Kays Translations

Chapter 122: Talking with Demon Lord Rukie

“First, try opening that box.”

Rukie said in a firm voice.

This was the main hall of General Raisenga’s mansion.

She wore a mask and robe and sat in the chair with all the dignity of the Demon Lord.

In other words, she was speaking as the ruler of the Demon Lord’s Domain right now.

I needed to be properly respectful as well.

“Excuse me, Your Majesty.”

I placed my hand on the box resting on the floor of the hall.

It was a wooden box.

The emblem of the Demon Lord’s Domain was embossed on its surface.

Just from that, I could tell it was something important.

Moreover, it seemed quite old.

The stones used in the decoration were chipped, and it was covered in dust.

I felt an urge to restore it… but now wasn’t the time for that.

Raising my face suddenly, I saw Rukie looking tense.

Because she was wearing the Perception-Blocking Mask, I couldn’t read her expression.

But the hands gripping the armrests trembled slightly. She repeatedly looked toward Mabel and me, then lowered her gaze.

Is Rukie worried about this item?

Or maybe—

“Your Majesty, before that, may I ask about the engagement…?”

“Opening the box comes first, Thor.”

“…Understood.”

I placed my hand on the old box.

The lid creaked as I pushed it open.

The inside of the box was clean.

A cloth lined the bottom, and it hadn’t deteriorated much.

In the center lay something wrapped multiple times in cloth.

It looked to be something quite precious.

Was this what Rukie wanted to show me? Could it be fragile?

I considered that carefully as I began unwrapping the cloth.

And what appeared from inside was—

“This is… a magic stone?”

Immediately, I activated ‘Identification Grasp’.

The information that appeared was—

──────────────────

‘Rainbow-Colored Magic Stone’

A semitransparent magic stone that cycles through seven colors over time.

The colors it shifts through are white, black, yellow, blue, red, green, and transparent.

Although called a “magic stone,” it’s as soft as clay and can be divided for use.

It’s very precious.

Attributes: All attributes—light, dark, earth, water, fire, and wind.

──────────────────

“…Amazing.”

That was the only word I could say.

What was this?

A magic stone with all attributes… such a thing actually exists?

This must be an extremely rare treasure.

Normally, it would be priceless.

My hand began to tremble. Any alchemist would have reacted the same way.

It was the stuff of dreams—a material that could be used in any item.

But—

“Isn’t this a secret treasure of the Demon Lord’s Domain?”

“More than a treasure, it was an item kept hidden away and never used. It was too precious, and no one knew how to handle it properly.”

Rukie said that with a shrug.

“For ordinary items, it’s cheaper to use separate magic stones for each attribute. Furthermore, no caster in the Demon Lord’s Domain has ever been able to make full use of the Rainbow-Colored Magic Stone. So it remained unused, stored deep in the treasure vault.”

“I see.”

“The Demon Lord two generations ago had a hobby of collecting junk, but sometimes found valuable things. Those are kept in the vault. This is one of those.”

“That Demon Lord also got the ‘Mail-Order Catalog,’ right?”

“That’s right. He was an interesting sort of person in many ways.”

“I would have liked to meet him.”

“Fufu. I thought you would say that… No, no, that’s not the point! We’ll talk about the previous Demon Lord later!”

Rukie shook her head under the mask.

“In any case, I’ll give this Rainbow-Colored Magic Stone to you and Mabel as an engagement gift. With it, you should be able to create items that will protect Mabel.”

“That’s true. But this material is far too precious—”

“I see. Then something else.”

“—It’s too precious for me to accept all of it. One-third… no, three-fifths should be enough.”

“Do as you like.”

Rukie let out a dry chuckle.

“Since it’s like clay, you may divide it as you please. Use the remainder another time to create items for the Demon Lord’s Domain.”

“Understood. Then, I gratefully accept.”

I bowed my head toward Rukie.

“Thank you very much, Your Majesty. I’ll use this material to make items to protect my family.”

“…Hmm.”

“By the way, Your Majesty—”

“What is it?”

“Actually, there’s something I want to say to you.”

“Something you want to say?”

“Yes. There’s something I absolutely must tell Your Majesty, who has given me such a precious gift.”

Only Mabel, Rukie, and I were in the hall.

The guards were in the corridor, but at a distance.

The conversation here couldn’t be overheard by anyone else.

I thought it was just the right place for a secret talk.

“If Your Majesty takes offense, I’m prepared to accept any punishment. May I speak?”

“…Thor-sama?”

“Could it be a remonstrance?”

“No. It concerns the engagement between Mabel and me that Rukie-sama mentioned earlier.”

I spoke.

For a moment, Rukie seemed frozen.

Then, as if nothing had happened, she nodded.

Mabel looked at me with a surprised expression.

I had some idea why Rukie had brought up my engagement to Mabel at that moment.

There had been a temporary engagement arrangement between Mabel and me before.

Wasn’t that when I was going to have a meeting with Princess Sophia?

The subject had come up so I wouldn’t be recruited by the Empire.

I suspected the same subject had arisen this time because of Mabel’s connection to the House of Marquis Misra.

The likely purpose is to protect Mabel.

So, the engagement itself is fine.

But since the topic came up, there are things I should properly tell Rukie.

“…I see. It concerns your engagement with Mabel, does it not?”

Rukie tapped the armrest of her chair thoughtfully.

“I intend to explain the engagement later, but you have something to say to me before that, right?”

“Yes. I absolutely do.”

“Your engagement with Mabel is also by my order. You have no complaints, do you?”

“None at all.”

“Then that’s good. Let’s hear what Thor has to say.”

“Thank you very much.”

“I don’t mind. I make it a point to listen to my subjects’ words.”

“Then I’ll say it. This may be presumptuous, but…”

I remained kneeling on the floor and looked up at Rukie’s face.

I couldn’t read her expression.

If it were her usual face without the mask, like when having tea, that would be nice.

I like how Rukie’s expression changes constantly.

Looking at Rukie like that, I took a deep breath and spoke.

“I consider Demon Lord Rukie Evergard family.”

For a while, there was silence.

Neither Rukie nor Mabel said anything.

No, that’s not right. Mabel kept her head down and covered her mouth.

She seemed to be desperately holding back words about to spill out.

Rukie… yeah. She was stiff.

Clutching the armrest of her chair, she leaned toward me.

She looked surprised.

Maybe this wasn’t the right timing to say it.

But the words were out. I’ll say them till the end.

“Earlier, I told Mabel, ‘Mabel is important to me, and I consider her family.’ Since our engagement has now been decided, I wanted to tell Your Majesty the same thing.”

Somehow, I just felt it was better this way.

Before our engagement became an official matter for the Demon Lord’s Domain, I wanted to tell Rukie properly.

“When I lived in the Empire, there was no one I could call family. My mother died when I was young, and my father—as Your Majesty knows—is that kind of man. My grandfather was a drunkard who cared nothing for his grandchildren. I had no family in the imperial capital.”

I continued my explanation.

“But after I came to the Demon Lord’s Domain, I met Mabel. Your Majesty—no, Rukie-sama—employed me as an alchemist. After a minor accident, I learned your true identity, and from then on, I began sharing tea with you. You also joined me in testing magic items and researching the Heroes’ world.”

After saying that, I took a breath.

“That time became very important to me.”

“──!?”

I felt like Rukie’s eyes widened.

Recently, I had begun to read the expressions hidden behind the Perception-Blocking Mask—at least a little.

Of course, it might just be my imagination.

“Earlier, Rukie-sama said, ‘Thor and Mabel are engaged.’ I understand what that means. Mabel and I were temporarily engaged once before. This time, it’s a measure to protect her, isn’t it?”

“…Y-yes.”

“I’m grateful that you devised a way to protect Mabel, who’s precious to me and whom I consider family.”

I bowed my head to Rukie again.

“I feel the same way. Mabel is precious to me, and I consider her family. I’m deeply grateful that Rukie-sama thought of a way to protect her. So…”

Ah, this is bad.

I’m embarrassed and can’t look at Rukie’s face.

I should have made a Perception-Blocking Mask for myself—no, that wouldn’t have helped.

If I wore the ‘Perception-Blocking’ mask every time I say something embarrassing, the mask would become a sign that ‘I’m about to say something embarrassing.’

That means… I’d need a mask for embarrassing moments and a regular mask… No, I’m confused.

I wasn’t accustomed to saying things like this.

It seemed I was quite nervous too.

“A-anyway, I just wanted to say that Rukie-sama is also important to me and like family. That’s all.”

I had actually planned to look up “Words to Say to Someone You Want to Become Family With—Heroes’ World Edition” first.

But from Rukie’s mouth—when I heard that I would officially be engaged to Mabel—it somehow felt like I needed to hurry.

Even I don’t really understand it.

Well… anyway, what’s said is said.

I’ll wait for Rukie’s judgment.

I had just said that the ruler of the Demon Lord’s Domain was like family to me.

Punishment—no, with Rukie, that probably won’t happen.

Other punishments… maybe a temporary ban on alchemy?

I’d really like to be spared that…

“Rukie-sama—no, Your Majesty the Demon Lord.”

No response.

“As I said earlier, I’m prepared to accept punishment for my rudeness.”

No answer.

“I won’t argue against any punishment.”

Silence.

“Um… could this possibly mean ‘I’ll give a ruling later’? If so, then I’ll excuse myself for now.”

“…You aren’t allowed to leave this place.”

Rukie finally said just that.

“Don’t move from there.”

“Yes.”

“Wait one minute. Thor and Mabel, stay as you are.”

“Understood.”

The next minute felt very long.

Rukie rose from the chair, spun around, and sat back down with her back to us, hugging the chair’s backrest.

The robe on her back trembled slightly up and down.

In the quiet hall, only Rukie’s breathing echoed.

By my count, she calmed down after about three hundred seconds—roughly five minutes.

But this was the Demon Lord’s Domain, ruled by the Demon Lord.

When the Demon Lord says one minute, whether it’s five minutes or a hundred minutes, it means one minute.

So I stopped counting after 360.

Then, when Rukie’s back seemed settled—

“…Good grief.”

I heard Demon Lord Rukie sigh.

Clang.

The Perception-Blocking Mask fell to the floor.

Next, the robe also fell onto the floor.

Then Rukie turned around and looked at me.

There stood the usual Rukie, having removed the mask and robe.

A daring smile appeared, but her gaze wandered.

Still, she didn’t seem angry.

“Alchemist Thor Canaan, you understand the significance of you becoming engaged to Mabel, don’t you?”

“I understand.”

Of course, I understood.

Rukie wouldn’t say something like this without meaning it.

“Mabel may be a descendant of the lost House of Marquis Misra. If the Empire discovers that, it’ll want both Mabel and the Water Spirit Stone Pendant. Making her my fiancée is an effective way to prevent that… That’s what Your Majesty and the Chancellor concluded, correct?”

“And what’s the political significance of your being her fiancé?”

“Is there any meaning besides that I consider Mabel an important person and family?”

“Hmm. It’s a political meaning.”

“Because the Empire knows about my existence, right?”

“Because the Empire knows I exist, right?”

“But Demon Lord, Your Majesty treats me as a guest.”

“Not only me. Archduke Kharon and the twin princesses of the Empire also regard you as important. If you take a woman from the Demon Lord’s Domain as a concubine, that information will reach the Empire. What do you think will happen then?”

“The Empire will have to lie.”

“What kind of lie do you think?”

“They’ll claim that the Empire sent me to the Demon Lord’s Domain from the beginning as a messenger—or as a guest.”

That will probably be the case.

The Empire could no longer treat an alchemist serving the Demon Lord and engaged to someone from the Demon Lord’s Domain as a hostage or sacrifice.

The Empire will pretend they never sent me as a hostage.

Whether they called it a misunderstanding or a communication error, or blamed my father—Valga Regus—for acting on his own, I didn’t know. In any case, they would insist I had been a messenger or guest from the start.

The Empire cares a lot about face and appearances.

“Exactly. I considered all of that before deciding to engage you to Mabel. If the Empire changes how it treats Thor, relations between the Empire and the Demon Lord’s Domain will change as well. The Empire will find it difficult to interfere with a domain sheltering a guest it officially sent… I ended up thinking that far ahead.”

Rukie narrowed her eyes and gave a sarcastic smile.

“I’m a ruler. I must consider the country as a whole. Besides protecting you and Mabel, I also considered relations between nations. Perhaps I viewed the people precious to me through a political lens…”

“I don’t think you need to worry about that.”

“…What?”

“Because Rukie-sama was angry for me before.”

It was when my father and Margrave Garua tried to use me.

They tried to smuggle silver to General Raisenga and pin the blame on me.

When Rukie found out, she cried—and got really angry.

That parents would use their child like that’s unthinkable.

So—

“I know that Rukie-sama is that kind of person. So even if you sometimes see me from a political perspective, I don’t mind. Besides, I think Rukie-sama considered my position when deciding on this matter.”

“…!”

“If Mabel and I become engaged and the Empire reclassifies me as ‘a guest sent to the Demon Lord’s Domain,’ it’ll become much harder for the Empire to use me as my father did. The engagement protects me too, doesn’t it?”

“…Ugh.”

“And… there’s something Rukie-sama hasn’t said yet.”

I looked at Rukie and Mabel and gave them a smile.

“If news of the engagement reaches the Empire and I become ‘the guest sent by the Empire to the Demon Lord’s Domain,’ then everyone who tried to use me as a scapegoat or hostage will be utterly humiliated.”

“…Ah.”

Mabel widened her eyes.

It seemed like she understood what I was trying to say.

“My father, the steward of House Regus, the captain of the guard, and even the soldiers who dragged me to the Demon Lord’s Domain… all of them will have to cry ‘Gah!’—as they say in the Heroes’ world. There’s no way Rukie-sama failed to realize that, is there?”

“I-I understand. Rukie-sama was… very angry at the people who treated you badly, after all…”

Mabel nodded vigorously.

I continued.

“Then there’s Princess Sophia. If she abandons the Empire and comes to the Demon Lord’s Domain—and if she becomes my concubine—then it would be more convenient for her if I were regarded as an official guest from the Empire. She would be joining someone the Empire recognizes.”

“Her Majesty thought that far ahead!?”

“Of course. It’s Rukie-sama, after all.”

“Y-You’re right…”

“Rukie-sama may sometimes view me politically because she’s the Demon Lord. But she also thinks carefully about me and the people around me… I know she does.”

I returned to a normal tone of voice and looked straight at Rukie.

“That’s why I wanted to call you family, Rukie-sama.”

“…Grrnnnh.”

Under our combined gaze, Rukie flinched.

She narrowed her red eyes and glared at me.

“If that reasoning is correct… then what do you plan to do from here on out?”

“I’ll use the Rainbow-Colored Magic Stone to craft three items: one to protect Mabel, one to protect Rukie-sama, and one for myself.”

“…That’s unusual. For you to make an item to protect yourself.”

“I don’t want to make my family worry.”

“──!?”

“…It’s embarrassing, so that’s all I’ll say.”

I ended the conversation there.

To be honest, it was incredibly embarrassing.

I had said a lot about myself and about Rukie.

But I conveyed everything I wanted to say.

Now it was just a matter of how Rukie would take it…

“…………”

Once again, Rukie fell silent.

But her expression was changing.

She squeezed her eyes shut, bit her lip, exhaled, and then—

“Aaahhh, fine! I give up!!”

Rukie shook her head, her golden hair swaying as she shouted.

“With this engagement between Mabel and you, I’ve been thinking and worrying about all sorts of things! But thanks to what you said, all those thoughts and worries vanished. I’ve decided—I’ll stop thinking about it!”

And then Rukie took a deep breath and said:

“I admit it. I think of you as family too, Thor—someone more important than anyone else, someone I want beside me. I made all sorts of excuses, but it’s true that I wanted to improve your position in the Empire. It’s also true that I wanted to make the people who mistreated you cry ‘Gah!’—just as you said!”

With a clatter, Rukie stood up from her chair.

Clicking her heels, she came to stand before me.

“But I’m the Demon Lord. I may not always be able to put you first.”

She took my hand and spoke.

“To rule this land, there will be times I can’t make time to see you. Is that all right?”

“Of course. In fact, I plan to make tons of magic items to make your work easier, Rukie-sama.”

“Isn’t that partly because it’s your hobby?”

“A little bit, yeah.”

“Fine… but don’t overdo it.”

Rukie let out a sigh.

Then, with her free hand, she ran her fingers through her golden hair.

“You really are a troublesome one. Just how much do you intend to stir people’s hearts!?”

“My apologies.”

“But I understand now. You’re family to me. When the three of us are together, treat Mabel and me equally.”

“Your Majesty!?”

“Don’t worry about it, Mabel. It’s already decided.”

“But…”

“I’m the one who tried to arrange your engagement to protect both Mabel and the Demon Lord’s Domain. I must take responsibility for that choice. As family, of course. Don’t get carried away and make me your concubine along with Mabel… understood!?”

“I understand. Rukie-sama.”

“…Hey, Thor.”

Rukie placed her hand on my head again and gave me a fearless smile.

“I told you to treat me the same as Mabel, didn’t I? Why are you still calling me Rukie-sama?”

“Uh…”

“Go on. Say it without an honorific. Call me Rukie, the Demon Lord of this land. If you truly consider me family, that should be easy. Come on.”

“Alright then… Rukie.”

“──!?”

Wait, she’s the one who told me to call her that, right?

Why is she turning away and covering her face?

“This is exactly why you… really.”

Rukie cleared her throat, then—

“Anyway, that settles the matter. Thor and Mabel will become engaged, and the Demon Lord’s Domain will announce it officially. Princess Sophia of Noza Town will be informed, and naturally, the Empire will hear as well.”

“It would be best to say that I asked Rukie to arrange the marriage because I wished to marry Mabel.”

“Yes. That would be best.”

“So we make it clear that Thor-sama chose me of his own free will, not because of any value my lineage might have… Is that right?”

Before I knew it, Rukie, Mabel, and I were sitting on the floor of the hall.

The three of us were huddled together, whispering in a secret meeting.

“It isn’t that Mabel has no value. In fact—”

“Wah! Thor-sama! What are you trying to say!?”

“You can praise Mabel later. More importantly, let’s discuss what comes next—”

After that, we discussed our plans going forward.

In a few days, Rukie would return to the Demon Lord’s Castle.

Mabel and I would accompany her.

Afterward, our engagement would be announced at the Demon Lord’s Castle.

As an Imperial noble, I was permitted to have multiple wives.

Mabel would formally become a secondary wife, preserving the political balance with Princess Sophia of the Empire.

While we were at the Demon Lord’s Castle, arrangements would be made to expand my house in Raisenga Territory.

A detached residence would be built for Mabel.

Since I would be treated as a noble, at least outwardly, this was necessary.

The news would also be shared with Noza Town, with which we had close ties.

Before that, we would inform Princess Sophia through the winged pixies.

“──That covers everything.”

“I’m so sorry for causing all this trouble because of me…”

“It isn’t Mabel’s fault. Besides, the Demon Lord from two generations ago chose to accept your grandmother. If that was an official decision by the Demon Lord, it’s only natural that the successor bear responsibility for it.”

As expected of Rukie. She’s reliable.

Anyway, the plans are now set.

It suddenly turned into a political matter, and there’s a lot to do, but everything is necessary.

To protect Mabel and preserve peace in the Demon Lord’s Domain.

Besides, I already know what I need to do.

“Alright then, I’ll prioritize making items for Mabel and Rukie.”

“Y-Yes. Please, Thor-sama.”

“You can make mine later… but I’m counting on you.”

Mabel and Rukie both nodded.

First, I would make a cover for Mabel’s “Water Spirit Stone Pendant.”

And for Rukie—of course, a magic sword.

I would make a large blade for her to carry on her back someday, but for now, I would craft a magic sword she could always carry.

As for my own item, I would choose something suitable from the Mail-Order Catalog. There was bound to be something useful in it.

And so, the discussion with Rukie came to an end.

Mabel and Rukie had become part of my family.

It’s a secret in Rukie’s case, but, well, that’s unavoidable.

In any case, I hadn’t expected Mabel to be connected to an imperial noble house.

I never imagined we’d uncover this kind of information as a result of the “magical beast investigation.”

…The lost Houses of Marquis Misra and Tilik, huh?

I don’t care much about the internal conflict in the Empire, but I’m curious about the descendants of the marquis houses.

I wondered whether any members of the House of Marquis Tilik had survived.

And then there’s also Archduke Kharon—I’m worried about him too.

He’s a good person, so if possible, I hope he’s safe.

With those thoughts in mind, the day’s discussions came to a close.

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