■ Demon Tribe and Elves □
After explaining the situation to Ozma, I briefly stopped by the finance management office to pack my things.
“Would you like some help?”
“No, it’s fine. You’re busy, so go ahead with your work.”
Since I was cramming all my belongings accumulated over two and a half years into a single box, it felt as if I were resigning from the company.
Moreover, the finance management department was one I personally took care of from start to finish.
From the items in the desk drawers to those on top of the desk, I packed everything into the box. Finally, I placed the foot massager that had been with me for two years into the box as well.
It’s too precious to throw away, so I plan to put it in the study at home.
“Are you done?”
“Hmm.”
In response to Gabriel’s somewhat bored inquiry, I lifted the box with both hands.
It was fairly heavy, but for me now, this weight is like carrying a feather.
As I was about to leave with my belongings, Aness, who had been seated at her desk handling paperwork, stood up.
“Everyone, please pay attention!”
Instantly, the finance management office fell silent.
“Senior Financial Officer Partarth will be leaving the finance management office starting today. If there are any final words, please speak now.”
Voices from the staff began to echo around the room.
“Don’t go,” “Where are you going?” “Are you leaving forever?” and such.
It seems I did better in social life than I thought, given how thoroughly they showered me with compliments.
With a slightly choked-up heart, I sniffled while trying to appear cool on the outside as I addressed the staff.
“Thank you all for working hard under me. This isn’t a permanent goodbye, so don’t worry. I’ll come back sometime.”
At that, everyone applauded, saying their farewells.
“I’ll escort you.”
Following Aness’ small frame, I left the finance management office.
“You’ve worked hard. I’ll manage the finance department well.”
“That’s good. You’ll do great, Aness.”
After saying that, just as I was about to leave the finance office without any regrets, something came to mind.
“Aness, could I ask you one last favor?”
“Yes, what is it?”
Though it ruins the touching atmosphere, I apologize,
“Please investigate a guy named Baron Dornel.”
We need to deal with that guy who illegally collected taxes in our hometown.
Having completely wrapped up my duties at the Governor’s Office, I returned home.
Only Ozma and I knew about this matter so far, which meant I also had to inform the other housemates about my return.
Fortunately, Barnett, Dorothea, Camilla, and Sophia were all at home, so there was no need to gather them separately.
Upon hearing that I was returning to the Demon King’s Castle, Dorothea immediately raised her hand and said,
“Then I’m coming with you.”
“What?”
“Anyway, I’m living here because of you. Without you, staying here has no meaning. So, I’m coming along.”
Dorothea declared this obstinately.
I pondered how to resolve this troublesome situation and glanced at Gabriel.
But Gabriel seemed to think Dorothea’s idea wasn’t bad.
“It’s not a bad idea. A former member of the Four Heavenly Kings would be an excellent addition to our forces.”
Hearing Gabriel say this, Dorothea tilted her head and asked,
“Who are you? I’ve never seen your face before.”
“I am Gabriel, who succeeded you after your retirement as one of the new Four Heavenly Kings of the Demon King’s Army. I also rule Dragon Mountain as the Demon Dragon Lord.”
Gabriel smiled warmly as he introduced himself, causing Dorothea to respond with a nonchalant expression, muttering, “Hmm~”
Given the turn of events, I couldn’t help but ask anxiously,
“Is it okay for a retired person to rejoin the battlefield?”
“If it’s one’s own resources, there’s no problem. Moreover, a former member of the Demon King’s Four Heavenly Kings is practically a reserve force.”
“…”
There was no flaw in her logic, so I couldn’t argue against her.
Besides, even if I said no, Dorothea would have followed me anyway.
Once it was decided that Dorothea and I would go to the Demon King’s Castle, Camilla quietly raised her hand.
“I will go as well.”
“Camilla?!”
“I am already Partarth’s personal maid. Wherever Partarth is, that’s where I belong.”
“I agree with Mistress’s statement.”
Sophia, who had been continuously hypnotized into serving me as her master, also raised her hand and spoke accordingly.
This left only Barnett, who surprisingly shook her head.
“I can’t come. While I love you, Partarth, guarding Ozma is my original duty.”
“I understand. And since we can’t leave Ozma alone, I would have dissuaded you if you’d insisted on coming.”
Thus, the people going to the Demon King’s Castle were decided.
Ozma and Barnett would stay in Oz, while the rest would go to the Demon King’s Castle with Gabriel.
“Decided then. Shall we head to the Demon King’s Castle right away without wasting time?”
While Gabriel crossed his arms and asked this, unfortunately, I had many things to pack.
After all, a mage is stronger with tools than bare-handed.
I should bring the Orichalcum Quarter Staff that I specially ordered at great expense.
“Relax and enjoy some tea while waiting. I’ll be down quickly after packing.”
At that, Gabriel sighed deeply and nodded.
“Alright. Since I’ve waited this long, waiting a little more won’t make much difference.”
I gathered the Quarter Staff, various reagents, and the grimoire borrowed from my Master in my room.
To be precise, it’s the secret manual ‘Wind Devil Arts’ compiled based on my Master’s enlightenment.
Although I’ve made most of the content in this book my own over nearly two years, I still haven’t mastered the ultimate technique.
I planned to use it for continuous practice whenever I have spare time.
After fully equipping myself, draping the green robe symbolic of the Emerald Tower over my upper body completes my preparation for going out.
When I canceled the Polymorph magic that created fake beards and wrinkles for disguise, my original clean face appeared in the mirror.
“Alright. Let’s go.”
After thoroughly securing the lab door, which I won’t be entering for a while, I went back downstairs.
Gabriel, who seemed to still be drinking tea, widened his eyes slightly and said,
“You finished faster than expected.”
“Ten minutes is enough to change clothes.”
In a war zone where time is urgent, literally, time is money.
Anyway, after confirming that my preparations were complete, Gabriel set down the teacup and said,
“The tea was good. Dullahan, you’re skilled at making tea.”
“Thank you, Demon Dragon Lord.”
“Then, let’s depart.”
Gabriel pointed toward the yard and said this, and I left a final message for Barnett.
“Tell Ozma when she comes back. Say I’ll return safely.”
“Understood.”
“And take care, Barnett.”
I lightly kissed Barnett on the lips, then headed to the yard with the others.[[#]]Gabriel’s flying speed was incredibly fast.
If he determined to fly, his maximum speed almost reached the speed of sound, so we arrived at the Demon King’s Castle, which was hundreds of kilometers away, in just an hour.
Apparently, this was after adjusting the speed because we were riding on his back.
“Ugh, I feel like I’m going to throw up.”
That was Dorothea’s first comment upon stepping on the ground.
And I felt the same way—my stomach was churning, so I couldn’t open my mouth.
Riding on Gabriel’s back felt like being on a roller coaster without safety bars.
Even though I knew it was safe in my mind, riding a dragon flying at hundreds of kilometers per hour without any safety equipment required exceptional courage and patience.
Surprisingly, among the four of us, Camilla seemed the least affected.
She must naturally be immune to motion sickness.
“Hehehe! I specially adjusted the flight for comfort, yet you ended up like this—aren’t you too weak?”
After transforming back from Flying Tyranno form to human shape, Gabriel patted my back while saying this.
“Oh? Ow?”
It should hurt normally, but somehow it feels better when he hits my back.
“Could you hit a bit harder?”
“? Is that your preference?”
Gabriel seems to have misunderstood something, but afterward, he continued to pat my back without further comments.
Anyway, that helped completely relieve my motion sickness, allowing me to take in the familiar view of the Demon King’s Castle, which I hadn’t visited in a long time.
Nothing has changed much since two years ago.
It feels nostalgic to some extent.
“Let’s move soon. The Demon King might be waiting.”
“Right.”
I readily nodded at Camilla’s suggestion. Sophia and Dorothea, who were seeing the Demon King’s Castle for the first time as former heroes, curiously looked around as we headed toward the Demon King’s study together with Gabriel.[[#]]”The Demon King has granted an audience.”
Seneca, the long-time butler of the Demon King’s Castle, bowed respectfully as he greeted us.
Creak!
As we stepped beyond the large doors opening to either side, the Demon King sat majestically behind the desk in the study, just as dignified as ever.
He slightly raised his gaze, put down the document he was holding, and said,
“Welcome back, Partarth.”
Naturally, I knelt on one knee and paid respects as a vassal.
“Your loyal servant Partarth, returning from Colony Oz.”
“Ah, ah, you must be tired from the long journey. Sit down first.”
I accepted the Demon King’s invitation and sat on the sofa.
Gabriel, who brought me here, also naturally sat beside me.
“…Can you sit a bit further away?”
“I prefer sitting next to you.”
Looking at Gabriel, who stubbornly sat close despite the ample space available, I stared at him incredulously. Then, the Demon King across from us cleared his throat and spoke,
“Let’s get straight to the point. The real reason why I called you back to the Demon King’s Castle at this timing.”
“Yes, Your Majesty, please speak.”
The Demon King interlaced his fingers and said seriously,
“Not long ago, the elves beyond the Great Forest declared war on our Demon Tribe Alliance.”
