Ever since that human disappeared, the Lord's orders to me have been the same. "Bring him back. Even after he was taken by Rhaetys, his words remained the same, and he didn't even show any disappointment at my inability to fulfill his orders. I can't even begin to guess how much thought was put into those words, but I can't return to my Lord until I've done my duty.

"Hey, Duvvle Ori! "Hey, Duvvle Ori!
"At random. Whether it's that human or Rhaetys, if there's even a hint of scent in the air, we'll be able to find them.

　My 'sniffing nose' can detect any scent. If I still can't find it, then it's most likely in a land I haven't visited yet. I've already searched Tarz, Ghane, and Quama. I am certain that he is in one of the remaining countries.

"Ja-tsugi-hamejiska! The holy land of Yggdrasil is here!
"That's where the Yuggra cult's holy place is. It's true that Mejis is a country that has been fighting against demons for many years. There may be plenty of ways to detect demons, but that's no reason to interfere with my role.
"Kutou, you can't do that.
Go into my belly. My belly is special. I can't sense it that easily.

　If the enemy has a concealment close to my belly, it will be difficult to detect him unless he approaches the building directly. If the enemy has concealment close to my belly, it will be difficult to detect unless I approach the building directly.

"I'm sorry to interrupt your motivation, but do you have a minute?
"...... What do you want, Colorless Demon Lord?

　Behind me, as if he had been there all along, there is a colorless Demon Lord. If I hadn't known that this Demon Lord was like that, I would have been in a fighting stance. I don't know how it works, but I'd say it's the same kind of transference magic, maybe even more.

Thank goodness for smart monsters. Thank goodness for smart monsters. The Scarlet Witches are so quick to turn on us that we have no choice but to ignore them.
I don't have time to deal with you right now. I've heard that you can't act as an enemy to anyone. If you get in my way, I'll consider you an enemy.

　The Colorless Demon Lord has been given the role of a watcher by Yugra to prevent the spread of forbidden magic in the world. In exchange for being given the power to erase any opponent who touches the forbidden magic, he is restricted from taking hostile action himself.

I don't mean to interrupt. I'm not trying to interfere with you, but suddenly you're interested in my strength, aren't you?
I'm not interested.
Of course you are! I'm currently the strongest Demon Lord in existence.
I'm not interested.
You should be. Maybe you'll get a clue, you know? You might be able to help your Lord, you know? So let's have a hand fight! Just take one of them and be done with it, I won't kill you!

　I can't understand this man's intentions. He's just a distraction. But if he sees me as an enemy, he might be able to seriously dispose of me. If there is any way for me to escape from this demon king, ...... then I am very unhappy, but I have no choice but to play along with this demon king's games and give him a quick satisfaction. It's a great way to get the most out of your day.

"...... is fine. I don't want to waste any more of your time.
I don't want to waste any more time. That's what I'm talking about! Come on, come on, come on!

　I don't know how well it will go over. But if I do, I'll do it with all my might. I'll close the distance with my "Running Left Leg" and hit him with my "Roaring Right Leg". But my right leg could not reach his body. The space in front of me cracks open, and a jet-black darkness spreads out. Between me and the Colorless Demon King, a kind of ward was being deployed.

Your physical abilities are impressive. You're not as good as a scarlet beast, but you're pretty good for a demon. But it's too linear.

　Darkness spreads, and in the blink of an eye, the entire body is engulfed. There is no pain, no feeling of being eroded. What kind of magic is this? My vision is swallowed up by the darkness, and I even lose the sense of the earth.

"You...!
It's not an attack, it's an evasion spell. It's not an attack, it's an evasion spell. It blows the darkened opponent to a random location, so you can end up striking out with a nasty move. Oh, don't worry about it. I'll be back here faster than a kid can bathe. Well, keep at it. You can't be around the people you care about when you need to be around them.

　I don't understand. What does this Demon Lord want, if this isn't a hindrance? I'm sure you'll be able to figure it out.

　I was thinking about this when my "sniffing nose" picked up the scent it was looking for.

"......

　My people have been taken by Raitis. There is nothing I can do about it now, despite my growing anxiety about it. Even though I've mastered the art of hiding, there's nothing I can do as long as I don't know where I'm sneaking to. Then I should take care of the lingering matters before the time comes, and ensure that I am in a perfect state of mind.

......

　But I really want to talk to my people. I don't know if I should go ahead with the mother incident or the other one on my own. My compatriots may still be in danger of death. Maybe ......, no, I'm sure my people can make it through. Even when there was a complete disparity in strength between us, we were able to get by so well. Even if the other party is more skilled than I am, if it is a fellow countryman who has defeated the Scarlet Witch King,.......



......

　...... In the first place, I have to deal with this awkward atmosphere . In the carriage on the way to Mejlis. Ao, Lakra, and his mother are sitting there in silence. The mother's treatment was successful. The Purple Demon King's handling of the situation was superb, and the complete treatment was completed within a meal's time of sending the mother home. A seal was applied to prevent the recurrence of the power, and his consciousness was safely restored. As an after-effect, her eyesight seemed to be slightly impaired, but she said it did not interfere with her daily life. I'm doing this now to send my mother back to Mejlis. .......

......

　As I hold the reins of the carriage, I can feel the eyes of the three men glancing at my back. What should I do? It's times like this that I really wish I'd brought Harkdock with me. But Harkdock has returned to Quama and has begun searching for his people with Jestaff, using Quama's adventurers. We can't lower the chances of finding our people just to lighten the mood. We left Tarz, passed through the continent of Ghaneh, and were almost at the border of Mejis, but no one said a word. I wonder if I should be the one to speak to them. No, what do you mean by "still"? Are you saying that Ao and Lakra are not good enough? In fact, if you're not good at socializing, then I'm clearly the one who should be...

"How's your eye, Mom?
"......, yeah. I'm sorry for worrying you.

　It was Lakra who opened her mouth first. I felt her blue eyes twitch. I did too.

I've heard that your eyesight is failing, so I'll ask Master Ucka to get you some tools to correct your vision.
I'm fine. I'm just a little tired.
That's not okay. That's why you left me at the orphanage, to take care of myself.
Hey, come on, Lacula. That's too much to ask.
No, I'll make it clear. I don't want you to apologize. But she wants to apologize. If that's the case, then you need to say it clearly so that both of us can feel better. Yes, there were differences compared to a normal family. But I have never felt resentment about it. Even if there are unspoken grievances, the gratitude for giving birth to me far outweighs them.
"So ...... is .......

　I can agree with Lakra's words. My life may not have been what I would call normal. But I was able to meet my compatriots and reach out to Ao. I could definitely feel my growth in that. If I had been born as a peaceful person, I would have never been able to feel this.

I'm an adult now. I'm enjoying my life.
"But you're almost thirty and you're not married.
I'm not sure what to say. ....... Marriage is not everything. I'm sure you're not the only one.

　I don't know why it jumped out at me. It's true that many people get married in their early twenties if eighteen is the age of maturity. But I lived in a demon world until this age. .......

I'm sure you'll be able to figure out what's going on.
I'm sorry. I'm not sure what to say. I'm sure you'll be able to understand why.
I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that.
That's true, but...?
"They've only just started dating, so don't poke too much fun at them.
Lackluster?
What do you think about that, Exduk?

　I should say something since my mother even brought it up. ....... I can't think of a single clever thing to say. I guess I'll just say what I think.

"Ao and I don't have that kind of relationship.
Yes, we do. ......
It's just that I've devoted my life to you.
Whoa!

　Did I do something wrong? No, I think you're right.

Oh, so you're saying that Exoik is your wife?
That's a strange thing to say. Does human marriage mean that the woman gives her life to the man?
I don't know about that ....... I don't know if that's ...... true, but it was a big thing in the past. ...... Everyone has their own form of marriage.
So I'm...
I'm sorry. I just wanted to make fun of you. I'm not sure if you've heard of it, but I'm sure you've heard of it.

　A demon is a subordinate of the Demon Lord, a master-servant relationship that can never be defied. But if you ask me, I have never been treated like a tool by Ao. There are many times when he gets angry and knocks me to the ground for something I don't understand, but that's probably my fault.



It certainly doesn't sound like a dominant/dominated relationship.
...... What, you want to be jerked around more?
"I'm not sure I'd like to hear you say that. But I'm sorry that I've been spending so much time with my people that I haven't been able to be around Ao as much as I'd like.
That's right. You're always going on about how you're going on about how you're going on about how you're going on about the Lord.
Is that what you're saying?
I'm saying it. That's more than my dog whines.
You're saying it. Whenever you show up.
Okay. ......

　I don't blame him, because when he shows up in front of Lakra, it's to work with his people. But when you actually point it out, it makes me feel indescribable. As I shed my tears, I hear my mother giggling.

"You've met a good man, haven't you? Ecdysium.
"Yeah. My people brought me here from the demon world. If it weren't for them, I'd probably be dead already or still be living like a demon. I can't thank you enough.
I'm sure you're not the only one. I'm sure you're not the only one.
Yes, I do.
I'm good. ......
You can't give me special treatment. And I'm sorry I didn't get to ...... in time.

　I should have been the first to arrive. But in the end, I was unable to reach Ao in time, and it was my compatriots and ...... his mother who saved him. If I had been in constant contact with Ao, there was a good chance that I would have come in contact with the unique class.

...... That's fine too. It's a good thing that I forgot to call you too. I forgot to call you. ......Thank you, Natra, for ......that time.
I feel like I'm slowing you down by thanking you. ......
That's not true! I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that.
I've heard that the Demon Lord is immortal?
It takes decades to a hundred years to resurrect a demon lord. ...... No, that's not what I meant!
I'm kidding, I know. I was just embarrassed that you thanked me so I made fun of you. I'm sorry, okay?
Yes, I am. ....... I'm ...... sorry for all the ...... things I've done, too.
That's exactly what I'm ...... sorry for. When I was first told about their relationship, I was too surprised to say anything. But that didn't change. When I saw you two, I didn't have to worry about a thing.

　She and her mother seem to have gotten to know each other better. I should say something more.

"I'll say thank you, too. Thank you for helping Ao and for understanding ...... Mom.
Thank you, Mom. ...... Yeah.

　I could feel her getting upset over my back, but I'm sure it's not a bad thing. Even though I couldn't be sure, I could sense that this was the way it was.

"Oh, yes. Since we're going to Mejlis, we'll have to visit your father's grave!
"Yes. I may not know his face, but he's still my father.
Well, I don't know him either. I don't know him either, but I used to go there sometimes. I thought my mom would notice the flowers, so I'd pour her a drink.
My father didn't like alcohol. ......
What?
Flogging a dead man. You're a terrible girl, Lacula.
Well, then my mother inherited my love of alcohol. ......?
I'm not that much of a drinker myself.
I don't drink that much either. - You shouldn't blame your parents.

　The first problem has been successfully solved. I feel that the tension in my heart has somewhat disappeared. But there is still the real problem to face.

Yes, I should also thank the other Demon Lord for healing me. ......
There's no need. It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're doing.
That's true, but ......
The purple has little interest in others. The only way to get rid of them is to meet them and feel bad about it.
"He's very careless except when it comes to Shosho-sama. The Purple Demon Lord.

　It was the Purple Demon Lord who tore our family apart, albeit indirectly. I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I'm not the only one who has a problem with this.

I'm sure you'll be able to find something that will help you out.
"...... Oh.
What's the matter, Ecdysium? You've suddenly lost your energy. Maybe you forgot to ask me my name?


"No, I heard her name. ...... Her name is Marya, Marya-Pentes.
Your name is Marya, right?
Is there a problem? ...... Hmm? Pen ......tes?

　Apparently, Ao has figured out what's going on. I can feel my words becoming bitter.

"......? What's wrong with you?
"Hey, hey, Ex-Doik ......, is that what this is about?
I'm sure you'll be able to see the ...... face, and I'm sure you'll be able to hear a few words from the fellow holy knight who took Marya into his care. Marya is Lacia Pentes, her sister.
...... A life of misfortune, if I do say so myself. You.

　Leixia-Pentes. When I was raised under Vegragudo, a holy knight who was captured to give me information about human society. She was killed and used as food. It's no exaggeration to say she died because of me. Thanks to her sister's help, my mother survived. Is this fate telling me to face Marya and the past? I don't know the answer now. But I'm sure it will become clearer on the journey to Medicine.

　I can smell that man.

　I could smell the human scent. From the strength of the lingering scent, the men of Leitis are no longer here. But I've smelled something else. ...... This is the Yugra religion. ...... No, now is not the time to be thinking about that. If the Colorless Demon King is right, I'll be sent back to where I came from before too long. I have to get that person, or at least locate him. I'll be on the lookout for the enemy, and I'll hide and disappear as much as I can. It looks like a building, but it's surrounded by a number of sophisticated wards. It would be difficult for demons to get close to it, let alone detect it.

(Smells like this. (The smell is this way. But this smell is .......)

　Check the stars, and narrow down the location to a rough estimate. This seems to be Medis, a facility some distance from where the sanctuary is located. There are not many guards, and they seem to be relying on warding. There was little security tension, and I could hear them chatting.

How's the guy doing?
How's he doing?" "He's been beaten up pretty bad. According to the doctor, if he can't even accept healing magic, it's unlikely to prolong his life.
I don't know what Zucho was thinking. He was going to train him, wasn't he?
Yeah, he was supposed to be crazy, but he was supposed to be good. He was supposed to be crazy, but he was good. In the end, he kept cutting his own throat with an instrument until it was a mess.

　According to the story, he was not in a good condition. He searched for the human by his nose and found the room. He enters through a crack in the door as a shadow to see what's going on inside.

This is .......

　The only person there was that person. But he was able to identify it because of his "sniffing nose". The human lying on the bed was a cruel figure, nothing like the one he had seen before.