An Archdemon's Dilemma: How to Love Your Elf Bride: Volume 4

by Fuminori Teshima

  “Big Shish Nephterosh is just like me...” Nephy said as she pulled on the hem of Nephteros’ skirt.

  “What? How?”

  “You’re happy that Mashter Zagan is patting your head!”

  “N-No, that’s not true!” Nephteros proclaimed, shaking off Nephy’s hand.

  “S-S-Sorry... I thought... you would be happy...” Nephy sobbed, seemingly shocked by Nephteros’ actions.

  “H-Hold on, this isn’t something to cry over! I’m not mad or anything, I swear! Look, you can have Zagan pat your head to make you feel better, right?” Nephteros turned pale and panicked as tears appeared on Nephy’s face. Then, she lifted Nephy into her arms and stuck her hand out toward Zagan in a plea for help.

  “Hear me, Nephy. Nephteros doesn’t hate you or anything. Even when she’s happy, she’s inclined to feel embarrassed if people point it out. You’d do well to sympathize with her condition.”

  “Really?”

  “Y-Yeah, he’s right...” Nephteros returned a reluctant nod when Nephy directed her innocent eyes at her.

  “I really, really love Big Shish Nephterosh!” Nephy exclaimed, a bright and energetic smile on her face.

  “Urgh... This... Uh... Er... Jeez...” Nephteros let out an exasperated sigh after waffling about for a while. The sight of her being unable to resist Little Nephy was cute. Especially considering the indifference she normally treated her with.

  “Looks like you can’t handle small children, huh?” Zagan teased her over that weakness. In response, she simply let out a snort with a ‘hmph,’ and lowered Nephy to the ground before speaking up.

  “...That’s not true. I just feel bad for them. Children are born free of any sin, right? Even you pretended to drop an apple to bless a waif on the roadside, didn’t you?”

  “...Hold on. How do you even know that?” Zagan’s face stiffened upon hearing her mutter that so nonchalantly.

  The other day, when Zagan traveled to Kianoides with Nephy, he spotted a homeless child squatting down on the corner of a street. And upon seeing that figure overlapping with that of his past, he blessed the child with an apple. Nephy had noticed, since she was right next to him, but she should’ve been the only witness.

  Nephteros suddenly covered her mouth as if it were a slip of the tongue, but it was already too late. Forced to own up to her wrongdoings, she answered his question in a timid tone.

  “Um... Master Bifrons prepared a crystal ball to monitor all of you, and I just so happened to see that happen when I took a quick peek...”

  “That guy’s still being a peeping Tom?”

  “Th-That’s right! I just happened to spot it by chance when Master Bifrons was peeping!”

  Don’t tell me Nephteros was peeping because she wanted to get along with Nephy? Zagan shot a look full of suspicion at her when he heard her flustered tone.

  No matter how he looked at it, Zagan felt that this case didn’t involve Bifrons at all. If Bifrons were involved, they wouldn’t have just remained a spectator the entire time. Though, that left him wondering why Nephteros couldn’t get along with Nephy when she was so concerned about her.

  Still, I’d better stop now. I feel like this girl will act more stubborn if I keep teasing her... Perhaps that was the key difference between her and Chastille, who could put up with being teased for ages, but would rebound at the next moment’s notice.

  Chastille’s ability to recover from insults was something else. She had a sturdiness to her that was akin to a weed. And because of that, people who teased her often forgot how to hold back and enjoyed themselves at her expense.

  On the other hand, Nephteros didn’t feel like as much of an easy target. Though, that made teasing her more fun. Still, Zagan was the one who labeled her his guest, so he knew he had to end things there.

  “Well, I don’t have any interest in what you lot are up to, so just tell Bifrons to keep the peeping in moderation. Next time, I won’t let it go that easily...” Zagan slightly shrugged his shoulders as he responded.

  “I-I’ll pass that message on...” Nephteros nodded. Though, Zagan felt like he heard her mutter ‘My apologies, Master Bifrons...’ to herself.

  “Hohoo, giving an apple to a waif whose name you don’t even know. I see. My Archdemon is quite generous, isn’t he?” Gremory donned an impish smile as she remarked on their exchange.

  “I just did it on a whim. There isn’t enough food in the world to feed every poor brat I see.”

  He was exaggerating, and if someone asked whether he would do it again, his honest response would be yes. However, he’d be a liar if he said he wanted to save all the world’s children. Zagan wasn’t a saint who cared for all the innocent people of the world. In fact, he had no qualms slugging a child who shamelessly begged him for food while acting like they deserved his charity.

  “But given time, would you not receive a reward?” Gremory nodded in satisfaction as she made that claim.

  “Don’t be stupid. What will I ever get from some brat who’s groveling on the side of the road?”

  Such children didn’t have much use. Their main worth was as a sacrifice, but Zagan despised sorcery that was fueled by mortal life. And frankly, taking their life over a single apple seemed unfair.

  Gremory broke out into jolly laughter upon hearing Zagan’s answer. And then, she spread open her mantle and spun around on the spot. When she finally came to a stop, she was about the same height as Foll. That made Zagan think she reverted to her old woman form, but...

  “Keeheehee, this is the reward I was talking about...” Gremory took on the form of a ten year old girl. She had twisting goat horns, but her hands looked all squishy, and her facial features were quite tender. Plus, the way she blinked with sparkling eyes was the very definition of pure innocence. It was hard to believe that the rebellious old woman was once so charming.

  Nephy and Foll clapped their hands at the sight.

  “Mish Gremory, that’s amazing!”

  “That’s so cool, Gremory. Teach me how to do that!”

  “Fufu. That’s right. Praise me more! I’m lauded as genius even among fomorians, so you’re lucky you get to witness a display of my skill!” Gremory puffed out her chest in pride as she was showered with praise by the two girls.

  How’d someone this cute turn into that old bat? Gremory had thrown Zagan for a loop, and he gradually started to doubt that this young girl and that old woman were one and the same. Setting the grim-faced Zagan aside, Gremory beckoned Nephy and Foll over to her.

  “You two, lend me your ears. You listening? Mrmrmrmrmr...”

  “Yes! Understood!”

  “What’s the point of doing that?”

  Despite Foll’s protests, the three of them joined hands, with Nephy at their center, and lined up in front of Zagan. And then, the three young girls they spoke in unison.

  “I love you sooo much, Daddy!”

  “H-Hnnngh...!”

  So cute! I just want to hug them all tight! Zagan fell to his knees. That was something that had never happened, regardless of the trials he faced. Zagan stood firm when he fought against an Archangel head-on, when he came face to face with the twelve Archdemons, when he fought against the demon chimera, and even when he had the Sludge Demon Lord right before his eyes. But here he was, reduced to such a state from a single phrase.

  Now that I think of it, I’ve never been called ‘Daddy’ or anything before, huh? That made sense, since Zagan’s only daughter was Foll, and she only ever referred to him by name. Unfortunately, because of that, he had never experienced the destructive power of that word.

  One of them was Gremory, yet he still had the urge to lovingly raise all three of them. After all, if he put in enough effort, wouldn’t it be possible to raise Gremory as a quiet daughter? He was so far gone that he was even harboring such unrealistic delusions.

  Nevertheless, Zagan was an Archdemon. Even as his body trembled, he stood back up.

  “Hey, what are you planning... Gremory?”
/>
  “Keeheehee, don’t you remember what I said? This is a reward that you can receive from children. Honest words of gratitude are quite satisfying, right?” Gremory said as she clung to his leg. Then, she laughed and smiled at him.

  If it were only Gremory, then he would have just brush her aside for being an idiot, but Nephy and Foll’s presence made him want to embrace them all. It was absolutely impossible to drive them away.

  “Zagan, do you want me to call you ‘Daddy’?” Foll tilted her head to the side as she asked him that question.

  “Erk... Well, I can’t say I hate the idea...” Zagan croaked out a meek response.

  “Got it. I’ll practice...” Foll nodded as if she was deliberating the matter as she replied to him.

  Foll was the only actual child among the three of them, which must have made her pretty confused about the whole situation... Though, that didn’t mean she found it any less embarrassing. Zagan could see that her cheeks were turning red.

  “Ehehe, so Mashter Zagan is my daddy, right? I thought I didn’t have one...” Nephy innocently rubbed her face against Zagan’s leg as she said that. And upon hearing those words, Zagan was completely taken aback.

  “What do you mean, Nephy? Do you not know your parents?”

  “Um, I don’t really know... It’s just, Mashter Zagan was the first person who held my hand and treated me nice like a parent would...”

  Did Nephy currently only have memories from when she was around five years old? That would add up, since she was persecuted at the time, but her not even knowing her parents felt weird. She clearly understood the concept of parental relations and families, so her not knowing must have meant she’d never even met them. And while Zagan ruminated over that fact, Nephy looked up at him anxiously.

  “Did I... say something bad again?”

  “No, not at all. Have I ever even scolded you before?” Zagan lined up his sight with Nephy’s by going down on one knee, then spoke as if admonishing her. And, as the tips of Nephy’s ears quivered happily, she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him into an embrace.

  “Mashter Zagan, I love you so much!”

  Zagan brushed her hair as he thought over what she’d said mere moments ago.

  “Did I... say something bad again?” He felt that wasn’t a statement a small child should repeat so often.

  It’s probably something she got used to saying because she blamed herself for how the other elves treated her... In other words, Nephy had reverted to her default mannerisms from back then. The reason she could smile constantly was because this was before she shut her heart away for good.

  Why am I hated? What do I have to do to get everyone to like me? Back then, she surely harbored such thoughts. And if she were to grow up under Zagan’s care from that day forward, Nephy may have been able to live without the burden of her more painful memories. After all, even Zagan’s childhood memories had grown fuzzy by the time he was a teen.

  “Little Nephy, children don’t do anything bad. They simply do the wrong things when they aren’t taught properly. That’s why there’s nothing for you to be afraid of here...” Kimaris squatted down in front of Nephy and smiled at her as he said that. Maybe he had come to the same conclusion as Zagan.

  “...Really?”

  “Of course.”

  “Then, is it okay for me to ask for something selfish?” Nephy pleaded with him while twiddling her fingers together, and Kimaris smiled right back at her.

  “By all means, ask for anything you want.”

  Nephy’s face brightened up due to his response. And then, she spoke to him with a grand smile on her face.

  “Can I... ruffle up your mane, Shir Kimry?”

  “Ruffle...?” Kimaris stared back at her in wonder. He had never in his wildest dreams expected such a request.

  “I guess... I can’t?”

  “No, I do not mind. Go right ahead.”

  “Yaaaay, thank you! I love Shir Kimry, too!” Nephy said as she began ruffling his mane. Then, she brushed it all the way up to his chin, which made Kimaris let out a voice that was a mix of happiness and embarrassment.

  “I’ll... have to remain in my beast form for a while huh?”

  “Sorry, Kimaris...” Zagan thought back on it, and he quickly realized that Kimaris spent a lot of time in the castle in his lion form. He always assumed that was because Foll had liked it, but maybe Kimaris just enjoyed spending time with children.

  “The hell are you former Archdemon candidates doing? This ain’t the time to goof off with brats! Don’t you remember the situation we’re in?” Barbatos chastised them with a snort.

  “Shir Boboto, are you angry?” Nephy made a surprised face upon hearing his complaints.

  “It’s Barbatos.”

  “Yes, Shir Boboto.”

  “Ugh... Whatever, that’s fine,” Barbatos said, giving up on correcting her. It seemed his name was quite difficult to pronounce.

  Haven’t you mellowed out, too? Perhaps he was just lonely because nobody was paying attention to him. Barbatos’ reaction was so underwhelming that his true feelings were called into doubt. And even as he grimaced, he squatted down in front of Nephy.

  “You hear me, you lil’ brat? Seems like Zagan can’t act all tough in front of you. Now’s the time to be selfish and cause him all sorts of trouble, you hear?”

  “You can’t trouble Mashter Zagan!”

  “Oh, come on, didn’t that lion there tell you to ask for whatever you want? Brats like you exist to trouble adults. And hey, I bet that guy’ll be happier if you do. Right? Don’t you also want to make Zagan happi— Erk?” Zagan mercilessly drove his fist into the head of the villain who was attempting to corrupt such a pure girl.

  “Hear me, Nephy. Do not follow the words of suspicious adults, okay?”

  “Yes, Mashter Zagan! But isn’t Shir Boboto also a good person?”

  “I’m not so sure about that...” Zagan glared at Barbatos, who let out an uncomfortable snort as he said that. And while all that was going on, Nephteros finally recovered from her unrest, and she let out a sigh.

  “All of you... really are taking it easy, huh?” Nephteros was likely just talking to herself, but upon hearing that, Gremory formed a broad grin.

  “Hey, Big Sis, play with meee!”

  “Play!” Foll jumped up and embraced her, following Gremory’s lead.

  “Ah, h-hey, what are you doing? Cut it out!” Nephteros protested.

  “Big Shish, please play with me!” Nephy finally chimed in as she joined the other two girls.

  “Erk, you little...” Nephteros wanted to protest again, but she remembered that being cold to Nephy had reduced her to tears mere moments ago. And though she looked extremely conflicted about the matter, she eventually slumped her shoulders to signal her resignation.

  “...Well, what do you want to do?”

  “Let’s play tag!”

  “Let’s go sing!”

  “Let’s go pick flowers!”

  “Narrow it down a little!” Nephteros quipped back at them in anger, which made the three little girls giggle. Though, she wasn’t actually all that mad. Sure, there was a bitter expression on her face, but she actually wanted to spend time with them.

  “What’s going on here?” Chastille remarked as she walked out of the elder’s manor.

  Gremory had transformed into a little girl, Kimaris was being used as a chair by three little girls, Barbatos had collapsed, and Nephteros was playing around with them.

  Considering Chastille’s perspective of things, this was a truly messed up situation. However, Zagan simply shook his head like it was no big deal.

  “Everyone needs a little downtime once in a while.”

  “Downtime, you say? Aren’t we in danger right now?”

  “Oh, no. Don’t worry. We’re perfectly safe. I’ll just blow this village to smithereens when we want to get out of this barrier,” Zagan casually remarked casually.

  “Y-You’re going to blow it
up...? Isn’t this Nephy’s hometown?”

  “And...? Well, just think of that as our last resort. More importantly, did you find anything?” Zagan had called her back earlier, but Chastille continued her investigation of the manor instead of responding to his call. That had to mean something.

  “Yeah.” Chastille said with a nod. Then, she continued by saying, “I found a hidden compartment in the village elder’s room. And this is what I found stored inside...” Chastille pulled a single book out from behind her back. It was handwritten, just like the village journals, but upon seeing the title, Zagan squinted his eyes.

  “Do you understand the meaning of the words on the cover?”

  “No, I can’t read the elven language... Is it something important?”

  “Well, yeah...” Zagan was excited by the sight. And of course he was, since it was exactly what he had been looking for. Still, he wondered whether it was really alright for him to look through the contents. He agonized over that decision, but finally decided he could not pass up on the clue Chastille had found. This was no time to hesitate. And so, Zagan accepted the journal.

  “Was this book the only thing you found?”

  “No, this was hidden alongside it...” Chastille held up a single pendant as she said that. Though, perhaps pendant wasn’t a suitable word. It looked more like an arrowhead that had been strung up. It wasn’t all that large, but it had ten jewels set in its surface and a crest like that of a tree carved into it.

  “It’s not a crest used for sorcery, but I’ve seen this before. If I remember correctly, it’s called the ‘Tree of Life,’ and it is a symbol that represents Celestian... You found that beside this journal?” Zagan nodded deeply as he questioned Chastille.

  “Yeah. It looks like an antique, but I can’t tell what it’s worth,” Chastille replied, nodding right back at Zagan.

  “Why don’t you just hand that over to me...”

  “Oh, okay...”

  It looked to be made of silver, but that wasn’t the case. The thing was endowed with frighteningly powerful mana, and tapping it with his nail was enough to convince Zagan that it was far sturdier than any normal sword. It was so strong that it almost felt as if it was made by kneading together mana itself...