Chapter 164
Chapter 164: Inspection of the Fort
“— So, thanks to the Dwarven equipment, I can now understand emotions. Leila can be completely trusted!”
“Is that so…?”
As I reported, Platy pressed her forehead as if battling a headache.
It seemed that even the upper-ranking demon race were astonished by the specs of the magical saddle, Kizuna.
“I had no idea such a skilled artisan was at the Demon Lord Castle.”
“Well… let’s just say she has a bit of a challenging personality; she’s more of an artist than a craftsman.”
I shrugged, implying that Kusemon had likely kept a low profile. If she became famous, it would be a problem in its own right. Setting aside her design sense, her talent is genuine.
“Is that so? But she doesn’t mind showcasing her work for you?”
“Apparently, there was no one else capable enough to meet my requests. Her skills were indeed impressive.”
Platy squinted, as if to say, “Are those Dwarves underestimating our son?” I spoke in a soft tone to soothe her.
“Hmm… By the way, what exactly do you mean by unique design sense?”
“Ah… Well, you see…”
I glanced back at Leila, who was patiently waiting behind the sofa, looking a bit troubled.
Leila nodded slightly, then deftly untied a ribbon, blushing as she began to unbutton her maid outfit, revealing her upper body.
“………”
Platy was left utterly speechless.
“……Innovative, isn’t it? But can we even call that clothing?”
“It’s a saddle type meant to be worn.”
“I see…”
Platy was once again massaging her temples, as if fighting off another headache.
Well, that settles it—there was no longer a need for us to prove our love in front of Platy.
With this alone, it was worth having commissioned Kusemon.
‘What a pity. Such an opportunity for fusion has come…’
Don’t say “fusion.”
†††
A few days later, a letter arrived from the Demon Lord.
“I hereby delegate all authority regarding the Aurora Fort to Demon Lord’s Prince Zilbagias Reiju.”
The simple wording was signed by “Demon Lord Goldgias = Orgi.”
Aurora Fort— the very abandoned castle that I was set to borrow from the Demon Lord as a necromancy research facility. Apparently, the renovations were already completed.
Still, it was a surprisingly simple letter to receive from the King. I mean, isn’t this written in his own handwriting?
However, according to Sophia, this kind of straightforwardness seems usual in the Demon Lord Kingdom. Writing something elaborate would just be cumbersome, and the unruly lower demon races wouldn’t even understand it…
“Alright, then. Let’s go check it out.”
According to the attached note, while the interior was somewhat prepared, I was to supply the finer details myself.
What should I do?
When it comes to setting up my own base, I have no clue how to store valuables on-site. A flimsy lock would easily be broken; should I prepare a decoy treasure chest along with the real one, complete with curses or something?
‘Why not just ask those Dwarves for help?’
That’s right. Plus, it’s not like I need it right away… I can think about it later.
For now, today’s objective is just to see my secret base.
“I’m going for a walk with Liliana and Leila.”
“Please be careful and have a safe trip.”
I informed the attendants and made my way to the Dragon Landing Area. Today, I’m bringing Liliana along for a sky trip.
It’s winter, so it’s quite chilly, and Liliana is wearing a custom short-sleeved wool jacket. The pure white fluff makes her look even more like a puppy.
Leila, on the other hand, is snugly wrapped in a cloak. In reality, beneath the cloak, she’s wearing only Kizuna, which is an audacious style. It would be quicker to just take it off if she were to transform into a dragon—that much is certain—but still, there’s an odd sense of guilt.
“………”
Even she seems to have her own thoughts about this, as we strolled through the corridors of the Demon Lord Castle, growing nervous each time we passed by someone.
‘Oh-ho!’
Antendeixis was chirping happily. What’s up? Want to strut around in a similar outfit next?
‘That could be fun, indeed.’
…This is just how he is. I was wrong; please spare me.
Waving a white flag in my mind, I arrived at the landing area.
Leila transformed into a white dragon gracefully. As I donned the cloak she had discarded, I felt a wave of nostalgia.
Hmm, it really is a well-made magical item. Even with Leila being smaller than me, its harness fit her perfectly, even after she transformed into a massive dragon…
“Wow? Wow?”
“Today, Liliana is flying with us, too!”
“Aw-woooon!”
Since she usually waits on the ground, upon realizing she was coming along this time, Liliana was all excited.
It’s been—what, seven years?—since she last rode a dragon, since the attack on the Demon Lord Castle.
“Here you go…”
“Thanks, Leila.”
Cradling Liliana, I hopped onto Leila’s saddle.
Just a moment, let me attach Liliana’s safety harness first, okay?
‘—Alright—’
Leila flapped her wings to warm up. In the meantime, I seated Liliana in front of me and secured us both with a tether.
Alright.
‘—Then, here we go!—’
Leila flapped her wings powerfully and rose into the sky.
“Waaahhh!”
Liliana grabbed onto me with her tiny arms, her eyes wide as they took in the view. The fluffy fur kept me nice and warm.
‘—It’s particularly chilly today, isn’t it?—’
“Are you cold?” Leila asked, concerned. I’m fine. I’m wearing the scarf you knitted.
‘–I’m glad to hear that—’
In her free time, Leila had knit me that scarf. The socks had proven to be a bit too challenging, so she’d attempt those another time.
‘Oh my, how sweet!’
Antendeixis teased, and Leila shot a shy thought back. The telepathic connection was supposed to connect just Leila and me, but it seems that Antendeixis, who had been squatting in my soul, could also hear Leila’s voice through me.
Conversely, Antendeixis’s voice reached Leila via my thoughts. Since both were communicating with me as an intermediary, their feelings didn’t quite get transmitted directly, and their voices were said to be ‘distant.’
…It’s lively and makes me happy.
As I gazed down at the Demon Lord Castle far below, I thought about that.
Thus, while everyone is in the sky with me… I can truly be myself.
‘—Let’s forget any unnecessary things! Just for now—’
Leila said cheerfully, putting even more strength into her wings.
Haha, we’re going to sway! But thanks to the saddle, my body is securely fixed, so it’s all good!
“Waaahhh! Woooooooow!”
Liliana, looking down at the Demon Lord Castle, was brimming with excitement.
She was howling loudly… I wonder, is this excitement or something else?
“Liliana?”
“Grrrrrrrrr…..!!”
With a desperation I’d never seen before, she had a look that seemed to cry out, “I have to go!” It seemed like she was gripped by impatience.
“Calm down! Liliana! This time is different!”
“Ah… Ehh… Grrr! Gaaahhh!”
Liliana squirmed in my arms.
‘This is bad.’
Antendeixis’s short mutterings echoed ominously. Leila glanced back at us, looking worried while gliding with her wings—
In that instant, our altitude suddenly dropped significantly.
Liliana, who had been squirming, was thrown from my arms.
“Kyuuun!”
“Liliana!”
The tether snapped taut with a loud bang!
‘—This is bad! Turbulence!—’
Leila hurriedly adjusted her wing angles. Even if the sky looked clear, there are areas where the wind raged…
“Kyuuuuuun!”
“Liliana! I’ll get you right away, just hold on!!”
Liliana dangled in mid-air, letting out a pathetic cry. I hastily pulled the safety line to lift her up.
“………”
With her long, pointed ears drooping, Liliana clung to me, tremoring. Her pale face seemed to say, “I thought I was going to die…”
However, it seems that thanks to this scare, she managed to break free of her panic.
‘Perhaps unpleasant memories were resurfacing?’
…Yeah, probably.
Maybe this shock could even help Liliana regain her senses—
“Kyuuuu—”
But no, she merely nuzzled my cheek.
‘—I’m so sorry, I couldn’t see the air currents—’
Leila looked apologetically, but it couldn’t be helped. I’m the one to blame.
For Liliana, it had been a long-awaited flight—since that attack mission, no less—and I had been too carefree or careless.
“Liliana… The operation is over. You don’t need to go through any dangerous situations anymore.”
As I stroked her golden, slightly longer hair, I spoke gently.
“…I’m not scared. So, let’s go together. I want to show you the new castle I’ve obtained.”
Well, obtained is stretching it—I’m borrowing it, really. But that’s fine.
“…Wow.”
Liliana, regaining her composure, made a soft sound.
In that moment, her clear blue eyes seemed to hold a glimmer of reason—
“Woo?”
Yet, the way she tilted her head was still that of her usual puppy-like self.
“………”
I pulled Liliana in tightly. To ensure she wouldn’t be thrown away again.
When will it be, I wonder—when can I truly rescue Liliana?
‘—We’ll fly south—’
As we observed the stars, Leila took the lead.
— To the Auroras Fort, a potential base to help rescue Liliana.
