Chapter 127

Chapter 127

“Punishment…?”

At Nahun’s question, Seere lightly nodded her head.

“Yes, a punishment. It wouldn’t be fun otherwise, right?”

“That may be true…”

The word ‘punishment’ made Nahun a bit anxious. He couldn’t even imagine what this child might demand.

‘Still…, she has been quite well-behaved recently, hasn’t she?’

Considering the recent attitude Seere had shown, he thought she wouldn’t go too far.

After some deliberation, Nahun nodded.

“Alright, we’ll do it your way.”

“For the punishment, let’s have each person do something that they want from the other.”

“Got it.”

Nahun had already thought of a punishment.

‘How about swinging a sword ten thousand times a day… or something like that?’

Nahun was thinking of something that would scare Seere if she heard it. Swinging the sword ten thousand times wasn’t difficult, but how would he manage his work during that time?

“Well then, it’s now the teacher’s turn to ask questions!”

“Right…”

What to ask? In a game like this, knowing the other person well was an advantage. You could throw questions based on keywords that applied to them.

And Nahun was one of those who knew Seere better than anyone else. If he only asked things he knew, it might make the game less interesting, but he felt he needed to win simply due to the anxiety of the punishment Seere would impose.

If Seere knew he was asking based on what he already knew, she would likely only ask about things she knew as well. This would naturally put Seere, who had the first move, at an advantage…

‘I may not have been taught by Seere, but I will speak based on what I know.’

Even without Seere educating him, Nahun decided to speak on information he was already aware of.

“The person who secretly stole pudding while the chef wasn’t looking.”

“…How do you know that, Teacher?”

“Not sure.”

When Seere was around 8 or 9 years old, she couldn’t control her growing appetite during her growth spurt. She would always search for snacks whenever she had time, even after finishing her meals.

And it was the same even in the early mornings or late at night. Nahun quietly watched the Demon Lord sneak down to the kitchen to steal the pudding that Mark had made, thinking how cute it was.

‘How could they not notice someone so lively wandering around?’

Worried she might go to dangerous places, he had followed her, but Seere would only go down to the kitchen to search for snacks.

Such cute times had existed. Remembering those days, Nahun let out a small smile.

“Are you folding?”

“…Kuh!”

Seere folded her finger. Sensing that he had seen everything, she turned slightly red in embarrassment.

“It’s my question now!”

“Sure, go ahead.”

“While at Devata Castle, have you ever thought someone was pretty, yes or no?”

“Yes.”

It was an immediate answer. Seere was surprised, while Nahun looked at her as if to say, ‘What’s surprising about that?’

“Really?”

“Isn’t it obvious? There are many attractive people in Devata Castle. There’s Rea, Cecili, and even Lin and Celestia the leader. There are also many handsome people among the vice leaders.”

“…Ah.”

Nahun chuckled internally. Seere was probably trying to ask if she ever thought she was pretty, but feeling shy, she turned it around a bit.

Of course, had she asked directly, the answer would have still been ‘yes.’

‘Even objectively speaking, this child’s appearance stands out the most.’

Even when trying to find flaws that pretty people typically have, he felt there was not even a single place to criticize. Nahun spoke to Seere, who seemed slightly disappointed.

“The questioning is finished, right?”

“Yes…”

“Then it’s my turn.”

Nahun asked her a question.

“Over the last eight years, did you ever think it would be fine for the Demon King Castle to run without me?”

At Nahun’s question, Seere’s eyes went wide. Then she slightly frowned and answered in a somewhat raised voice.

“…I never thought that!”

“Be honest.”

“I really didn’t.”

Seere was adamant. Seeing her like that, Nahun felt a mix of happiness and slight disappointment. The happiness was from knowing she still needed him, and the disappointment was that she hadn’t answered honestly.

‘Even without me, the Demon King Castle would run just fine.’

Thus, during those eight years, Seere’s power must have developed further. Even if there was a foundation laid by Nahun, it would have been impossible if she hadn’t utilized it properly.

Of course, since Seere told him she needed him, Nahun decided not to dwell on it.

“Alright, so you don’t have to fold.”

“…Then it’s my question.”

“Go ahead.”

Seere seemed to consider what questions to ask. Struggling to gain information about Nahun that she didn’t know, he could hear her brain working hard.

“Teacher.”

“Yeah?”

“Honestly, you liked it when I crossed my arms, right?”

“……”

As soon as Nahun heard that question, he thought.

‘…I really must not lose.’

He couldn’t even gauge what exactly to demand as a punishment. Nahun desperately shook his head.

“No.”

“T-That’s a lie! Don’t guys like women’s chests?!”

“It’s not a lie. Not even once have I thought that.”

Nahun reasoned in his mind. Since Seere had just lied a moment ago, he figured he could do it just once too. It was sneaky, but then, if Seere hadn’t lied first, it wouldn’t have happened.

Seere, unable to tell whether Nahun’s expression was genuine or a performance, sulked slightly and muttered.

“I worked so hard on my chest…”

“…….”

It felt strange to hear her say ‘worked hard on’ it, as if it were a crop. Of course, in this world, that was indeed possible…

“Ahem, I’m back to square one.”

“Yes….”

If she failed the question now, it would put Nahun at a disadvantage again. Even though it seemed likely Seere would answer truthfully, it was still information she hadn’t shared before…

“Do you still sleep with your doll these days?”

Seere’s room was still filled with dolls. Most of them had been bought by Nahun when she was younger. Facing Nahun’s question, Seere seemed slightly embarrassed, lowering her head a bit as she replied.

“…Yes.”

“Haha.”

“W-Well, they were given to me by you, Teacher, so I can’t throw them away!”

“I didn’t give them to you to keep as lifelong treasures…”

“They’re treasures for life!”

Nahun felt happy to hear her think that way. While he had other questions in mind, he avoided those that could lead to an atmosphere she might desire.

Serious questions were also the same. As a result, only the light-hearted questions remained.

But Seere was different. With one last opportunity, she showed no hesitation. Seere opened her mouth.

“Teacher, honestly, I…”

“Hmm?”

“…Wait a minute.”

However, just as Seere was about to say something, she closed her mouth again. She then slightly changed her question and asked again.

“Teacher.”

“Yes?”

“You said you wouldn’t leave me no matter what happened, but you would actually leave, right?”

Nahun’s eyes widened for a moment before he slowly closed them. After a moment, he shook his head.

“I will not leave.”

“…!”

Seere understood. The look on Nahun’s face and his eyes were not lies, but the truth.

“If that’s what you want, I will stay by your side and not leave.”

“Really? I’ll remember that!”

“Right.”

“You can’t go back on that promise!!”

“Wow, my trust seems to be quite low now. Even after giving you such a definite answer, you still doubt me?”

“W-Well, you did leave your position for eight years…”

Nahun simply lifted the corners of his mouth and gently patted Seere’s hair.

“I know I’ve made you anxious. But at least until you wish for it, I’ll always be by your side, so don’t worry.”

“Yes!”

Seere was beaming, just like before. Seeing her like that, Nahun folded a finger and said.

“Now it’s my turn.”

One last question remained. Nahun had just answered ‘no’ to the earlier question, and this had validated his truth. Thus, if Seere answered this question, it would end with her loss.

Nahun hesitated to ask such a question, but since it had to be addressed delicately, he inquired with caution.

“Is there really no other guy you’re interested in besides me?”

“No.”

An immediate response. Nahun broke out in a cold sweat, and Seere folded her finger. It was somewhat anticlimactic, but the game ended in Nahun’s victory.

Yet Seere was smiling. It was obvious that she had at least gotten the answers she wanted. Nahun looked at her in astonishment.

‘There’s no hesitation at all… What should I do about this…’

It seemed exceptionally difficult to make Seere give up. Seere leaned closer to the flustered Nahun and whispered in his ear.

“I think you are the best in the world, Teacher.”

“……”

“I’ll accept any punishment. ‘Anything’.”

Seeing Nahun, who had gone stiff as a board, Seere chuckled lightly and turned away. Then she simply left with a few parting words.

“Oh, I’ll let you off for lying to me. I think we both managed to lie to each other at least once.”

“!?”

He already knew. After Seere left the room, Nahun was left alone and wiped his eyes with his hand.

“Haa…”

#

“Are you leaving?”

“Yes, thank you for everything during my stay.”

At the entrance of Jepar Castle stood Jepar, the lord of the castle, Lezargie the demon king of the Equites faction, and Barbatos von Eishval, the leader of the faction.

They were there to see off Seere and Nahun as they prepared to leave. While they were being seen off, Cecili took a step back and waited.

Barbatos looked at Nahun and said.

“What a pity, I wanted to face you just one more time…”

“Older brother, if we fought again now, you would end up dead.”

“Dead? I’m not that frail. If I die from just that, it’s only a consequence of weakness.”

“I’ll face you again when I get the chance.”

“Oh, really?! I’ll remember that clearly!”

“Um, but don’t just fight your older brother, let me too…”

“Lezargie, it’s my turn next.”

“Who do you think you are, butting in like that?”

Nahun smiled lightly. Although they were only people who knew strength, it was, in a way, more comfortable to deal with them. Their temperament meant they wouldn’t do anything shady from behind.

Seere also bowed her head in greeting.

“Thank you for the sparring sessions, Jepar.”

“Hm, sparring with you was enjoyable. I hope you learned a lot from our matches.”

“What would I learn from sparring with someone who knows only brute strength? Seere, you should spar with me next time.”

“Lezargie….”

“Wouldn’t it be good if that happens?”

Nahun bowed slightly and said.

“Well then, I’ll take my leave. Please head inside quickly.”

“Right, take care.”

“Yes.”

“Take care, everyone.”

Watching Seere say such words to demon kings, who seemed to have the least relation with illness, the three demon kings chuckled lightly.

“Right! Let that be etched in your heart!”

“Take care, yourself too.”

“See you at the Demon World General Assembly.”

Thus ended Nahun and Seere’s first meeting with the powerful demon kings. As for the next time they met at the Demon World General Assembly, what kind of appearances would they show?

With that anticipation, Nahun parted ways with them.

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