176 Former Strongest, Reaching Demon King Castle
176 Former Strongest, Reaching Demon King Castle
As we approached the castle, the appearance increased further.
Oddly enough, it would be perfect if even lightning were running in the background.
It was exactly the appearance worthy of the name of Demon King Castle.
However, it feels excessive for that matter, and there is also an atmosphere that makes it look like it on purpose.
And apparently, it wasn't my fault.
"I used to be creepy and dark for nothing, and I wondered what you were thinking, but you'd be convinced to find out all kinds of things outside like this before you look at them. Whether this is a normal house or a castle, the opposite is a problem."
"Right...... it means that even the Demons don't get very close, and then those are the ones who inevitably come here. So if the appearance is normal, it's going to feel like you've frustrated your nose. I'm sure that's what you're after."
"... is it hard for the Demon King too?
Sounds like it.
Well, from the demon king's point of view, it's not what I found out.
"But somehow I feel like I can't live there, but is it okay there?
"Oh, that's okay. I mean, it's a residential area, because there's a proper place like that. Well, I guess I can do that because I don't really live there."
"Don't you live in a lot of people? It's so big..."
It would also be impossible for Felicia to be surprised.
Whatever it is, the castle is actually quite large.
At least it would be bigger than the royal castle in the king's capital of Radius. Ah or equivalent.
Most importantly, as Soma said, it seems difficult to live there or use this castle only in a small number of places, which makes me feel somewhat unwell.
"... other than people, demons or something?
"Actually, they used to, but at least I've never seen a demon in there. Instead, there's a line between avoiding demons."
"Oh... that's what you said."
However, it was from Stina and not from Aina who heard the story.
I guess that's why.
Hearing the words, Aina was leaning her neck strangely.
"He said...? Did I ever tell you this before?
"No, maybe you've never heard of it from Aina. What I said was from someone else."
"Hmm... well, I'm not hiding anything, and I guess it's no wonder someone knew that"
Seems like Eina was convinced to say so... but she didn't dare tell me that Soma was Stina because she didn't tell Eina about Stina in the first place.
I explained the general events that had taken place so far in the course of yesterday, and in the city just before, I was helped by a certain person, etc., but I didn't explain who exactly it was.
That was Soma's arbitrariness, but when I saw the gap and told Felicia and the others why, they were both convinced.
The reason for this is that it seems that Eina and the others haven't seen each other in at least the last few years.
Moreover, because there seems to be some circumstance there, there was no judgment as to whether it was okay to talk about it in a detour.
For that reason, I first asked how it was going, and if it seemed okay, I decided to talk to her.
Well, I'm still thinking about how I'm going to make that decision... maybe it'll be on my way back to college even if I talk about it.
There is no particular reason why we should rush to talk.
More than that, now...
"Well... then, should we go? I can't help but see the castle here forever."
"Um, you are. So let's go. - To exorcise the Demon King."
"Hey what are you trying to exorcise people's parents......!?
"No, 'cause when it comes to demon kings, it would be arr? Would you have a magic guide like no two in the world, or a material? Or maybe there's something about it that makes magic work. And defeat the Demon King, and it will be mine. Why not take them down?
"... yeah, sure.... I'll help too"
"Sheila's convinced and not offering to cooperate...!
You know it's a joke no matter what you think, but hum and nod at Aina for coming on a solid ride and putting in a scratch.
"Aina still doesn't have to be like this"
"... I feel like I've reunited with Eina"
"Hey there...! Or so what has it been...!
And we had that usual interaction, but there was a mix of fuzzy and unusual things.
Immediately afterwards, the sigh was exhaled.
"... ha"
It goes without saying that it was Felicia who emitted it.
With it lies a clear blur in the gaze toward Soma and the others.
Then when I turned to Aina, I bowed my head.
"Excuse me, Aina, my sister..."
"Huh? Oh, no, it's nothing usual, and you mean you're used to it... not enough to care that much? I'm not really mad, either."
"Hmm... I know this one, but when I put it into words, it feels right..."
"... Sounds a little bit like it?
"That doesn't mean you guys can say anything......!?
I'll stop shrugging my shoulders because I just can't seem to do this any more.
Felicia was still pointing frightening emotions at it, but also as a response to it.
Well, in time, Felicia will get used to it.
Aside from who that is good for and bad for.
Whatever.
"Do you really want to go for now?"
Zito eyes were turned from Aina, and with a bitter smile, the Somas walked out toward the castle in front of them all the way.
It was an unexpected development waiting for the Somas who arrived at Demon King's Castle.
No, technically, that might not be the right way to put it.
Because something didn't happen, there wasn't something to be - there wasn't anyone to be there.
That is...
"Hmmm... The castle of the demon king without the demon king is also novel"
"And I think I heard you say, I escaped earlier..."
"... well, I heard it too, so maybe it's not my fault"
That's what they said.
I don't have too much clapping though, so I try to remember what happened while organizing… First, when the Somas arrived at the castle, a man named Deacon immediately appeared.
They don't have any other butlers in this place, and yet they call themselves butlers for some reason... well, that doesn't matter.
What matters is what the man told you.
The man was naturally acquainted with Aina and was delighted with her return and expressed his welcome, but shortly thereafter he uttered the following words:
Says there's only myself and one more in this castle right now.
Everyone else has business to attend to and is away.
But the other one is the Demon King, who is the Lord here... and he says he doesn't know where he is right now.
But he didn't get caught, and he didn't want to work, so he ran away.
For a moment, I was just wondering if you were joking or something.
'... Speaking of which, that's who he was. Not at all...... is it a good thing or a bad thing that hasn't changed......'
Around Eina grumbled like that with her sigh, apparently it's true.
And when Aina refused, she went with the deacon to search for the Demon King, and thus only three Somas were left here.
"Well... but I wonder what it is"
"What's the matter and these things, don't we just have to wait here?
"... there's nothing else I can do"
"Well, that's true."
As he shrugs his shoulders, Soma looks over at the spot.
It was the stones that got into view first, or most of them there.
Exceptions would be about the chair where the Somas are sitting and the table right next to them.
That was all that was made of wood, and the walls and ceilings, the place was all made of stone.
That's the narrow part, to be honest.
Although the chair has only one table in three and is sufficient to rest, it is overwhelmingly not large enough to do anything else.
Perhaps, but this is supposed to be a soldier's stuffing or something like that.
Soma and the others were brought to such a place and abandoned... it wasn't something else.
Maybe, but Aina and the others were in a hurry and confusion.
Otherwise, they shouldn't just bring him in here and make him wait.
"... well, if they say the Demon King escaped or something, I'd take that for granted too"
"... but like it was the wind I know?
"Even if we knew it, we never experienced it ourselves, so to speak."
Usually the people who were away were looking for them, but now that we're the only ones left, we just have to do it.
However, because I am unfamiliar with it, it has become so temperamental.
Seems like he was actually in quite a hurry, and that's probably the place.
Well, as Felicia said, the lord of this place, the king has fled.
I think it's more of a problem to stay calm.
"I'm honestly free though... Hmm"
"Oh, did you just think of something that wasn't there?
"That's disrespectful. That's not true, is it? Well, I can't deny that I've come up with something."
"... specifically, what kind of thing?
"No, I had no choice where I was jizzing here, and I thought I'd try to explore this castle. Maybe we'll find something."
"This is Aina's house, isn't it? Isn't that just a family search...?
"... but it looks like fun"
"So, is it?
Although Felicia has a frightening atmosphere, this is the Imperial Castle.
It would be natural to be interested in what it is.
"... well, I certainly don't deny it, but I'm not going, am I?
"Mm, why is that?
"Because my conscience prevails over curiosity"
"I see... then you have no choice."
"... n, then I'll stay too"
"... Sheila? If I wanted to go somewhere else, I wouldn't stop, would I? No, I might say a word or so."
"...... it's okay"
It's definitely about Felicia.
But if he decides, there is no denying it.
Though there are some places where I think just soma will go alone here, but if I shy away here, the two of them will care more.
"Hmm... So I'm going to go alone? Oh, it is. If we search for the Demon King at last, it will be an excuse."
"I don't feel like I can do it at a time when I'm saying excuse... in the first place, don't you know the face of the Demon King?
"Sure you're right, but are there only demon kings left here? Then when you see someone you don't know, it is the Demon King."
"That's a big mess..."
"... but for once the muscles are through"
Well, you don't actually have to encounter it, but it doesn't matter.
It's preconstruction, and if it's preconstruction, if it makes sense, it's fine.
Besides, this is just a waste of time.
I'm not even serious about doing something.
Hence.
"So you're just going to go a little bit"
"... come on in"
"We're not going very far, and we're coming back before it's too late, right?
"Are you my mother?"
With those words exchanged and a bitter smile, Soma easily followed the room.