Perhaps they had been cleaning the mansion throughout the night? The building now looked so immaculate that one might mistake it for newly built. In front of the mansion, most of the employees of the Albert Duchy were assembled, their postures disciplined and purposeful.
The sight of Lilia-san and the others neatly lined up from the gate to the front door was truly striking. It was as if their formation alone conveyed the significance of the being who would soon be visiting. The atmosphere was heavy with a skin-prickling tension that seemed to seep into every corner.
Today was the seventh day of the Fire Month, and noon was fast approaching—Kuro would be here soon.
Whether it was because of the tasks she mentioned the other night or simply due to her impending visit, Kuro hadn’t appeared in my room last night. That absence only added to my nervousness.
In the stillness, broken only by the occasional rustling of the wind, I glanced at the pocket watch in my hand. As the second hand completed its circuit and the time struck noon—the air shifted.
[ ! ? ]
If I were to compare it to something, it felt as if the air around us had suddenly grown heavy… A weighty pressure began bearing down on my body.
The scenery ahead of us wavered, like a mirage, and through the wide-open gate, Kuro appeared.
She still wore her black coat draped over her figure, but the usual smile on her face was absent, and the atmosphere around her was distinctly different from before.
Those nearby, including Lilia-san and me, instinctively lowered our heads. It felt as if the entire surrounding space was compelled to bow before her, leaving only the sound of Kuro’s footsteps echoing in the profound silence.
Her beautiful silver-white hair shimmered in the sunlight, and her golden eyes gazed forward silently.
That was surely—the march of a king.
Though it was a solo march, with no one accompanying her, an overwhelming presence surrounded her, as if tens of thousands of troops were advancing in unison.
It took only seconds for her to walk from the gate to the front door, yet in that brief moment. We couldn’t look away, couldn’t speak, and could barely breathe as we watched the Absolute approach with confidence.
When Kuro reached the deeply bowing Lilia-san, she calmly spoke.
[My apologies for arriving on such short notice, Duchess Albert.]
[T-There’s no need to apologize… Welcome, and thank you for coming, Underworld King Kuromueina-sama.]
[Unnn. I understand this visit is quite sudden. I’d like to take my time talking to you, so would it be alright for us to go in?]
[Of course. Please come in…]
Exchanging greetings with Lilia-san, whose voice was calm yet undeniably majestic, Kuro walked straight into the mansion, guided by her.
Instead of the smaller reception room, we were led to a finely decorated reception hall. Inside, only Lilia-san, Lunamaria-san, Kusunoki-san, Yuzuki-san, a few servants, and I entered. Once we were all inside, the large doors closed behind us.
Kuro’s overwhelming presence filled the room, so different from her usual atmosphere, making even this spacious hall feel smaller. Feeling a little bewildered by this unfamiliar side of Kuro, I couldn’t help but stare at her.
Then, as our eyes met, Kuro flashed her usual bright smile, and the heavy pressure that had been bearing down on me vanished in an instant.
[What do you think, Kaito-kun? My serious mode! Cool, right!?]
[…………….]
She completely shattered the majestic image she had just moments ago. Let me repeat that because it’s important, she completely shattered the majestic image she had.
I’d appreciate it if you could return all the awe and reverence I had for you, along with the impression that you might really be the Underworld King, based on that “majesty” of yours. And while I’ll admit your smug face is kind of cute, it’s still annoyingly smug.
Anyway, it seems Kuro’s serious mode has vanished, and her usual cheerful self is back. She’s now smiling brightly at me, as she typically does.
Even though I was momentarily stunned by her sudden shift in demeanor, I accepted Lilia-san’s suggestion to sit down. As I took a seat at the large table, the person across from me looked over, tapping the seat next to her.
[Kaito-kun, here, here.]
[……Errr… Unnn. Alright.]
It seems like she wants me to sit next to her, and unsure of what to do, I glanced toward Lilia-san, who silently nodded her head.
Her gesture seemed to mean that I should go along with Kuro’s wish. Accepting that, I followed Kuro’s lead and sat down beside her.
Now then, what should I do about this… Judging by how she’s back to her usual self, she’d probably sulk if I spoke to her too formally. I guess it’s better to talk to her the way I normally would, right?
[Kuro is the Underworld King, huh…]
[Ahh~ Well, that seems to be the case, but honestly, it’s just what people around me call me for their convenience. I’ve never introduced myself like that~~]
[Somehow, I can totally see that. You don’t really fit the image of someone with such a heavy title.]
[Ahaha, right~?]
Seeing me casually talking to Kuro with my usual tone, Lilia-san looked pale, but Kuro didn’t seem to mind at all and responded with a bright smile on her face.
Meanwhile, Lunamaria-san nervously approached with a cup of tea and placed it in front of Kuro, her movements stiff with unease.
[U-Underworld King-sama… P-Please enjoy this tea…]
[Thanks~~, arehh?]
[!?]
As Kuro glanced at the tea Lunamaria-san had set down, she tilted her head slightly, her gaze shifting to Lunamaria-san’s face. The moment Kuro reacted, Lunamaria-san, panicking at the thought that she might have made a mistake, hurriedly dropped to her knees, preparing to bow. However, Kuro’s next words stopped her in her tracks.
[You… We met about ten years ago, didn’t we?]
[ ! ? ! ? ]
[If I’m not mistaken… You’re Lunamaria-chan, right?]
[……S-So you… remembered me…]
Catching Kuro’s words, Lunamaria-san’s eyes widened in disbelief. She looked utterly stunned as she muttered those words, as if unable to process what she had just heard.
[Of course I remember you. How is your mother doing?]
[~~!? Y-Yes! Thanks to Underworld King-sama, she can even be described as the very embodiment of health!]
[I see, that’s good.]
[Yes… All of it was thanks to Underworld King-sama. I could never express enough gratitude for that time…]
Now that I think about it, Lilia-san did mention that Lunamaria-san had met Kuro before, and since then, she’s admired the Underworld King to the point of zealotry.
Lunamaria-san didn’t expect Kuro to remember her after only meeting once, and she looked so overwhelmed with emotion. She clasped her hands together and bowed her head deeply.
[Don’t worry about that. You’ve grown up, huh? I’m glad we met again.]
[~ ~ ! ? !? Y-Your words… are wasted on someone as lowly as me.]
With a bright smile, Kuro pats Lunamaria-san’s head, and Lunamaria-san, overcome with emotion, bursts into tears.
From their exchange, I can only assume that something must have happened with Lunamaria-san’s mother, and that Kuro helped her through it.
In other words, Lunamaria-san owes a great debt of gratitude to Kuro, which is why she admires her so much. It’s a truly heartwarming story, isn’t it?
After Lunamaria-san thanked Kuro repeatedly, she stood up and moved back behind Lilia-san. However, on her way there, I could hear her quietly muttering something.
[……Underworld King-sama… called me by my name… she patted me… to feel such happiness… I think I could die in peace now…]
[……………..]
Unnn. Lunamaria-san… Don’t you think your gratitude has already swung way past its limit? She’s wearing an expression of pure ecstasy, her face flushed like a lovesick maiden, and her gaze hasn’t left Kuro for a while now…
Dear Mom, Dad—It seems Lunamaria-san was helped by Kuro a long time ago. But even with that in mind, Lunamaria-san—She really is a zealot.