CHAPTER 42……………………………………………
Ugh.
Zenya, seeing their clingy behavior, flinched, lowered her hand, and subtly pushed Lumiere away.
Judging by Leraije’s sly grin, I roughly understood what they were thinking.
Zenya turned her body as if nothing had happened and looked at the Demon King. He glanced between the two of them, clicked his tongue, and said:
“Romance comes later.”
Even though his words were irritating, she forced a smile, showing only the barest reaction.
“Where are we going?”
The Demon King sneered at Zenya’s question.
“Curious, are you?”
Better not react—any sign of weakness now would only hurt her. Zenya just smiled as if unfazed, and the Demon King, who had been glaring at them displeased, spoke.
“We’re going to the village right ahead.”
Leraije followed up with an explanation.
“We’ll stop by briefly to gather news from the human world before moving on.”
“Gather news from the human world?”
“After all, news from the Demon World is always a step behind.”
Leraije winked.
“And I’m the expert at digging up and finding information.”
Pleased with himself for being the best at seeking hidden treasures and rumors, Leraije received a polite clap from Zenya out of reflex.
“Impressive,” she muttered before asking another question.
“How long will we stay?”
“Until the information we want comes in. I don’t know how long that will take, but it’s a fairly large village, so there’ll be things to see.”
“I see.”
Just as she was about to continue questioning, the Demon King cut off their conversation.
“That’s enough explanation. Let’s move.”
Without waiting for a reply, he strode ahead. Arbitrary and self-centered, just like a Demon King. Zenya exchanged a glance with Lumiere and started walking—but after a few steps, a question came to mind.
“Are we… walking?”
Magic? They were both demons capable of using magic.
“Yes. Walking.”
The answer came back as if it were obvious. Zenya asked again.
“Is it close?”
“About a two-hour walk.”
“Two hours?”
Two hours on this mountain path? Zenya opened her mouth in disbelief. The Demon King smirked.
“If it’s too much, I’ll carry you. Ask me to.”
He clearly had overheard their conversation. That he hadn’t bluntly reminded them about using charms was proof of that.
But confirming that he really had heard it irritated her. Eavesdropping and then deliberately rubbing their nerves the wrong way!
Zenya glared at the Demon King, then looked up at Lumiere, whose hand gently supported her back. Their eyes met, and Lumiere smiled warmly.
Seeing him seemingly unfazed by the Demon King’s words helped calm the surge of emotion she had felt.
Zenya smiled faintly and looked ahead again, speaking as if only a certain someone should hear:
“Since I have permission, I’ll let you know if I’m really tired.”
“Yes.”
“Hah!”
With Lumiere’s firm reply came the Demon King’s sound of disbelief. He turned to face them, but Leraije grabbed his arm and began chattering.
“Your Majesty! Regarding today’s schedule…”
Zenya silently thanked Leraije with a wink. Deflecting the Demon King’s attention lifted her mood considerably.
Finally able to look around, she noticed the unique brightness and green of the human world, so different from the Demon Realm.
So this is really the human world.
Zenya, forgetting her surroundings, looked around with a radiant expression.
Zenya now looked down at her aching legs when Lumiere asked from beside her:
“Do you want me to carry you, Zenya?”
Seeing Lumiere so energetic, she almost wanted to throw herself into his arms.
As she seriously considered it, Leraije, about ten steps ahead, called out cheerfully:
“Zenya, we’re almost there!”
Leraije pushed aside a branch and pointed in a direction. Following him, Zenya soon saw a city wall.
“A wall… at this rate, isn’t it a city rather than a village?”
As she examined the high walls, the Demon King ordered Leraije:
“Leraije, put on your robe before entering the village.”
“Huh?”
“Your silver hair stands out too much, so wear the robe.”
A perfectly reasonable statement. His silver hair was far too conspicuous.
Nodding in agreement at the rare sensible advice, Leraije asked in awe:
“Did Your Majesty compliment my hair for shining like starlight?”
What part of that did the Demon King mean? But Leraije’s expression was utterly sincere.
“I will never cut this hair again.”
What?
Her mouth fell into a straight line from disbelief. The Demon King, equally bewildered, took a step back.
“…Do as you like.”
Leraije snapped his fingers in delight and put on a bright silver robe, almost matching his hair.
“Is this enough, Your Majesty?”
“Yes. Let’s go.”
A bit flashy, but better than leaving his hair exposed.
The Demon King gave a lazy reply and started walking—but this time Zenya stopped him.
“Your Majesty, are you really going like this?”
“What?”
Zenya frowned and pointed to the hood attached to his robe.
“You should wear the hood too.”
“I’m wearing black. You didn’t wear yours.”
Does he not realize his face stands out? Now is the time to care about the color?
Zenya swallowed her words and said as gently as possible:
“Your face is the most conspicuous, so wear the hood.”
The Demon King just blinked.
Well, whatever.
Zenya held his gaze blankly; he averted his eyes slightly and cleared his throat.
‘Could he be… embarrassed?’
Because she pointed out his mistake? Or complimented his face?
As Zenya awkwardly followed his gaze, Leraije interjected.
“Of course! Anyone would turn to look at Your Majesty’s face—it’s an unforgettable masterpiece…!”
Her fuss ended with one sharp look from the Demon King. His mouth seemed magically sealed.
With a sigh, the Demon King pulled the hood over his head. When he looked at her for confirmation, Zenya nodded. Lumiere then took her hand.
Why was he doing that? Zenya tilted her head.
“Why?”
“…Nothing.”
His pursed lips clearly showed some dissatisfaction—but he had no intention of speaking.
Zenya, watching the advancing demons, tugged his hand.
She could ask later why he acted this way.
Moments later, entering the city, Zenya muttered complaints about the extremely lax security procedures.
“What is the purpose of your visit?”
“Tourism.”
“I see. Then come in.”
Facing soldiers in decent armor at the city gate, Zenya felt tense.
They didn’t seem like they’d let them in quietly without proof of identity.
Yet, contrary to her worries about the Demon King harming the guards, they were let in easily.
Seeing the lively, peaceful city interior, Zenya felt a mix of awe and frustration.
“Just like that?”
Did the guards know they had just let the Demon King pass?
Watching the familiar Demon King and Leraije, Zenya looked up at Lumiere in exasperation.
He blocked passersby from bumping into her and explained:
“Most cities, except the capital, operate like this.”
“Is this really okay?”
“…Demons don’t enter the gates honestly anyway.”
True—if demons had forced their way in, yes. But no one expected them to politely answer questions and go through procedures. Yet this was still too careless.
“Why don’t they check faces?”
Zenya pointed at Lumiere’s mask and the Demon King and Leraije far ahead. Anyone could tell they were suspicious—but no one commented.
‘And they’re all huge, too.’
It was impossible not to notice them. If problems arose…
Exasperated, Zenya slumped her shoulders.
“If they’d asked to show their faces, we’d be in trouble too.”
Sighing deeply, Lumiere adjusted his mask.
“The clothes are high-quality. Some nobles travel incognito like this.”
Zenya glanced at their distinctly elegant attire.
“Being meticulous often brings trouble.”
Though he didn’t say it, Zenya could guess what kind of trouble and grimaced.
“Really.”
What a hassle.
Well, Zenya had romanticized the past; the human world was not that different from the Demon Realm.
‘Human world or Demon world.’
After a long time, returning to the human world was… disappointing.
