Ch.118[Episode 118] The Conclusion of the Incident

The Chief of Staff’s physical abilities were at a quite high level.

Even a casual kick from him could send a human flying.

So when he put all his strength into kicking a mere stuffed doll, it naturally flew far away.

Princess Teu Le Vante was startled by this situation and tried to go after Sir Dominic, but the Chief of Staff grabbed the Demon Lord’s arm.

“Let’s go. Back home.”

“!”

The Chief of Staff held the Demon Lord’s arm.

But if she returned now, she might never see Sir Dominic again.

The Demon Lord didn’t want to lose the stuffed doll she had grown so fond of.

Though it had only been a few days, she had become quite attached to it.

“!”

The Demon Lord called out to Sir Dominic and Alice.

It was a cry for help.

“Master! My friend is asking for help!”

“Yes, let’s do that.”

Sir Dominic was a knight who couldn’t refuse someone desperately asking for help.

Of course, Princess Teu Le Vante’s intention was for them to get the Chief of Staff off her, but Sir Dominic and Alice immediately ran toward where the doll had flown.

Subduing the Chief of Staff would be difficult, and even if they succeeded, it would take too long.

Sir Dominic looked in the direction the doll had flown.

Fortunately, the doll had been kicked so high that it hadn’t gone too far.

Sir Dominic had only one eye.

Perhaps because of this, his depth perception was somewhat off, but drawing on his experience deflecting arrows, he estimated the distance.

Of course, it wasn’t perfect.

After entering an alley, Sir Dominic realized he had made a big mistake.

The expected landing spot for Sir Dominic was one more alley over.

“We’ll be too late at this rate.”

Little Sir Dominic, who had soared to the sky, began falling back down.

Sir Dominic’s one remaining eye quickly surveyed the surroundings.

He spotted a nearby building with external stairs leading to the roof.

If he jumped from that building’s roof to the opposite alley, he might just barely catch the doll.

With that thought, Sir Dominic began climbing the stairs.

Alice simply followed behind him.

Reaching the rooftop, Sir Dominic calculated that he could catch Little Sir Dominic if he jumped from here.

Instinctively, Sir Dominic leaped from the edge of the roof.

He stretched out his hand toward the doll.

Do dolls have survival instincts?

At least Little Sir Dominic seemed to, extending its soft hand toward Sir Dominic in an effort to survive.

Though its short arms weren’t much help.

Sir Dominic reached his apex and began to fall.

And he successfully grabbed Little Sir Dominic.

Thinking it fortunate that at least the little Demon Lord wouldn’t have to cry, Sir Dominic began plummeting toward the ground.

But Sir Dominic had forgotten one thing.

“Master!”

Sir Dominic heard someone calling him from directly above.

Hastily looking up, he saw Alice falling just like him.

Since Alice was currently considered Sir Dominic’s “equipment,” she wouldn’t be harmed even if left alone, but the chivalry deeply ingrained in Sir Dominic’s heart whispered to him.

How could someone who fails to protect a child deserve to be called a knight?

Sir Dominic hurriedly reached out to catch the falling Alice.

But one of his hands held his shield and the other held Little Sir Dominic, leaving no free hands.

Then he would have to remove his shield first.

With that thought, Sir Dominic quickly discarded his shield and caught the falling Alice.

Holding her tightly, he hit the ground.

There was a loud THUD as the shield hit the ground.

And then another THUD as Sir Dominic landed.

“Master! Are you okay?”

Alice coughed through the dust cloud raised by the impact and asked Sir Dominic.

“I’m fine. How about you?”

Sir Dominic noticed that both Alice and the doll were safe, but he asked again just to be sure.

“You already know!”

Alice smiled brightly, apparently having enjoyed the fall.

This was the full account of what had just happened.

Sir Dominic dusted off his clothes.

For some reason, Little Sir Dominic also pretended to pat off dust from its body, mimicking Sir Dominic.

“We succeeded, right?”

Sir Dominic had successfully completed his journey to protect the Demon Lord Princess Teu Le Vante’s childlike innocence.

“I think so.”

Alice raised both arms high in a victory pose in response to Sir Dominic’s words.

“!”

Little Sir Dominic also followed Alice, raising its short arms.

Though they barely reached above its cheeks.

“Little Sir Dominic!”

As the dust settled, someone’s cry and the sound of running footsteps came from the alley.

“Oh my goodness! It really is Little Sir Dominic!”

Sir Dominic looked at the person approaching with excitement.

Surprisingly, it was someone he had met frequently.

It was I’m Not Little.

I’m Not Little was overjoyed at this surprising reunion.

How could Little Sir Dominic, which had been openly stolen by a thief, be here?

“…Is it yours?”

Sir Dominic asked.

“Yes! It was stolen by a thief a few days ago, but why is it here…”

Sir Dominic stared at I’m Not Little.

Having often seen those who used schemes and tricks on the battlefield, and having frequently witnessed power struggles with such people, Sir Dominic could tell her words were true.

This would complicate matters.

Sir Dominic rubbed his forehead as if he had a headache.

“Actually, this doll currently has a different owner.”

He wasn’t sure if the child was the thief, but Sir Dominic didn’t think that was the case.

“I am the owner of this doll.”

I’m Not Little’s voice rose.

A dispute over the ownership of a doll. This was the first such scene he’d witnessed since Count Alesto left a will bequeathing all his property to his doll.

Alice observed the situation carefully.

She didn’t know who this person was, but it was clear they were the original owner.

But charity begins at home, and Alice wanted to give Princess Teu Le Vante a chance too.

“Um, how about talking with my friend?”

Finally, she came up with a pretty good suggestion.

“Talk?”

I’m Not Little responded to Alice’s words.

“Yes. She’s a Demon Lord.”

“A Demon Lord?”

I’m Not Little’s face turned pale.

As godlike as Stars might be, Demon Lords were equally divine beings.

In most mythologies, Demon Lords and gods were nearly equivalent entities.

“Hmm…”

I’m Not Little realized this wasn’t a problem that could be resolved normally.

She quickly racked her brain.

Then, as her head cooled and she became more rational, I’m Not Little’s gaze turned to Sir Dominic.

And a brilliant idea flashed through her mind.

“Sir Dominic?”

“…? What is it?”

Sir Dominic looked questioningly at I’m Not Little, who was approaching with a sly smile.

“Are you interested in merchandise?”

“Merchandise?”

Sir Dominic echoed.

“What’s merchandise?”

“Products. Products related to Sir Dominic.”

I’m Not Little opened her outer garment.

Inside were stiffly laminated photos documenting Sir Dominic’s glorious moments.

“Things like this. For Sir Dominic’s fans… fan service? Simply put, it’s similar to giving flowers or glory to a lady at a jousting tournament… something like that!”

Yes.

The best solution I’m Not Little had thought of.

It was to make this doll an official product.

That way, fans like I’m Not Little would have somewhere to spend their money, and they wouldn’t have to fight with the Demon Lord.

Since Sir Dominic would get a portion of the profits, it wasn’t a bad proposal for him either.

“Is that necessary?”

However, Sir Dominic was quite harsh on himself.

It was a statement befitting someone who had only allowed 10 of his cards to be produced, thinking, “Surely these cards won’t sell?”

“They say that the amount spent trying to draw Sir Dominic’s cards could bankrupt seven dimensions.”

I’m Not Little said seriously.

“Since a Demon Lord is involved this time, it might only end with one or two dimensions, but it’s still a huge cost.”

“Dimensions?”

Sir Dominic’s expression was one of shock at I’m Not Little’s words.

“Surely it wouldn’t go that f—”

“That’s exactly it! So let’s be more generous! Let’s give back to the fans properly this time by printing additional character cards! Making merchandise! Everyone else does it, so why aren’t there any Sir Dominic goods, aaaaargh!”

I’m Not Little suddenly exploded.

In truth, she had been sustaining her desires through self-sufficiency, but that could only last so long.

The slowly accumulated frustration burst forth like flowing water in response to Sir Dominic’s words.

After catching her breath with a hiss, I’m Not Little suddenly realized what she had done and felt embarrassed.

I’m Not Little’s face turned bright red.

“A-Anyway, this way everyone—me, the Demon Lord, and you—can be satisfied. Yes.”

Having reached this conclusion, I’m Not Little glanced at Sir Dominic.

She seemed truly embarrassed about her outburst.

“Excuse me—”

Sir Dominic, I’m Not Little, Alice, and Little Sir Dominic all looked toward the source of the voice.

“Um, can we arrest that person lying over there? Your debate is fine, but you’re blocking the way…”

That’s right.

The police duo was still in the alley.

I’m Not Little stared blankly at the officers, then realized that her behavior had been completely exposed, causing her already red face to turn even redder.