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Chapter 244: The 5th Demon Lord’s Prince

“What on earth are you doing?”

As I was giving blood to Yavka, a hesitant voice came from behind me.

Turning around, I saw Spinethia, the Food Fighter, dressed in her usual Bon-Dage style, munching on an apple with an exasperated look on her face.

“Ah, sister. You’ve arrived.”

There had been a prior notice that the Sauroe Tribe’s army was returning to Evaroti, and the exchange of captives in the eastern part of the kingdom was progressing, but the key person, Spinethia, had been delayed, leaving me bored enough to start my training.

Then, just like usual, vampires, led by Yavka, started showing up to drink blood.

“Aheh…”

On the ground lay a beautiful woman and an old vampire rolling around with slack expressions, while Yavka, having built up a bit of resistance, was drooling with an ecstatic look.

“So… what exactly is this?”

“Feeding them… I guess?”

When I answered like that, Spinethia strode up, whispering, “What do you think you’re doing giving demon blood to vampires?”

“Are you planning to teach them the taste of blood?”

“Yes.”

“Huh?”

Spinethia was taken aback by my straightforward response. I knew my actions would quickly be seen through if probed, so I decided to be honest.

“My blood is said to be quite delicious, and it seems that for them, the blood of humans and beastmen tastes horrible. Thanks to that, I can maintain my composure in front of the district residents, preventing any unfortunate accidents of accidentally sucking someone dry.”

“Really… is your blood that tasty?”

Spinethia stared at me earnestly…

“For vampires, I mean?”

“…I get it, it’s a joke.”

When you say it, it doesn’t sound like a joke!

“Anyway, just giving them blood as a reward makes them work like dogs. It’s a cheap deal, right?”

Recently, not only have they been taking up night watch, but they’ve also started actively cleaning up debris. They have monster strength, so if they’re motivated, they can handle heavy labor! All because they crave my blood!

“But what will you do if they start targeting demons?”

“I’ll crush them. Those weaklings aren’t scary at all when they attack.”

I gestured toward the vampires rolling around in fits. Yavka, as a viscount, had decent magical power, but the rest were just knight to quasi-barony level weaklings.

“Well… that’s true.”

Spinethia nodded. Even though she’s a count, there’s a significant gap in power such that she could easily fend them off even if they attacked.

…For ordinary humans, even these weak vampires can be a threat. But when it comes to demons, that’s a different story. Only kids without horns would be troubled by them. And the reason my blood is delicious is that I’m of a higher demon race with immense magical power.

If they’re craving the taste of blood, they need to target higher demons—no matter how many they gather, they must be prepared for considerable losses, and more importantly, it could be bad if it gets discovered.

As long as demon domination continues unchallenged, that is. If they run wild and the other demons become victims, I couldn’t care less.

“They won’t be leaving the district for now.”

“For now, that’s good.”

Ultimately, it seemed she assessed them as not worth worrying about. Spinethia looked at the vampires with a cold gaze and nodded.

“Still, you’re training quite intensely. I’ve heard rumors, but…”

Spinethia stared closely at me, covered in blood. Nearby sat Liliana, behaving well, and Leila (the maid) preparing towels for me. Given the nearly infinite Healing Power, there probably isn’t anyone in the Demon Lord Kingdom doing this kind of life-and-death style training every day apart from me.

“Are you sparring with that human?”

Spinethia shifted her gaze to Virosa, who was waiting with her sword sheathed.

“Well, yeah.”

“You’re getting beaten up so badly by a human?”

Oh? Does she not know?

“Despite appearances, she’s a Sword Saint.”

“Really?”

As Virosa bowed, Spinethia observed her closely.

“Sparring with a Sword Saint shows you’re pretty gutsy. Are you holding hostages or something?”

“Something like that.”

Though I could tell her that the night elf who turned human doesn’t require such caution, most of the beastmen stationed at Evaroti are from the White Tiger tribe, while the night elves are from the Sidarl faction, and the demon soldiers are all familiars of the Reiju Tribe—just my relatives.

Since I just returned from the front line, I’m guessing they haven’t done much probing. They’ll find out eventually, but the timings of their discoveries can be anticipated somewhat from their quickness of ear.

“But didn’t you say your pawn includes the Sword Saint of the night elves?”

Spinethia looked at me with a somewhat suspicious gaze. Oh, oh.

“What? You seem to know.”

When I winked, Virosa deactivated her transformation and returned to her night elf form.

“You’re no good… so unlovable.”

Spinethia said with a sigh, gnawing on her apple, seeds and all.

“I’d prefer not to be eaten by you.”

And yet you were the one who first called me ‘pathetic’, possibly as a provocation, testing how loose my lips are, huh? Unlovable? It’s mutual!

“So, what do you need?”

I shot back bluntly. She must have a reason for coming here to meet me given the need for captives to exchange. There’s no way she just came for small talk, right?

“Well, I don’t have any particular reason. I just came to deepen our friendship.”

Really?

Though I wore a friendly smile, it seemed suspicion showed in my eyes. Spinethia shrugged awkwardly as she received a new box of cookies from her beastman attendant and said—

“Do you want some?”

“What!? What’s your objective!?”

I couldn’t help but panic, my voice cracking. The Food Fighter is offering food to others…!?

“What? I can share too!”

Spinethia looked indignant, though her attendant behind her was also shocked! Maybe sensing my gaze, Spinethia turned and scolded her attendant, “Why are you surprised too!?”

“But just the other day, your Highness was devouring our rations, wasn’t she?!”

“Shut up! I’ll shave your whole body bald!”

“That’s so tyrannical!”

Looks like she gets along well with her beastman attendant… and then Porkun’s face suddenly peeked in through the castle window. Not you, sit down.

“Haah. Anyway, thanks to the Bon-Dage style, I’m better able to control my appetite. Before, I… just couldn’t help myself.”

Just a little? More like she was constantly stuffing her face, to the point where she could hardly converse…

“…Honestly, I really did just come to deepen my friendship with you.”

While munching on cookies, Spinethia wore a troubled expression.

Hmm?

“It’s as if she’s been coerced into this… ”

Could it be Aiogias’s doing? Was she told to sniff out information on Zilbagias? But is this really the right candidate for snooping?

As I pondered, Spinethia snapped her fingers and set up a soundproof barrier.

“Is there something you’re struggling with?”

She asked, sporting a forced smile.

Wow, straight to the point!

Who selected this person, Aiogias? She’s definitely not suited for this role!

 

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