“...Still, I feel strange...”
She was anxious about what had happened to her body, but that anxiety gradually faded away and vanished for some reason.
“Umm...? What was I doing again? An errand... right? Hm, guess I’ll just head back to the church.”
Thus, the little girl went back to her new home without ever realizing the truth.
Chapter III: There Are Many Unexpectedly Kind People in the World, but There Are Also a Lot Who Aren’t
“W-Welcome back, Sir Zagan.”
Kimaris and Gremory greeted Zagan as he returned to his castle. The two of them were ex-Archdemon candidates, and now served as Zagan’s subordinates. Both of them were sorcerers who were able to change their appearance at will. Kimaris was in his humanoid form with his black mane swaying about, and Gremory was riding on his shoulder in the form of a little girl. During the day, they went over to the preceding Archdemon Marchosias’ castle. The two of them were granted permission to do ‘a certain something’ over there, and had just returned themselves.
Nephy’s... not here, huh? How rare... Normally, whenever Zagan went out, Nephy would always come out to welcome him back at the castle’s entrance. And yet, she was nowhere to be found this time around. It may have been that she was in the middle of making preparations for dinner and was unable to step aside for a minute, but Zagan was mostly just hoping she hadn’t gotten ill or anything. Nevertheless, his subordinates showed up to greet him, so Zagan raised his hand as he replied.
“Mm. Good job. You two just got back, right? Perfect timing.”
“Yes. Were you in town, Sir Zagan?”
“Yeah.”
“By the way, why are you in that form? Let me just tell you now, even if you look like a child, I won’t spoil you like Foll or anything...” Zagan looked over to the tiny Gremory as he said that.
“You’ve got it all wrong! Going around as an old woman when I’m tired hurts my back!”
Wait, does that mean she uses this form to alleviate back pain...? Gremory’s standard form was an old woman with a hunched back, and she walked around like that without even using a cane. It was no surprise that it was actually painful.
“Besides, in this form, I can get a ride from Kimaris without him getting embarrassed over it, so I just ended up thinking of it as a necessity,” Gremory continued on while fiddling with the goat horns on her juvenile head. It was hard to tell through his black mane, but it seemed that Kimaris was blushing. The very tip of his nose was just a little red.
“Kimaris, it’s probably wrong to spoil her too much, you know?”
“...Yes. I’ll be careful.”
Zagan sensed their bond was much like his undesired friendship with Barbatos. Though Kimaris nodded, he could tell he’d let Gremory ride on his shoulder again.
“It’s not like I plan on getting in between you two. Anyway, how did it go at Archdemon Palace?”
Kimaris and Gremory exchanged glances, then each of them made a complex expression.
“The prospect of restoring the preceding Archdemon’s golem looks brighter than expected. I think it will serve well as a defensive mechanism. However, as for the other matter...” Kimaris replied.
“My liege, I don’t think I’m well suited for that. Or rather, like I can even control that thing!”
Well, it stood to reason after seeing her worn out figure. Gremory was screaming while making a face like she had completely given up.
“Sorcerers all have a field of expertise. Setting myself aside, I believe that Miss Gremory’s sorcery isn’t suited for this purpose,” Kimaris replied with a nod. Gremory’s sorcery was able to meddle with the flow of time of a living being. In a way, it could be said that she was able to manipulate life itself. On the other hand, Kimaris specialized in sorcery that manipulated sound. It wasn’t to Zagan’s level, but it was suited for combat and he had already brought about useful results with it.
“...I see. But you two are the only ones I can think of who can make use of ‘that.’ I don’t care if it takes time, just get it working somehow.”
“If my liege insists, then there is no way for me to refuse, is there?” Gremory said, reluctantly nodding despite the grimace on her face.
“I feel odd saying this, but is it really alright for us to be the ones to use ‘that?’ I do find it to be quite the honor... but, how do I put it... Wouldn’t that mean that we would hold too much power?” Kimaris added.
“What’s wrong with that?” Zagan replied, tilting his head to the side.
“Heed my words, my liege. That is your asset. Moreover, it is such a dangerous and extravagant asset that it can change the world if used poorly, but you’re just handing it out to a couple of newcomers like us,” Gremory replied in Kimaris’ stead in an astonished tone. In other words, they were worried that Zagan didn’t truly understand its worth.
“Hmm, let’s see... An Archdemon isn’t a symbol among monsters like those in stories. It is a title given to people who stand at the peak of skill in sorcery. The other Archdemons may be eager to become such monsters, but I recognize myself as a king.”
Orias may have had a similar mentality to Zagan’s, but she was a lonely king who had no retainers. That was just a different path from the one Zagan took.
“A king is one who rewards their loyal retainers. You lot have done good work already, and I would like that to continue. That’s why I granted you power as a reward.”
Both Gremory and Kimaris looked like they couldn’t believe what he was saying.
“Is that strange?”
“Now then, I wonder... is it?” Gremory muttered with an unusually serious expression as her eyes cast down, then continued, “It certainly is off the beaten path for a sorcerer to think like that. In the first place, sorcerers only ever think of themselves. We sorcerers, who live in the shadows, are far more evil than your thoughts suggest. Having said that, you are definitely not like that. Living on neither the path of evil or righteousness, you walk a thin line...”
This was not criticism, but Gremory was trying to find the answer herself. And soon after, she suddenly looked up at Zagan.
“Oh, I see. Such is kingship, right?”
And having found the answer, both Gremory and Kimaris bowed before Zagan.
“All is as our liege wills it.”
“But, in that case, is it alright not to grant it to Foll as well? That was something you should have originally granted to Lady Foll, as she is your daughter, Sir Zagan,” Kimaris said, then looked up at Zagan’s face as if checking on his complexion. He certainly had a point. The job that Zagan entrusted to the two of them was something that Foll was most suitable for as his adopted daughter, as a dragon, and as an ex-Archdemon candidate.
What’s more, Archdemon Palace is full of mechanisms that use dragon spells to move... It was obvious that Foll suited the space best.
“That was what I was originally planning. Even now, Foll desires greater strength.”
“Then...”
Nevertheless, Zagan shook his head with a strict expression on his face.
“A thought crossed my mind when I looked at Nephy in the hidden elven village. Both myself and Nephy... or rather, most sorcerers, didn’t have a proper childhood, right?”
“That’s...”
Both Kimaris and Gremory seemed to come upon a sudden realization, and were unable to answer him.
“It’s a little rich coming from me, but I just thought that I’d like for Foll to be able to experience that.”
Sitting atop Zagan and Nephy’s laps, having picture books read to her, coaxing them for sweets, sleeping together... Zagan wanted her to pass her time doing such things that were completely obvious for a normal family. The fact that she could attain such a thing after losing her real father Orobas was already a miracle in itself.
“The power I have granted you two will surely become a curse that binds you. The price for attaining power is that you will no longer be able to live a life unrelated to
it. That’s why... it’s too early for Foll. I’ll wait for her to grow just a little more.”
“That’s the face of a doting father alright. That little dragon sure is loved, isn’t she? I wish I had a parent who said such things. Let may say so once more... Nice love power!” Gremory said as she let out a wistful sigh. Then, she formed a broad grin and asked, “Hey, my liege. Won’t you become my daddy? Look, I’m a little girl! And I’m not against the idea of being trained into the kind of woman you like, either...”
“Can it,” Zagan brushed her off and waved his hand.
“I’m being relatively serious here, you know?” Gremory sullenly puffed out her cheeks as she said that.
“Look, Kimaris doesn’t like it. Quit it already.”
And perhaps being shaken by those words, Kimaris suddenly dropped Gremory.
“FUGYA!?”
“Oh, sorry Miss Gremory. Did your clothes get dirty?”
“Shouldn’t you be more worried about my face here!?”
And as Zagan gazed at their little quarrel, Kimaris spoke up to change the subject.
“I-In any case, Sir Zagan, did you not have some sort of business with us?”
“Whoops, you’re right,” Zagan replied, as he then lowered his voice and said, “That damn Bifrons is picking a fight again.”
Both Gremory and Kimaris stiffened upon hearing that name. It was only natural. Both of them had nearly died from getting involved with Bifrons before, and protection from that was why they chose to become Zagan’s subordinates in the first place.
“It seems Bifrons’ actual objective is something else. Still, that doesn’t change the fact that Bifrons is looking down on me by doing whatever they want in my territory,” Zagan claimed, then laughed suddenly and struck Kimaris’ broad chest with a thud before saying, “That kind of idiot needs to take a good punch to the face to fix their manners, right?”
Zagan went on to describing the ‘enemy’ that was sent after them. After hearing of what Chastille’s group had fought, Gremory turned pale as a ghost. However, telling them there was nothing to fear, Zagan informed them of one last thing.
“You hear me? That guy will come and mess with us at full force if we let him walk all over us. At this rate, things will go worse than anything we imagine. That’s why I don’t mind you putting ‘that’ to use. Receive them with courtesy and slaughter them.”
“As you will,” Kimaris exclaimed, looking initially surprised before a ferocious smile befitting of a lion rose to his face.
“I must say, the sight of Bifrons frothing at the mouth will be quite the sight,” Gremory added with a delightful laugh. Then, she continued, “Well, we best rid ourselves of Bifrons soon. Otherwise, you’ll never get to have a relaxing date with Lady Nephy.”
“...Hey, Gremory. I don’t think it’s possible... but did you lend Foll that picture book with that in mind?” Zagan asked as his body stiffened.
“Keeheehee, though you two possess superfluous talent, you’re worse than any late bloomers I’ve ever encountered. If I don’t give the two of you a little push, won’t you just end up stuck in the same place forever? Hm? Is that really alright? Nay, it isn’t! I can’t stand just watching anymore!” Gremory proclaimed. As ever, the old granny who just went and did anything she wanted gave Zagan a headache.
Well, it’s true that I had no idea what to do myself... This granny even sent him an extremely descriptive book to very plainly guide him along. If she was just playing a prank, then she could have teased Zagan all she wanted and knocked him down a peg with it.
“...Well, I was really worried about how to make Nephy happy. I guess... I’ll give you my thanks for now,” Zagan gave her his reply, scratching his head all the while.
Gremory stared back in surprise for a moment, and then broke out into laughter.
“There is no greater joy than my liege being pleased with me. After things are done here, you just want to run around singing praises of your love to your heart’s content, huh? Keeheehee...”
“...Can it. Anyway, I’m entrusting the castle to you two.”
“Leave it to us!”
The first time they fought, they were within Bifrons’ domain atop the boat. However, this time around, it would be the opposite. Both the castle and town were Zagan’s domain.
I won’t let you steal anything from me here... Bifrons surely made sufficient preparations, but no matter who it was, nobody had the right to steal what belonged to Zagan.
However, what Zagan, and even Bifrons, didn’t yet know... was that there was one who slipped into his lands outside of their expectations.
◇
“W-Welcome home, Master Zagan.”
After returning to the throne room, Zagan found Nephy waiting for him. He assumed she was stuck making preparations for dinner, but it seemed he was incorrect.
The fact that she’s waiting for me here means that she has something she wants to talk about in private, right? If that were not the case, this girl would surely have waited for him at the castle’s entrance. After observing Nephy’s appearance one more time, he felt like she had something she wanted to talk about. She had her hands joined behind her back and was looking up at Zagan with a look of apprehension on her face. Her pointy ears were quivering about with a twitch with a somehow impatient yet nervous feeling to them.
Uh... the way she’s reacting here doesn’t mean she found out that I was making preparations for that date, right? Zagan had been keeping it a secret so that he could surprise her. He was in a real pickle if she suddenly found out about it.
“Wh-What’s wrong Nephy? Wh-Why are you standing on ceremony like that?” Zagan called out to Nephy despite his nerves getting the best of him.
“Y-Yes, um... actually, there’s something that I would like to give you...” Nephy pulled out a small package wrapped in paper and timidly held it out Zagan as she said that. It was tied together using a bright red ribbon and appeared quite charming.
Is this... what they call a present? Zagan had thought of preparing something himself after getting advice from Kuroka, but he hadn’t yet thought about what to actually get Nephy yet. There was also the matter of Orias’ pendant. And while Zagan was anguishing over all those thoughts, Nephy ended up beating him to the punch.
Wait, hold on. What am I supposed to do when I get a present from the girl I love? Was it something to put up as a decoration? Or wait, was it even something that could be preserved in the first place? He had gotten a flower wreath from Nephy when she turned tiny before, but at that time he was able to keep his composure and use sorcery to stagnate the flow of time to keep it from wilting.
However, this time around it was a different matter. Nephy was back to her usual age, back to the figure that Zagan fell in love with at first sight. The fact that she prepared a present for Zagan just felt like it carried a different emotional weight to it. And so, all Zagan could do before that present was stand frozen in surprise.
Gaaah! Don’t be so weak-willed, Zagan! How can a mighty Archdemon get agitated over such things every single time!? Gah! The ones who don’t get agitated are the strange ones! Even the voice that usually rebuked him in his own mind gave up in an instant. No matter how he put it, this was the first present he ever received from the girl he loved. It was definitely impossible to maintain composure. And while he was shocked, standing there completely speechless, he suddenly noticed that Nephy was looking up at him anxiously.
Oh... That’s right. I have to look inside!
Zagan cleared out his throat with a cough before speaking up.
“Umm, can I open it?”
“Please do.”
Making sure not to damage the wrapping, since he wanted to keep it as a memento, he carefully unraveled it to find knit wool.
“Is this... a muffler?”
It was made of bright red wool and had intricate embroidery decorating its edges in golden thread. This was the first time Zagan ever held one in hand, but he did happen to spot some h
ere and there in town.
“It may be unnecessary for you, since you can use sorcery, but it is starting to get cold outside. That’s why I tried making this... thinking it might be of use to you,” Nephy answered in a hushed voice.
“Wh-What...? This... is handmade!?” Zagan exclaimed, his eyes shooting open in shock upon hearing that.
“Yes.”
“Um, not by sorcery or mysticism, but by knitting...?”
“Yes.”
This wasn’t something that could be done in one or two days through normal means, which meant she had been knitting it for quite some time. That stunning realization moved Zagan deeply. He had been concerned about the coming cold, but all he could think of was teaching her sorcery to deal with it. As the youngest Archdemon in history, it may have been a completely natural thought, but he did see plenty of winter clothing in town. And yet, why hadn’t he been able to arrive at the same conclusion?
I suppose I’m still just a sorcerer at heart... Zagan became keenly aware that despite his hope of allowing Nephy to live under the light, he still had no real idea how that would look.
“Nephy. How... does one use this?” Zagan inquired as his thoughts arrived at a major problem. The people in town had them wrapped around their necks, but no matter what he tried, he couldn’t really get it to work. It felt like he would strangle himself if he put too much strength into his grip, which made him feel bad for the muffler. Having said that, if it was too slack, then it would just fall off right away. It also felt like the ends of the muffler were always too short. And so, with what looked like a charmed smile, Nephy picked up the muffler.
“Excuse me. You wrap it around like this,” Nephy said as she gently wrapped the muffler around Zagan’s neck and let the remaining ends of the muffler fall down his back.
“Hm... It’s quite warm.”
“Does it seem useful?”
“Yes. I like it. Thank you. I’ll treat it with care.”
“...I’m honored,” Nephy hung her head down and turned bright red right to the tips of her ears as she said that. And perhaps because of the cold, her hands, which she had held together in front of her chest, were also red.
An Archdemon's Dilemma: How to Love Your Elf Bride: Volume 5 Page 10