Demon Lord: Erotic Adventure in Another World

Chapter 243: A Strange feeling - The distance of a single fist

'W-Why?!'

Asmodeus felt confused—the changes in Velvet were visible, but suddenly, during their duel, her magic became unstable. She even let him strike her with a move she would normally counter easily with her eyes closed.

"Is there something wrong with her? Maybe I shouldn't tease her so much anymore..."

He felt genuinely down after Velvet rushed away, so he slowly began to tidy the training ground and got something light to eat and maybe head into the city.

It was quite a rare feeling, but for once, he wanted to be alone, so he didn't ask anyone to come with and after eating a small snack from the mistress, he headed into Baltimore alone.

***

Normally, he might head to the guild or regular places when with the girls. However, instead of usual, he wore a thick cloak and covered his head, instead choosing to go to where the various tradesmen and artisans lived.

'Maybe looking at some cool weapons will help me calm my mind.'

The streets were a little dirtier, and the soot and other minerals that billowed from the chimneys of the blacksmith shops caused various shops and signs to be covered in a small layer of dirt if not cleaned daily. Asmodeus didn't mind this and instead enjoyed the strange scents that were rare for him.

'Should I enter here?'

He found a small blacksmith, but on the display were beautiful daily items rather than swords.

However, through the window, Asmodeus could see some rather pretty weapons and shields on the walls. Thanks to the demonic eye, he could understand that they were quality items and not just for display.

Jingle!

A lovely bell sounded as the petite female answered from behind the counter. Although her face was quite pretty, her jaw was rather thick. It didn't make her ugly, thanks to her body and muscular arms.

"Welcome to our store! The Grey Anvil! I am Mithra, the co-owner and wife of the blacksmith Duran!"

Her bright ginger hair and dotted freckles added to her Celtic charm. This accent reminded Asmodeus of his previous life, a small country just north of a formerly great empire. In this place, they drank a delicious nectar called Iron Brew and made the innards of animals into a delicacy.

"Thank you for the welcome, I am an adventurer who is looking for a certain kind of item..."

"Oh? May I ask the budget and what kind of thing you would like?" Mithra's eyes sparkled. Asmodeus didn't know why, but to him, it felt fun to speak with her like this. He could see the hard-working Duran in the back hammering at some ore—his short stature and thick beard likely meant he was a rare dwarf!

"Well, under my service are fifteen women who will be joining me to head south to become mercenaries in the near future," Asmodeus explained.

"Oh, my? I didn't expect someone like you to be such a busy person... Such a handsome guy and you want to be a mercenary! I can't tell if I should laugh or not." Her giggling was like a jolly tune as she waited for his explanation.

"I don't mind you relaxing; there is no one judging etiquette here, my talented madam."

The pair then sat at the counter as she started to show past works and things that her husband was skilled at. During this time, she explained she was the leader of a group of talented dwarven miners who would attain the ore for the blacksmiths on this street.

'A lovely and close-knit group. I wish that Grigor had such a thing.'

"I would like to purchase the highest level of ore you can find, along with the best workmanship for actual use and durability, even if the beauty suffers. Although I wish for all of the items to be the same, apart from names to be engraved on each shield... is it possible?"

While the pair were speaking, the anvil in the back where Duran was working became silent at some point, and he appeared beside his wife and Asmodeus, who removed his hood. He looked at the design his wife drew while adjusting it for Asmodeus, the dwarf nodding at his wife's work with a faint smile.

"Lad, are you looking for heavy shields? Might it be for those knight lassies who are staying at the Southern Inn?" Duran's voice sounded rough, but his eyes were sincere, like an elder looking at a youth.

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"Yes, sir, Duran! Those are my allies and precious women."

"Hmmm... so you are the ones that cleared the western mountain of bandits, aye?"

For a moment, Asmodeus thought to himself, then tapped his chin, "The Blue Snake gang who were keeping several non-humans captive? Yeah, me and one of my future wives cleared that cave."

"Aye, then it's good. I will do my best to finish these items; it might take a wee while, but the custom dual swords and this spear will be a little longer. Are you okay waiting?"

"Of course, although we did plan to wait, honestly, Baltimore has been such a wonderful time that I am fine waiting for your fine work; you don't need to rush and here is the money for your work, with a bonus."

Asmodeus handed over fifty gold, with the mass-produced knight armour and weapons costing one gold each, while the custom weapons were five gold, leaving ten gold as the tip. "Is this fine, Madam Mithra, Sir Duran?"

"Take care, young man!"

The couple's enthusiasm caused Asmodeus to feel warm.

"Please take care!"

He bowed and left the store, however, not before noticing the delighted look Duran gave his wife, who was holding her cheek. Asmodeus felt the couple reminded him of his parents in the early days before they separated and couldn't help but feel a bit more positive.

'Where too now? Hmmm, is that Erika?'

In the distance, Erika was looking at various trinkets at a stall outside a blacksmith's shop. She was staring at a silver necklace with a pendant shaped like a flower.

'Is she shopping for herself?'

Asmodeus approached her, and as he reached her shoulder, he spoke, "Is this the kind of thing you like, Eri?"

"What are you doing here?" Erika quickly turned to see him, a faint blush covering her cheeks as she stuttered, "S-Shouldn't you be at practice with Velvet at this time?!" Asmodeus noticed that she already seemed to have bought something but hid it from his sight, causing his lips to curl into a grin.

'She bought me a gift, didn't she? What a lovely girlfriend.'

"I just saw you and couldn't help but want to come and walk around with you. Is that so bad?"

He held her hand, his handsome face making the blushing maiden even redder as she muttered, "N-Not really..."

"What is that? Show me."

"Mhmmm... is it okay?"

"Eri, did you want this pendant? With the lovely blue gemstone?" He held the same flower trinket she put down when he surprised her and looked at her cute face, both lips pouting and her cheeks puffed out.

"Hmph! D-Do you like it?"

"Yeah, I think it suits you, Eri."

"I-I see... then, mmm..."

Before she could buy it, Asmodeus passed the money over for it and bought the silver flower trinket, "Mmm, then shall I gift this to the lovely girl beside me?" He teased Erika, who looked up at him with curious eyes.

"Hehe~ I didn't want you to get me a gift, but I won't say no to one."

"Let me put it on you, turn around you cute little fairy."

"Mnnn~"

While feeling excited, he placed the silver chain on the nape of her neck, a thin chain of twisting flowers and beautiful workmanship. It clipped around her neck and slipped down, the flower just above her cleavage sparkling with the beautiful gemstone.

"How does it look?"

"You look lovely, Eri."

He praised her with a nod and a kiss on her cheek, her fingers touching the flower as she couldn't help but keep a smile.

"Want me to buy anything else?"

"Hehe, I'll tell you later."

"Tell me if you want something. Shall we enjoy the afternoon together? A little date, maybe?" Asmodeus was in a good mood, meeting Duran and his wife and Erika helping him to put the issue with Velvet to the back of his mind.

"Then, let's go, Eri."

"Nnn!"

With that, the two enjoyed the day, going from street to street, enjoying various food stalls, buying gifts, and talking about random topics.

Meanwhile, back at the inn, Velvet was struggling herself in the room of Alice, her eyes slightly puffy and red, as if she had been crying.

"Sister Velvet... why are you so silly?" Alice was a little stronger than Velvet without her magic, but because they grew so close in the past, they didn't hold back on each other with private problems.

"It's my fault..."

"It's your fault, but sister, isn't it about time you realise that the feelings you have towards Asmodeus are something different than you first thought? He's a strong and reliable young man. Why can't you just admit you are jealous of that elf girl and my little nieces?"

Alice's words caused Velvet's face to flush crimson, her face scrunched, and her lips pursed.

"N-No way! T-That's not true, Alice. I-I just think that it's not right for him to play with other women. How could such a young man and me match..."

"Haa... I've heard you calling in his name at night, Aunt... please don't tarnish your name any more in my heart!"

Velvet's face became pale. She didn't realise this wasn't like the castle where each wall had soundproofing magic... her eyes looked at Alice in shock, and she rushed over, holding her hands.

"Alice, my beloved child! You can't tell anyone!"

"I will not; I know he won't betray you, so you should just confess your feelings already."

"But... what about him playing around with the other girls?"

"Auntie, do you not understand him at all? He's been looking forward to getting closer to you, and he never approaches women without the determination to accept everything about them... even a woman like you."

"What do you mean?! You little shit!"

"Ah, no! I mean, you're a mature and beautiful lady! I didn't mean to make a jab at your age, Auntie!" Alice looked away, her lips pouting as she pretended to butter her Great Aunt up.

"Little brat! If you didn't have Alan and Avandar protecting you, I would have beat you up and thrown you out of the window a long time ago!"

"Fufu~ well, take it slow if you don't want to make a move; I am sure Anne... or rather Vinea will take him next, you know?"

"!!!"