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 Reisenga’s mansion.

She was wearing a mask and robe, sitting on a chair in the style of the Demon Lord.

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

I have to be properly polite 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 territory 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 was not the time for that.

Raising my face suddenly, I saw Rukie looking tense.

Because she was wearing the mask of ‘Recognition Inhibition’, I couldn’t read her expression.

But her hands gripping the armrests of the chair were trembling slightly. She kept turning toward me and Mabel, then looking down repeatedly.

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.

Pressing the lid, it creaked as it opened.

The inside of the box was clean.

There was cloth lining the bottom. It wasn’t very deteriorated.

In the center lay something wrapped multiple times in cloth.

It looked to be something quite precious.

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

I thought carefully and 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 semi-transparent magic stone that changes colors through the seven colors over time.

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

Though called a ‘magic stone,’ it is soft like clay. It can also be divided and used.

It is very precious.

Attributes: All attributes (possesses all elements: light, dark, earth, water, fire, wind).

──────────────────

“…Amazing.”

That was the only word I could say.

What is this?

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

This must be an extremely rare treasure.

Normally, it’s priceless.

My hand began to tremble unconsciously. Any alchemist would react that way.

This is the stuff of dreams. It can be used in any item.

But—

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

“More than a treasure, it was something kept unused and hidden away. It was too precious, and no one could handle it properly.”

Rukie said that with a shrug.

“If it’s material for items, using magic stones of each individual attribute is cheaper. Also, there has never been a caster in the Demon Lord territory who could fully utilize the ‘Rainbow-colored Magic Stone.’ Therefore, no one used it, and it was stored deep inside 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 will give this ‘Rainbow-colored Magic Stone’ as a betrothal gift to Thor and Mabel. Using this as material, you should be able to make items to 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. About one-third… no, about three-fifths.”

“Do as you like.”

Rukie let out a dry chuckle.

“Because it’s like clay, it’s fine to divide and use it. Use the rest at another time as material for items for the Demon Lord territory.”

“Understood. Then, I gratefully accept.”

I bowed my head toward Rukie.

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

“…Hmm.”

“By the way, Your Majesty—”

“What is it?”

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

“Something you want to say?”

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

In the hall, there was only me, Mabel, and Rukie. No one else.

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

The conversation here shouldn’t be heard by anyone other than us.

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

“If Her Majesty feels uncomfortable, I am willing 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 somewhat understood why Rukie brought up “the engagement between Mabel and me” at this timing.

Because there had been a temporary engagement talk between Mabel and me before.

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

The talk had come up so I wouldn’t be recruited by the empire.

I think the reason the same topic came up this time is related to Mabel and the “Marquis Misra family.”

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 curiously.

“I intend to explain about 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 will say it. It is an honor to speak such words to Your Majesty, 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 as 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.

“I just told Mabel earlier that ‘Mabel is an important person, and I consider her family.’ And regarding my engagement with her, I wanted to convey the same words to Your Majesty.”

Somehow, I just felt it was better this way.

Before the engagement story officially becomes the Demon Lord Territory’s affair, I wanted to properly tell Rukie as well.

“When I lived in the empire, there was no one I could call family. My mother passed away when I was little, and my father—as Your Majesty knows—is that kind of person. My grandfather was a drunkard and didn’t care about his grandchildren. So, I had no family in the imperial capital.”

I continued my explanation.

“But when I came to the Demon Lord Territory, 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 started sitting around the tea table with you. You also accompanied me in experiments with magic items and research about the hero’s world.”

After saying that, I took a breath.

“That time became very important to me.”

“──!?”

I felt like Rukie’s eyes widened.

I’ve recently started to read the expressions behind the ‘Perception Blocking’ mask a little.

Of course, it might just be my imagination.

“Earlier, Rukie-sama said, ‘Thor and Mabel are engaged.’ I understand what that means. I have temporarily been engaged to Mabel before. So, this time, it’s a measure to protect Mabel, right?”

“…Y-yes.”

“I am grateful that you considered measures to protect Mabel, who is important to me and family.”

I bowed my head to Rukie again.

“I feel the same. Mabel is an important person and family to me. I am very glad that Rukie-sama thought of such measures for her sake. 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 help.

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 haven’t said things like this often.

Seems like I’m quite nervous too.

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

Actually, I was planning to look up “Words to Say to Someone You Want to Become Family (Hero World Version),” before doing anything.

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 said something like “someone like family” to the one who rules the Demon Lord Territory.

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, Demon Lord Your Majesty.”

No response.

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

No answer.

“I will not argue against any punishment.”

Silence.

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

“…You are not 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.”

That one minute after was long.

Rukie stood up from the chair, spun around, turned her back to me, and hugged the chair’s backrest as she sat back down.

The robe on her back trembled slightly up and down.

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

It calmed down after about 300 seconds on my count. Roughly five minutes had passed.

But this is the Demon Lord Territory 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 a sigh from Demon Lord Rukie.

Clang, a sound.

The sound of the “recognition inhibition” mask dropping to the floor.

Next, the robe also fell onto the floor.

Then Rukie turned around and looked at me.

There stood Rukie as usual, having removed the “recognition inhibition.”

A daring smile appeared, but her gaze wandered.

Still, she did not 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 ‘Marquis Misra family.’ If the Empire finds out about this, they will want Mabel and the ‘Water Spirit Stone Pendant.’ To prevent that, making her my fiancée is effective… Your Majesty and the Chancellor must think so, right?”

“What is the meaning of you being the 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?”

“That’s right. You were sent as a hostage from the Empire. You are also the eldest child of the Regus Duke family. Also, Archduke Kharon, Princess Sophia, and Princess Liana know about you.”

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

“Not only I. Archduke Kharon of the Empire and the twin princesses also treat you as an important person. If you take someone from the Demon LordTerritory as a concubine, that information will reach the Empire. Then, what do you think will happen?”

“The Empire will have to lie.”

“What kind of lie do you think?”

“That the Empire sent me from the start as a messenger—or a guest—to the Demon Lord Territory.”

That will probably be the case.

The Empire cannot treat me—an alchemist who belongs to the Demon Lord and engaged to someone from the Demon Lord Territory—as a hostage or a sacrifice.

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

Whether they call it a misunderstanding or a communication error, or blame it on my father—Barga Regus—running off on his own, I don’t know. Anyway, they will say I was a messenger or a guest from the start.

The Empire cares a lot about face and appearances.

“That’s right. I considered all that and decided to engage you and Mabel. If Thor’s treatment changes in the Empire, the relationship between the Empire and the Demon Lord Territory will change. The Empire will find it difficult to intervene in the Demon Lord Territory that has a guest they sent… I ended up thinking that far.”

Rukie narrowed her eyes and gave a sarcastic smile.

“I am a king. I must consider the country itself. That’s why besides protecting you and Mabel, I also considered the relations between countries. Maybe I looked at what is important to me through political eyes…”

“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 the Garua Frontier Lord tried to use me.

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

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

That parents would use their child like that is 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 get engaged and the Empire treats me as ‘a guest sent to the Demon Lord Territory,’ then it will be difficult for the Empire to use me like my father did. The engagement to Mabel also protects me, right?”

“…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 the people who tried to use me as a scapegoat or a hostage will be utterly disgraced.”

“…Ah.”

Mabel widened her eyes.

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

“My father, the steward of the Regus family, the captain of the guards, and even the soldiers who dragged me to the Demon Lord’s Domain… all of them will have to say ‘gah!’—as they say in the hero world. There’s no way Rukie-sama hasn’t realized that, right?”

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

Mabel nodded vigorously.

I continued.

“And then there’s Princess Sophia. If she abandons the Empire and comes to the Demon Lord’s Domain… and if she becomes my concubine or something like that, then… it would be more convenient for her if I’m seen as a guest from the Empire, right? Since she’d be going to someone recognized by the Empire.”

“Her Majesty thought that far ahead!?”

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

“Y-You’re right…”

“Rukie-sama is the Demon Lord, so she may look at me from a political perspective. But she also thinks about me and the people around me properly… no, she really 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 the combined gaze of me and Mabel, 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 Magic Stone’ to craft three items. One for Mabel, one for Rukie-sama—for protection. 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 tightly closed her eyes, bit her lips, exhaled with a sigh, 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’ll acknowledge it. I too… think of you, Thor, like family! More important than anyone else, someone I want by my side! I used all sorts of excuses, but it’s true that I wanted to improve your position in the Empire, and it’s also true that I wanted to make those who bullied you say ‘gah!’—just like you said!”

With a clatter, Rukie stood up from her chair.

Clicking her heels, she came to stand before me.

“But I am 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 like family to me. When it’s the three of us… treat me and Mabel equally.”

“Your Majesty!?”

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

“But…”

“I’m the one who tried to have you and Thor engaged to protect you and the Demon Lord’s Domain. In that case, I have to take responsibility for that choice. Well, it’s as family, of course. Don’t go thinking you can make me your concubine like Mabel… got that!?”

“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? So why are you still calling me Rukie-sama’?”

“Uh…”

“Go on, try saying it without honorifics. Call me Rukie,’ the Demon Lord of this land. If you really consider me family, that much should be easy, right? Come on, 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. The Demon Lord’s Territory will officially announce it. Princess Sophia of the town of Nosa will be informed. Of course, the Empire will hear of it as well.”

“It would be better if we say that I asked Rukie to arrange the marriage and that I wished to marry Mabel.”

“Yes. That would be best.”

“So, the idea is to make it seem like Thor-sama chose me of his own will, and that I have no value… Is that it?”

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’s not that Mabel has no value… Because, well—”

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

“Praising Mabel can come later. More importantly, let’s talk about what comes next—”

After that, we discussed our plans going forward.

A few days later, Rukie will return to the Demon Lord’s Castle.

Mabel and I will accompany her.

Afterward, the announcement of my engagement to Mabel will take place at the Demon Lord’s Castle.

Since I’m a noble of the Empire, I will have multiple wives.

Mabel will be a concubine. This is to balance things with Princess Sophia of the Empire.

While we’re at the Demon Lord’s Castle, arrangements will be made to renovate the house in the Reisenga Territory.

This is to build a detached residence for Mabel.

Since I’ll be treated like a noble, at least outwardly, this is necessary.

This information will also be shared with the town of Nosa, with whom we have ties.

Before that, we should inform Princess Sophia via the winged fairy Pixie.

“──That covers everything.”

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

“It’s not Mabel’s fault. Besides, it was the former Demon Lord, two generations ago, who decided to accept your grandmother. If it was a decision officially made by the Demon Lord, then it’s only natural that the successor bears the responsibility.”

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 to keep the Demon Lord’s Territory at peace.

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 do mine later… but still, I’m counting on you.”

Mabel and Rukie both nodded.

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

And for Rukie—of course, a magic sword.

I’ll make a large blade for her to carry on her back later, but for now, I’ll craft a magic sword she can always carry with her.

As for the item for myself… I’ll just pick something appropriate from the “Mail Order Catalog.” There’s bound to be something useful in there.

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 Marquis Houses of Misra and Tilik, huh?

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

I wonder if there are any survivors from the Tilik Marquis House?

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 discussions for the day came to a close.

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