After Kuro left, the mansion, which had been somewhat hectic, finally settled down. We all took a break to drink tea before dinner.
[However, Kaito-san really never ceases to amaze me. I never imagined I would be inviting any of the Six Kings-sama into my mansion.]
[Ahaha, no, we really just met by chance…]
[Along with your humility, “Kaito-sama” truly is a wonderful person. This Lunamaria thanks the Gods for the good fortune of meeting you, Kaito-sama.]
[……………]
After hearing Lilia-san’s words, spoken with a wry smile, I responded with a wry smile of my own… but there was something off about one person.
The way she was addressing me was different, and looking into those shining eyes of hers… I couldn’t help but feel a strange, unsettling fear.
[Errr, Lilia-san… there’s something off about Lunamaria-san… Or rather, she looks really scary right now…]
[……She must have been so happy after meeting Kuromueina-sama. I’m sure she’ll calm down and return to normal after a while, but…]
It seems like a strange switch was completely flipped with Lunamaria-san. She’s been like this ever since Kuro left—constantly lifting me up and showering me with praise, and how should I put it… it’s like she’s completely lost control of herself.
I decided to ignore Lunamaria-san until she returned to normal and refocused on my conversation with Lilia-san and the others.
[However, Kuromueina-sama was quite a fun person to talk with, wasn’t she? Are all the Six Kings that friendly?]
[No, Kuromueina-sama… the Underworld King-sama is said to be the kindest of the Six Kings, along with the World King-sama. In fact, it was the first time I’d spoken with her, but she was just as kind as the rumors say.]
In response to Kusunoki-san’s words, Lilia-san continued to explain.
Even though the Six Kings are grouped together, their personalities seem to vary quite a bit… Well, I have a feeling the Demon Realm wouldn’t be very viable if all the kings shared Kuro’s personality.
[Speaking of the other members of the Six Kings… I’ve never spoken to them directly, so I’ve only heard rumors about them… It’s said that the World King and the Underworld King are both gentle and will forgive you even if you’re slightly impolite. On the other hand, it’s said that no one has survived displeasing the War King or the Death King. As for the Dragon King and the Phantasmal King, I’m not sure, I haven’t heard many rumors about them.]
To sum up what she said, the Underworld King… Kuro and the World King are the gentle ones, while the War King and the Death King are the bad-tempered ones. As for the Dragon King and the Phantasmal King, she doesn’t know much about them.
However, the War King and the Death King… not only are their names intimidating, but their personalities are equally dangerous. They must be in a good mood, or you risk losing your life… That sounds quite terrifying.
As if sensing my anxiety, Lilia-san gave a wry smile and spoke.
[W-Well, it’s really impossible for anyone to speak directly with any of the Six Kings… Yes, this is just an exceptionally unprecedented situation, even among unprecedented situations…]
[…However, if it’s Miyama-senpai, don’t you think he might be able to meet the other Six Kings as well?]
[…Kaito-san, are you trying to kill me with anxiety?]
[No, as expected, there’s no way that could happen…]
When Yuzuki-san blurted out her words, Lilia-san paled, muttering while looking at me. I quickly shook my head in response.
As expected, there’s no way I would meet the other members of the Six Kings. It would be different if Kuro had introduced me to them or something like that, but at least now I know that Kuro is the Underworld King, so I can confirm it with her beforehand.
Also, no matter how Kuro acts, she shouldn’t be able to just introduce me to the other Six Kings, so there shouldn’t be any issues.
[……That’s true, isn’t it!? You’re not hiding any friendships with outrageous people anymore, right!? You don’t actually know the other members of the Six Kings, do you? If you bring one of them home next time, I’m going to cry, you know!?]
[No, seriously, the only Demons I know are the ones introduced to me as Kuro’s family, so it’ll be alright.]
[I-Is that so… In that case, I’m relieved.]
Lilia-san really seems to have grown tired of this, asking me with an expression that could only be described as “desperate.” But when it comes to the other Demons I’ve met, aside from those I’ve already mentioned, the only ones are Ein-san and Sechs-san—whose identities they haven’t heard of before.
Speaking of the two of them, Ein-san is truly an impressive person… If she had pledged her loyalty to Kuro like that, I doubt she would be one of the Six Kings, so she should be fine.
Hearing my words, Lilia-san pats her chest and lets out a sigh of relief.
[In any case, even though I still need to talk to the Goddess of Time, some of the weight on my shoulders has eased a bit. I think I should be able to get a good night’s sleep today.]
[……What are you saying, My Lady?]
[……Eh?]
Lilia-san, leaning back in her chair as if she were completely exhausted, was interrupted by Lunamaria-san, who had somehow returned to her normal self without me noticing.
[My Lady, I don’t think this is the case, but… are you really thinking you’ll be able to rest today?]
[Eh? Eh?]
After muttering those ominous words, Lunamaria-san ignored Lilia-san, who now looked worried, and left the room. A little while later, she returned with both hands full of what looked like letters.
And those letters—more like a mountain of papers—were casually placed in front of Lilia-san’s eyes.
[These are the letters that arrived from the royal palace, nobles, merchants, and the temple.]
[……Whhhyyyyy……]
[It doesn’t seem like you’ve forgotten, but it seems you haven’t fully thought it through, My Lady… Your position now is that of a noble who “has unprecedentedly received the blessing of the Goddess of Time,” and furthermore, someone whose “residence has been unprecedentedly visited by the Underworld King-sama,” correct? Only the royal capital knows of this at the moment, but I’m sure it will become a huge rumor in the surrounding countries as well.]
[……………]
Upon hearing Lunamaria-san’s words, spoken with indifference, Lilia-san’s face grew paler and paler.
Just as Lunamaria-san said, Lilia-san was undoubtedly the woman of the hour. It was no surprise, given that she was considered a noble who had experienced two unprecedented events in such a short span of time, forging powerful connections with both the God Realm and the Demon Realm.
[……However, Kuromueina-sama only came here because she was acquainted with Kaito-san…]
[Even though that may be the case, others may not see it the same way. A duchess with connections to beings near the pinnacle of both the God Realm and the Demon Realm… I’m sure there will be many who’ll want to befriend My Lady. We’ll probably receive dozens of such letters in the next few days.]
[……………..]
[Therefore, I think you should start going through these letters “from today” and begin dealing with them.]
[……………..]
Lilia-san’s expression was completely clouded with despair.
There were so many letters that it seemed like nearly a hundred, and honestly, just going through them would be quite a task. If she also needed to write replies, I don’t think she’d have time to sleep properly.
[[……No more… Kaito-kun… I hate you…]]
Lilia-san glared at me with eyes full of tears, her gaze filled with resentment. She quickly turned away and took a sip of her black tea. I couldn’t help but feel really sorry for her, Lilia-san. However, there’s nothing I can do about it.
Dear Mom, Dad—I know that almost half of this is my fault, but Lilia-san—she’s really having a hard time.
<Author’s Notes>
He did say there were no “amazing” Demons among those he knows… but what about an existence on par with Kuromueina (the Underworld King)? For instance, how about Shallow Vernal (a God)… Ahhh…