Chapter 109
A Night in the Capital
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Editors: Sebas Tian, Speedphoenix, Joker
“My lord…” I leaned back into my chair and heaved a heavy sigh shortly after having someone pick up the princess, who had fallen asleep in my lap . I had entrusted her to one of the maids that had been watching over the entire dinner party with a smile .
Unlike the maid, I had the exact opposite of a smile on my face . The awful drunk of a hero had forced me to drink way more than I wanted . I simply could not remember the last time I had ever ingested that much alcohol in one sitting . Fortunately, my overpowered body was one that was able to tolerate copious amounts of booze, as I never ended up vomiting . That said, I wasn't all that comfortable either . I could practically feel the liquid sloshing around within my guts . Man . Today has just been chock full of me being glad I'm not just another human anymore, hasn't it? First, there was that whole battle freak fiasco, and now there's this . Seriously . I can't thank the dungeon enough for depriving me of my humanity .
The source of all my bowel-related discomfort, the hero, was sound asleep . She had remained glued to me throughout the evening, and had continued leaning on me even after dozing off . You know, now that all the booze is gone, she really does look like just another cute girl . Her body is incredibly soft . She looks real innocent in her sleep too . Looking at her now, I almost can't imagine her as the terrifying drunk that forced me to guzzle a copious amount of wine .
Recalling the incident filled me with a sense of annoyance . I was so angry that I probably would have started doodling all over her face if I happened to have a pen .
"I mean, I do have a permanent marker on hand, but, you know what, I'll be nice and let you off the hook . This time . " I muttered a few words under my breath with a smile before getting up . I made sure to carefully adjust the hero's position and make sure she was propped up against the chair well enough not to fall over . "Time to go, Rir . "
Although my companion had remained in his regular form whilst camping out on the balcony, he was currently the same size as any other wolf . It was the smallest he could get . The reason for the change was because he had wanted to retreat under the table and use my legs to take shelter from everyone that had wanted to pet him . (Read: Carlotta . )
He knew exactly what I meant, so he stretched and got ready to go .
"Would you happen to require my assistance with anything?" One of the maids standing nearby approached in order to check on me .
"Nah, I'm good . I was just thinking of heading home," I said . "Actually, on second thought, could you do me a favour and tell the king that I had a great time?"
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The aforementioned monarch had ended up doing more than just passing out . He had transitioned from a booze snooze to a rather deep sleep halfway through the party . One of the butlers who had realized this bowed to all the guests and apologized before escorting him elsewhere . Likely his bedroom . I was pretty much the only one still even remotely sober when it happened though .
"It's rather late," said the maid . "Would you like me to show you to a room instead? You're more than welcome to stay the night . "
"Thanks, but I'll pass . I told myself I was going to go home today, so I'mma do just that . "
I had the sneaking suspicion that staying the night would ultimately result in a much longer stay than just that . The princess would probably end up trying to keep me detained for as long as she could . And as someone from Japan, I wasn't all that great at saying no .
"Understood," said the maid . "Would you like me to assist you in preparing a carriage that will take you all the way to the city's gates?"
"Nah . " I was planning to get on Rir since he was faster, so I declined .
"Going home already, Masquerade?" Someone called out to me just as I was about to have the maid show me the way back out of the castle .
Glancing over, I found that it was Carlotta, who had been asleep with her arms crossed and her back against one of the sofas in the corner of the room until just a moment ago . I guess the noise must have woken her . She is a soldier, so I doubt she's that deep of a sleeper even if she's all drugged up on booze .
"Yeah . Thanks for everything," I said . "Oh, do me a favour, pass that message onto Nell for me once she wakes up . "
"Hmph . I should be the one thanking you . We couldn't have completed the operation nearly as easily without you," the knight snorted . "Feel free to ask if you ever need my help . The church would be glad to offer you our assistance at any time . And I'm sure Nell would be too . "
"I dunno about you, but that sounds like a sure-fire way for me to get myself recruited by the church . "
"Well, I am more or less saying that we'll welcome you with open arms," she said . "We do think pretty highly of you, after all . "
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I flashed her a wry grin, waved goodbye, and left the castle .
"Wait! Yuki!" Another voice called out to me right as the maid showed me outside . I turned around to see the hero chasing me down . Kind of . Her steps were unsteady, and she had a hand on her temple .
“Oh, hey Nell . You’re up already?”
“M-Mhm… But my head is killing me…"
"No surprise there . That's kind of what happens when you drink too much . " I gave her a reproachful stare . "Speaking of which, you're a terrible drunk . "
"Erk…" The girl's face immediately flushed a shade of red .
I guess that means she remembers all the flirting around she did .
"U-Uhm… S-sorry…" she stammered . "I couldn't help myself . I was really drunk, and it was just so much fun . "
"Yeah, whatever… " I rolled my eyes . "You should really be more careful . I probably would have taken advantage of you if I wasn't literally the embodiment of what it meant to be a gentleman . "
"Gentleman? Yeah, how about no," said Nell . "And I know . I'd never let myself get that drunk around guys I don't know or people I can't relax around . "
"Are you saying you feel like you can relax around me?"
“I at least trust you enough to know that you won’t take advantage of me . Besides, even if you did, then all I’d have to do is go crying to Lefi," said Nell triumphantly .
"Please don't . The thought terrifies me . " I smiled awkwardly . "Well, hero, I guess this is goodbye . Thanks for everything . I know we didn't hang out all that much, but I had tons of fun . "
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"Me too . I really liked spending time with you . I'm kind of disappointed we already have to say goodbye," she said . "But it's not like we won't ever see each other again, right?"
"You betcha . Feel free to stop by the dungeon and hang out whenever . You've got a free pass, and our doors are open for you anytime . "
Nell paused for a moment .
"Sure . I'll definitely come visit," she smiled . "I'll be much more of a hero next time we see each other . I'll be so strong I'll make you shiver in your boots! So just you wait!"
"Sounds like a challenge . I can't wait," I laughed .
I grinned and jumped on Rir, who had returned to his full size .
"Oh yeah, that reminds me . Here, take this . " I opened my inventory and chucked at the hero .
"Huh? Wahhh!" She panicked and just barely managed to catch the sheathed dagger I had thrown her way . “What’s this…?”
"Just a little something I made . The whole crafting process went well and all, but I kinda can't exactly use it myself . "
"It's so pretty…" She stared in awe as the blade, which she had only drawn halfway, sparkled in the moonlight .
If one were to analyze the blade, they would see the following .
***
Lunar Blossom: A Dagger with a snow white blade created by a demon lord named Yuki . Swinging it during the night causes its glimmering blade to cleave through the darkness and leave a ray of moonlight in its wake .
Quality Rating:
***
I had created Lunar Blossom not too long ago . It was back when I was messing with enchanted metals in order to determine their quirks . Specifically, it was made of adamantite . It was a wonderfully crafted item . Its quality was so high that it made me want to stand tall and proud . However, like I had mentioned, I didn't exactly have any use for it .
I already had several other knives that I used on a regular basis . And it wasn't like I could use it in combat either . I was using Zaien as my main armament and the magical handgun as my secondary . I just didn't need it . And that wasn't even taking into account the fact that I was awful at handling blades . My Sword Mastery skill was still stuck at level 2 .
"It's pretty sharp and pretty durable too . I was hoping that you'd keep it on hand as your spare weapon or use it to butcher monsters or something . "
"Thank you . " Nell sheathed the blade and hugged it to her chest . She then nodded with a beautiful smile that seemed indicative of the emotions she had kept bottled deep inside . "I promise I'll take really good care of it . "
“Please do . Well, I guess I’ll be off now, Nell . ”
“See you again, Yuki . ”
She waved goodbye as I rode Rir through the capital and melded into the darkness of the night .
Editor's note (Joker): Hey, guys! Joker here . Aww, looks like a certain hero is starting to fall for our resident Demon Lord . If that does happen, naturally Lefi would be the primary mate, Illuna would probably put up a fight for second, Shii might join in because it looks fun, and the maids… well, I'm not sure on the maids yet . We'll see later down the line . But yeah, a Hero falling for a Demon Lord . I'm sure this will go over well in the church . Maybe some of the higher ups in the church will try and have Nell 'silenced', Carlotta will fight against it, and Yuki is going to have to intervene . I don't know, that's just what I'm guessing . Okay, let's see… two letters in the bag today, plus… How many headpats?! 9?! And 6 of them from the same person?! Good golly, Miss Molly… I've never had that many letters before… I guess that's the power of moe . How scary… So, um, anyway, thanks to HONEYBEE and kx for your letters, and kx, Tonatsi, Kisuli for the double headpat… not sure why you did me… and جهاد السعيدي . Strange name, and I'm not sure if it'll show up, but I'm not judging . Nirvash thanks you for the headpats, and if you have a question you'd like to ask… or if you just want to headpat her some more… leave your comment, or headpat, below with the hashtag #AskJoker or #NirvashHeadPat . See y'all in the next chapter!