Ch.332The World’s NPCs in Uproar (7)

“So, what’s with that demon?”

“Hmm? This is my slave. Hey, slave.”

“Y-yes, master!!! I am Lili, the demon slave of the Headmaster!! I-I’m a high-ranking demon of lust!!!”

When I approached the Headmaster instead of immediately following the group that had taken Ragni away, she widened her eyes in surprise but promptly introduced the demon. Well, “introduced” might not be the right word—she was literally kicking it like a slave. The demon’s voice even cracked as if genuinely terrified.

“You’re controlling a demon as a slave, not a spirit? I never imagined such a thing.”

“Don’t put this trash on the same level as spirits. And listen well before I kill you—this bitch is a demon sent by the Empire to target Ragni and Ira.”

“Oh. Should I kill her then?”

“Hiiieek?!!!”

I wasn’t particularly interested in the demon itself. With that pink hair and clothes clearly designed to seduce men, I had already guessed she was a lust-type demon. But this unexpected information caught my attention. I clenched my fist, genuinely contemplating whether to kill this bitch or not. The Headmaster frowned and blocked my path, saying, “I told you not to kill her.” Fine, I was just kidding.

“You were serious.”

“Was it that obvious?”

“I’m sorry! I’m sorry!! Please spare me!!”

What kind of treatment had she received that made her prostrate herself, pressing her horns to the floor in apology just because I clenched my fist? I was curious about what the Headmaster had done to this demon, but that wasn’t what I really wanted to know.

“Greed—did you only manage to kill the main body?”

“This one confidently claimed she could track demons, so I entrusted her with the task. But she only kept finding fragments day and night. Eventually, I sensed a familiar energy and found the main body myself. Three fragments, one main body. That’s how I handled it.”

The Headmaster immediately answered my question, but despite her good results, she seemed dissatisfied, grimacing again before kicking the demon’s backside. Well, I can understand her frustration.

“Did you know that even if Greed’s main body dies, the fragments don’t disappear?”

“Yes. That’s why I told you. If you can’t gather and eliminate them all at once, it becomes incredibly troublesome.”

“Tch. The depth and meaning of your words were different. You should have clearly stated that the fragments wouldn’t disappear properly.”

The Headmaster didn’t seem particularly curious about how I knew this information and didn’t question me further. So, I guess I can continue asking questions?

“What about that defensive magic? The barrier around the capital—how was it? If even you couldn’t break it, it must be no joke.”

“…Indeed. To say it doesn’t pale in comparison to the barrier the Spirit King placed on Neytie would be an understatement. Even if the Spirit King himself were maintaining the barrier, it wouldn’t be this sturdy.”

“So even with your strength, breaking through it by force is impossible,” said the Headmaster, looking in the direction where Ragni and our companions had disappeared. It’s good to stop Ragni from going in alone, but there’s no alternative. She knows that too, which is why she insisted on going alone. But why can only those of royal blood enter?

“My guess is either they incorporated royal blood into the artifact’s magic, or the artifact itself was designed to protect only the relatives of its activator. Well, without seeing the magic formula directly, it’s impossible to determine which is correct.”

“…So there really is no other way besides sending Ragni in alone?”

This is what I wanted to ask. I had no intention of sending Ragni alone and hoped the Headmaster had some alternative plan. Even if it took time, even if many imperial citizens inside died—that would be their fault, not our responsibility. I don’t want to put Ragni in danger.

“Sigh. Well. If my latter guess is correct, there might be a way.”

“Oh? What is it? The latter means it only protects relatives, right? Is there a way to trick the magic?”

“I’ve already tried that. I transformed into that assistant girl and even used illusion magic, but I was repelled without effect.”

“Then what? What’s this other method you mentioned?”

When I asked more seriously, the Headmaster sighed deeply and explained her theory to me.

Oh. Wow. Um. I see.

“What will you do? Again, I’m not certain about this.”

“…Well, if there’s no other option, we have to try. In any case, I have no intention of sending Ragni in alone.”

“In that case. You should know I won’t be able to enter.”

“Uh, hmm. Wouldn’t it work for you too, Headmaster?”

“Are you insane? Don’t tell me you’re suggesting I should…”

No, not that!! As the Headmaster began looking at me like I was some kind of insect, I quickly corrected her misunderstanding. Damn it, I don’t want that either, you old hag!!

“…Right, that might be possible. Well, we’ll have to see when we get there. Anyway, keep an eye on that stupid assistant. One month and a half. She may look fine on the outside, but she hasn’t been sleeping or eating properly while engaging in battles and operations, so she’s not fine inside.”

“Yes. I know. Then, I’ll go to Ragni now.”

“Very well.”

After finishing our necessary conversation, I gave a slight bow and left the room, lightly kicking the backside of the demon who was still apologizing with her head to the floor. Hmm, I should ask Luxuria later if she knows this demon.

*

“Unnie. You shouldn’t go to dangerous places alone. That’s what you told me. Remember?”

“Uh, um, yes.”

“And you should always tell someone before you go somewhere. That’s what Oppa and both of you unnies always told me. Remember?”

“Y-yes, I do.”

“Then, is it okay or not okay to go off alone like this?”

“But that’s because Ira is young. I’m already over twenty…”

“Didn’t you say that adults should be even better at following the rules?”

“Ugh. I-I did say that…”

“So, were you wrong or not?”

“…I’m sorry.”

It’s almost amusing to watch Ira scolding Ragni in another room, with Ragni trying to argue back but getting shut down each time. Moreover…

“Lady Ira, isn’t your lap getting sore? Even with me supporting…”

“No. Gor’s knees are cool and soft, so Unnie would fall asleep right away. She needs to be fully scolded before she can lie down!”

“Hehe. Make her cry her eyes out!”

“Uuuu…”

With Ragni’s head resting on Ira’s lap and Ira counting off each point with her fingers, it’s like watching a child imitating their mother. Of course, Ira couldn’t possibly have memories of her mother. But it’s cute, so it’s fine.

“I’m really sorry. But this was my stubbornness. I didn’t want to involve you all…”

“But we got involved, didn’t we?”

“And ended up fighting a Seven Deadly Sins-level demon, I might add.”

“Ugh…”

“Unnie, if that’s the case, shouldn’t you have asked our Oppa to protect you from the beginning? Or do you not trust Oppa anymore?”

“Gah!”

The combined attack from Rey and Gor, plus Ira raising her eyebrow and pointing her index finger right at Ragni’s nose, left her completely speechless. She really looks like she’s about to cry. Ira making Ragni cry—that’s a rare sight.

“Besides. Do you know how you look right now? Your skin, which is normally pale, is now completely white! How long have you gone without sleeping or eating? We were planning to scold you as soon as we arrived with Oppa, but when you showed up looking like that, do you know how worried we were?!”

“T-that’s because I really did take care of myself somewhat…”

“Did you ‘somewhat’ eat and sleep until your HP was halved? Or did you eat properly but get beaten up by someone and sustain injuries?”

“Oh, is that so?! Should we undress her? I have potions.”

“Waaah. I’m sorry, I get it. I was wrong. Don’t undress me…”

“I’m not hurt,” she started to whimper, looking so adorable that I couldn’t help but quietly watch. Then Ira delivered the final blow.

“Unnie, we’re family. If you disappear like you’re running away, do we worry or not?”

“…I’m sorry for making you worry. Thank you for caring.”

“Hmm! Since you were wrong, you shouldn’t cry just because you got scolded a little! Right?”

“Uuu… I understand. I won’t cry. Yes, I’m sorry.”

“Hehe. It’s fortunate that Ira is so good with words. She’s saying everything we wanted to say.”

“If it had been you or me speaking, she would still be arguing back fiercely. Isn’t that right, Master?”

“Ah! Oppa!!”

“Eeh? W-when did you start watching?!”

Gor, who was the only one who noticed me suppressing my presence at the doorway, smiled and spoke up. Ragni, who seemed like she couldn’t take it anymore, tried to suddenly rise from Ira’s lap with teary eyes, but Ira pushed her forehead back down. Kekek, this is really cute.

“I’ve been listening since ‘You shouldn’t go to dangerous places alone.’ So, did Ira scold you until you cried?”

“Yes! I scolded her! Now Unnie is tired, so I’m going to put her to sleep!”

“Please… I’m sorry, at least let me move to Gor’s lap…”

“Hmm? Unnie, you don’t like my lap after all? I wanted you to rest comfortably…”

“Waaah…!!”

“Oh, she’s crying.”

“She finally made her cry.”

It seems Ira’s gentle scolding penetrated deep into Ragni’s weakened state. As Ragni started to shed pearl-like tears and covered her eyes with the back of her hand, Ira frantically gestured to Gor for a handkerchief. Without a word, understanding her request, Gor pulled out a handkerchief from his pocket and handed it to Ira.

As Ira gently wiped Ragni’s face, Ragni’s tears only flowed more strongly.

Well, being scolded by a child more than 10 years younger than you for causing worry isn’t easy.

“Unnie, let’s sleep now. Okay? Don’t cry. After sleeping and waking up, we’ll eat, rest, and then do everything together. Oppa is here too. Understand?”

“*Sniff* Yes. Yes. Thank you. Yes.”

Finally succumbing to Ira’s scolding, Ragni slowly began to drift off to sleep. I approached and lifted Ragni’s head onto my thigh. Now, Ira, you lie down on the other side.

“Hmm? But I’m not sleepy.”

“If Ragni wakes up at night, you’ll be sleepy then, right? Then we won’t have time to talk. So it’s better to sleep now.”

“Ah! Okay!!”

“Hooh, shall we sleep too?”

“Hmm. I can’t pass up the chance to use Master’s arm as a pillow.”

“…Why did it turn out like this?”

Ignoring my quiet protest, Rey and Gor placed Ira on my arm and then proceeded to occupy my legs and arms. Rey even gently embraced Ragni, who was now breathing softly in her sleep, as if not wanting to let her go. My limbs were completely sealed.

Haha, what is this all of a sudden?

“Ehehe, Oppa, let’s sleep. It’s been so long since we took a nap together!”

“…You’re right. It’s been a really long time since I took a nap with Ira.”

“Hehe. Isn’t this the first time the whole family has slept together?”

“Since Master only recently resolved to make ‘everyone family,’ this would indeed be the first time.”

At Gor’s meaningful words, delivered with a slight smile, I felt my heart race, but I didn’t deny it. Yeah, I finally got to reunite with all of you after being separated, so what does it matter?

With Gor on my left arm, Ira on my right, and Ragni and Rey on both my legs, I closed my eyes. Even with my entire body pinned down, is it okay to be this happy? That was the only thought in my mind as I drifted into this afternoon nap.