carry out your orders right away."
"Before that, please call Dvelania."
"Yes."
***
In the beginning, not long after I found out the truth, I was definitely out of my mind. Did I feel like the time passing day by day felt heavy and I wished that time would stop?
But it didn't take long for me to realize it.
For the living, time passes in vain. No matter how much I cry and stop, time goes by as long as I live. My time and Cruel's time could not be the same.
Even the time I waste grieving only widens the gap between him and me. Since I couldn't die right away anyway, I had to move before it was too late.
I have to live and move, but the World is pulling my leash, so what can I do? Rather than being dragged along like a dog on a leash, I have no choice but to quickly reach the end of the road and be liberated.
"I heard you called me, Deon."
As soon as I could say permission to enter after the knock, Dvelania appeared in front of me and smiled softly.
I looked into those eyes for a moment, then closed my eyes and smiled. For a moment, her expression was colored with surprise.
"I heard that the Empire and Shanguk have renegotiated their alliance."
"Ah... ah, that's right. After reporting to the Demon King, I was planning to report to Deon immediately, but the Demon King called Deon first. So I put it off to report it until tomorrow... but you already heard it."
"..."
Are you saying it wasn't intentionally omitted?
The re-alliance of the Empire and Shanguk is not such a serious issue. In any case, it doesn't change the fact that the Empire is busy trying to get itself together. Even if they formed an alliance, it wouldn't be able to help them in any way, so it's strange that Shanguk re-allied... but the most important thing now is whether Dvelania intentionally omitted information.
I smoothed the corners of my mouth and lowered my hand and opened my mouth.
"Any other information?"
"Most of them have already been submitted on paper, so there is nothing in particular... Ah, you probably know that the situation is currently delayed due to the inability to breach the walls of Shanguk."
"Yes. Have you discovered any additional causes?"
"Yes, that was because of not only the resistance of Shanguk itself, but also the interference of the Revolutionary Army. I plan to organize this into documents and submit them soon."
"Damn Revolutionary Army."
A sound that clearly conveyed frustration rang out.
I cleared my emotions by rubbing my head and asked the question again.
"Have Shanguk and the Revolutionary Army formed an alliance?"
"No, I looked for it, but there was no evidence of any contact. Seeing as the movements were not in sync, it seemed like the Revolutionary Army was just helping itself."
"... It's also annoying."
I don't know how many more interruptions I'll have to suffer to get rid of it.
I want to get rid of it quickly, but is Sheia's whereabouts still unavailable? However, it may take a bit longer to find her alone, but it will be faster with two people than with one person.
I glanced at Dvelania for a moment, remembering the order I had given to Dan, but then quickly looked away.
Come to think of it, she already has enough work to do. Dan isn't an incompetent guy, so it wouldn't be a bad idea to wait a little longer.
"More than that, Deon, you didn't tie your hair today?"
"A little while ago... I was lying down and it bothered me so I took it off."
Her gaze was strangely busy, and it seemed like she was looking at my hair and face alternately. After becoming aware of it, I awkwardly massaged the stuffy back of my neck.
Dvelania quietly approached.
"If you're not going to lie down again, is it okay if I tie it up again?"
... Come to think of it, it's been a while since she brought any clothes, right?
It was frustrating to bring so many different clothes that I got tired of just looking at them, but then the situation changed and she couldn't do that. I nodded without much hesitation because I thought it wouldn't take that long and it would be better to let her satisfy her desire like this.
"But I left the string behind."
"Oh, it's okay. I also tie my hair up often, so I have extra strings."
Dvelania smiled brightly and gently waved the blue string she had taken out at some point.
***
After leaving Deon's room as if he had been kicked out, Ed walked without a destination. Even though he had paperwork to do, he just crossed the hallway aimlessly, as if he had no intention of going to the office.
Frustration. He felt a type of frustration that he had never experienced in his life and he had no idea what to do. His steps wandered around the Demon King's Castle as if he were wandering.
Then, he was caught by the Demon King on his way to the library.
"It doesn't seem like you have a particular destination, so what are you doing?"
"Ah, Demon King. It's nothing."
"..."
The Demon King's eyes narrowed.
Only then did Ed realize that his words might be taken to mean that there was no need to worry, so he quickly threw up his hand.
"That's not it. When I say it's nothing, it seems like it's nothing, but it's really nothing…"
"Stop."
"..."
The continued gibberish stopped. Ed closed his mouth and lowered his head with his back. The Demon King, who was looking at the top of his head with a knowing look, searched his chest and took out a piece of paper with the Demon King's seal on it.
Ed slightly raised his head at the appearance of the paper, which acts like a blank check in the human world, and his eyes widened. Blue eyes were as transparent as color, showing agitation.
"Due to the situation, I am busy, so I cannot give you a long time, but with the authority of the Demon King, I will give you about a day of vacation. It's okay to fill the day, and it's okay to return before that. This day is entirely yours."
"..."
"I'll give you this, so don't be tied up in the Demon King's Castle and go anywhere. The increase in monsters has made passage difficult, but it's not a problem for you, right? It wouldn't be a bad idea to visit any of the four cities."
"..."
"Won't you accept it?"
The paper fluttered. Only then did Ed politely extend his hand and take the paper. He didn't want to lose it, so he put it in his arms and checked it before bowing politely towards the Demon King.
"Thank you."
"Yes."
The Demon King turned his back without hesitation.
Ed, who was watching his retreating back, turned and headed for the stairs as soon as he disappeared from sight.
His mind was in a state of confusion due to the sudden vacation he was given.
He thought as he took the stairs and went down to the first floor.
'... There's no place I really want to go.'
However, since he received an order, he could not be in the Demon King's Castle.
The decision was quick.
'You asked me to go to any of the four cities, so it would be better to go to the first city closest to me.'
Once he decided on my destination, his walking speed increased. However, this soon had to stop again.
"Ed?"
When he heard a familiar voice, his head went up inadvertently and he lowered his head again after checking the other person.
Of course. A short sigh lingered in his mouth. Today, he's met by someone he didn't want to meet, but that doesn't mean he can't stop to say hello. A voice with a lower tone than usual came out slowly.
"... Hello, Commander of the 4th Corps."
"Yes, hi. It feels like it's been a while since I last saw you."
Idelia, the 4th Corps Commander, waved her fan and smiled softly.
"Why are you always in the office or Deon's room?"
"..."
"Now that I think about it, since Deon brought in that human, he only keeps that person by his side..."
It was a sly move, even though she already knew everything.
Well, she was the Commander of the 4th Corps who processes information like no one else.
Ed pursed his lips. A folded fan touched under his lowered chin.
The head raised following the movement of the fan and met Idelia's gaze. Reflected in his blue eyes, her eyebrows were arched as if she was sad.
"You've been abandoned. Deon is very heartless."
"... Don't speak carelessly."
"Oh my, you're talking about something big going on. Anyone who hears this will think I insulted Deon. I also respect and like Deon, right?"
This is sincerity without an ounce of lies. I just wanted Ed a little more.
Idelia opened her fan again and covered her mouth.
"I was just expressing sympathy for your situation."
"... I am grateful, but your sympathy was wrong."
Ed looked tired.
After Deon brought Dan and he was pushed out, the 4th Corps Commander began to secretly look at him.
She subtly expressed her favor and emphasized that she was good to her lieutenant. It was obvious that she was trying to drag him into a position as her deputy, so he stayed in his office under the pretext of organizing documents and avoided her, but he couldn't avoid her forever, so he ended up facing her like this.
Just what he's avoided so far has been amazing.
'She doesn't take that good care of her lieutenant... I know this because I personally saw a lieutenant dying while handling paperwork alone.'
Still, I'm glad she didn't suggest it outright...
"How about becoming my deputy?"
... No.
Finally, this moment came. Especially now.
Ed sighed. Idelia's voice continued.
"It just so happens that we have good capabilities."
"..."
"I kept quiet until now because you were Deon's property, but now it seems like Deon isn't interested either. If you say you want to move, he will probably let you go. I'm sure he won't think anything of it if he finds out I suggested it."
If it had been before, he would have been angry.
It was a cruelly light voice.
... Weird. Ed gently clenched the hand behind his back.
They say words have no form. Inside his chest... he felt like a wound kept forming near his heart.
He ignored the incomprehensible pain and opened his mouth.
"... I appreciate the offer, though."
A slightly cracked voice came out.
"I refuse."
"Well, I knew that would happen."
Unlike the heavy rejection, the answer was refreshing. Idelia folded her fan and smiled.
"If you change your mind later, let me know. You're always welcome."
"..."