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“Sulfur?”
<And the smell of filthy beasts as well.>
Leviathan made a gesture of pinching its nose with its webbed front paws. It wasn't even funny.
<It's not entirely unexpected.>
“What do you mean?”
<I told you when we first met. That a rebellion had broken out in the Underworld.>
That was true. When Leviathan first met Rahan, it said it had been forced to the surface due to a rebellion.
Of course, Rahan hadn't been particularly curious about it, so he had forgotten.
<Why would a rebellion happen? To seize the position of the Supreme One. And it seems the hierarchy has been settled.>
Leviathan compared the story of demons to humans.
<Human kings also try to prove themselves once they ascend the throne. What would a demon who has settled the hierarchy and ascended to the position of the Supreme One try to do?>
“Conquer the surface?”
<Exactlyyy. After all, isn't the most delicious food for demons the suffering of humans?>
Leviathan chuckled.
<Anyway, it's not this body.>
Why was it that he suddenly remembered what Iris had said earlier?
'They say Karl has disappeared.'
He hoped it was nothing serious.
<I'll say it one more time, if you contract with me...>>
“Do you think I'd contract with a demon?”
Rahan cut Leviathan off once again. The history of this demon tempting him with such words was so long that rejecting it had become second nature. Leviathan whined.
<Eeee. This place is too hard for this body!>
“Do I care?”
Regardless, it was a relief that he had discovered the presence of a mage early.
Finding a mage again would be an incredibly difficult and arduous task, but the Empire wasn't devastated as it had been a hundred years ago.
Though the Church of Eridrahan had declined, that didn't mean the priests should be underestimated.
The priests of Eridrahan were still present and respected. If they acted early, the plague or the Potato Blight wouldn't be a major problem.
<But child. Do not underestimate demons.>
Leviathan chuckled as if reading Rahan's inner thoughts. Rahan raised an eyebrow.
“What do you mean?”
<There are far more beings in this world than you think who wish to borrow even the power of a demon in their weakest moment... just like you.>
The man clenched his teeth. What Leviathan had just brought up was his weakest point.
“...You tempted me when I was immature, and I fell for it. Even knowing you were a demon. I won't deny that.”
<Uh-huh.>
“But I believe I told you I would never make that choice again.”
<Child. But you've found something precious now, haven't you?>
Rahan felt as if his blood were boiling. He barely restrained the urge to slice that lizard in half right then and there.
He had already tried cutting Leviathan once and knew that it would only be his own loss, having no effect on the demon's life or death.
<Don't be so angry. Do you know how hard this body worked to make you who you are today?>
“...I just want to kill myself for feeding Iris things that came out of your guts.”
<Aiee. Just be grateful that your wife is safe thanks to the undulating waves within this body's shadow.>
Leviathan snickered. Even if it had been exiled to the surface, it was once one of the greatest demons in hell.
Leviathan had known long ago that magical beasts and suspicious mages were lurking around. It simply hadn't told Rahan because their power couldn't recklessly infringe upon Leviathan.
<I've sprinkled a bit of sugar powder.>
“What kind of scheme is this?”
<When you are most desperate, you will come to want meee.>
It was then.
“Captain!”
Rahan turned around hurriedly. Appearing from behind the hut were Riet and Priest Marid.
Rahan's heart sank. He hoped they hadn't heard the conversation.
“We're all packed and ready, but we couldn't find you!”
At those words, Rahan quickly composed his expression. Fortunately, it seemed both of them had just arrived. However, anxiety simultaneously sprouted in Rahan's chest.
If they had come this close, he definitely should have noticed their presence.
Ever since the knight of House Achen attacked, Rahan had always remained sharply alert.
'I've sprinkled a bit of sugar powder.'
What on earth did that mean? Feeling unconsciously anxious, Rahan checked Riet's expression.
“Riet. By any chance... did you hear?”
“Huh? Hear what?”
“Nothing.”
Rahan quickly brushed it off. Riet smirked.
“Why? Were you making baby noises to the lizard behind my back?”
“...Who do you take me for! I was not!”
As he spoke, Rahan exaggeratedly slammed the wall of the hut with the hilt of his sword.
Because of that, the axolotl let out a squeak, stumbled, and quickly scurried to the windowsill. Riet shrugged.
“Miss Iris was worried that you hadn't even fed the lizard. Be nice to me. Otherwise, I'll go up and tell her the Captain was abusing the lizard.”
Only then could Rahan let out a small laugh.
“As if.”
Riet looked fully prepared to depart.
Not only had she filled a large travel bag with food, but she was also wearing gaiters on her legs.
Since the horses were left at Vandel's public stables, it seemed she intended to walk to Vandel. She held out her hand.
“If it's a nuisance, shall I take that lizard back to the Ducal Palace? The maids there seemed to find it quite cute while the Captain was away.”
Rahan flinched at the sudden suggestion but waved his hand.
“It's fine. It seems Iris has grown fond of it.”
That demon was quite cumbersome, and he was bothered by its unknown intentions, but he couldn't just send it away with Riet.
In the very unlikely event, he might actually need Leviathan.
...Though he hoped such an event would never happen.
“I see. Anyway, the discussions at the monastery are finished.”
“Right. It must have been a struggle getting back.”
“Yes. But I can't be the only one struggling, so I plan to ask the Grand Duke to summon the Captain as quickly as possible.”
Smiles spread between the two. Then, Rahan suddenly noticed Priest Marid, who was sweating profusely behind Riet.
“Priest? What is it...?”
“Ah. It's just that...”
Priest Marid looked at Rahan for a long time before swallowing and speaking.
“I, uh, think Iris should... stay the night at the monastery.”
“Iris?”
“Well, you see... Abbot Wilbert says that since they are short on priests, they need to borrow Iris's power, and the meeting with the monastery's priests tonight is likely to run long...”
The priest then hesitated awkwardly.
“I... I feel terrible for the newlyweds. What should I do?”
“...No way.”
Rahan frowned.
“Did... you hear everything?”
“Whaaat?! I did?!”
Priest Marid looked absolutely shocked. He waved his hands frantically.
“N-no! What would I have heard! I didn't!”
Rahan blinked.
“…Haven’t you heard everything from Iris?”
“…Iris?”
This time, Priest Marid paused, blinking blankly. Rahan flushed, looking embarrassed.
“Since you mentioned newlyweds… I thought you’d heard it all…?”
“Uh… well.”
This was truly awkward. Rahan felt he finally understood why the girls who used to act shy in front of him would twist their bodies in bashfulness.
He, too, felt a strange twisting sensation in his gut, making him want to avoid Priest Marid’s gaze.
“Iris and I… well….”
“Well?”
“…Goodness. How should I put this. I mean, um. Riet.”
Seeing her captain suddenly fidgeting and twisting, Riet frowned and observed Rahan closely, wondering if he had eaten something wrong, before tilting her head in confusion.
Rahan let out a fake cough.
“Tell the Grand Duke… that I might become a knight of House Achen.”
What on earth is this nonsense? Riet frowned, and then, realizing the meaning behind the words, she groaned.
“…Insane.”
“…That’s how it happened.”
Priest Marid, who had been dazed for a moment, also belatedly realized what Rahan was saying.
He nearly put Eridrahan’s teaching—to dwell in a place lower than all others—into direct physical practice.
Meaning, he almost collapsed.
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