The Devil's Blend

•—[Akuma no Kongou ]—•

『悪魔の混合』

Synopsis : They say life is like a cup of coffe. It could either be sweet or bitter depending on how you mix it to your liking. But you also need the right ingredients to get the right taste. Follow Maou as he tries to brew the perfect blend of his life with the hero at the side as his sweetener.

Standard Disclaimer Enclosed and Applied.

This is a nonprofit literary work.

『Prologue 』

How does one define good from evil?

Is it thru a person's actions and behavioral deeds?

Or is it thru ones genetic composition and racial features?

Or perhaps good and evil can just be scaled on equal value and are just a subjective concept incoherently separated by the folly of the human mind?

Nonetheless, for society to work and propagate, good and evil must be properly defined or else total anarchy would befall and lay waste on what mankind had so far achieved.

However, hypothetically speaking if perchance a demon king emerged bearing the tidings of world peace but tried to achieve it thru unjust methods, would you instantly deem him as an evil entity?

Perchance if a hero bearing the iron will of justice lest blindly follows the machinations of a corrupted organization, would you still deem her as good?

However such sentimentality is totally redundant for nothing is ever conceived in an absolute pure state and good and evil are naught but mankind's invention and in the eyes of the omnipotent, all is but an equal.

Everyone whether they be angels, demons and humans are just but one being;

—A living being.

And a living being cannot survive alone lest they live in coexistence with one another.

—Even if it is their sworn enemy and antithesis.

—『Part 01 : The Two Otherworldly Travelers 』—

How can everything had gone so wrong?

I can't help but to curse inwardly as i try to gaze back at the bothersome figure whose hot in pursuit of me through the portal I've just made.

Alack! she hath already broken one of my majestic horns which is the core that stores my demonic mana and that damn hero severed it easily due to thy negligence.

—What a blunder.

I've totally underestimated that lass once I've discovered that she was of the female kind.

Damn her outer grace for making me awestruck for a split second!

Ahh, i want to struck myself.

A demon lord smitten to a mere human girl?

That's the worst joke I've thought in all of the centuries that I've lived.

Seriously someone kill me now.

And to make matters worse, i could feel a trace of Laylah's life aura in this lass.

How absurd is that?

Is she a relative or perhaps even the daughter of that slovenly angelic nymph?

...Great, my sworn enemy could be an offspring of my benefactor.

Laylah would most likely wring me alive if i somehow killed this girl that looks to be her daughter.

Seriously I'm positively sure that someone is messing with my fate right at this moment.

I could hear Alsiel wailing out my name at a distance whist he's being subdued by the comrades of that damnable hero.

However I'm powerless at the moment so I've got no choice but to sacrifice my most trusted general to the hands of those vile cretins.

Ashiel i'm sorry but i promise to return back and hopefully you're still alive by that time.

I made a pledge as i hardened my resolve to not think of the negatives.

Chances are all of my subordinates would be sent to the gallows and would die a dogs death but i refuse to think that way for I'm afraid my will would crumble if i did so.

Survive everyone no matter what!

I could almost reach the portal's exit for it's just an arms reach away.

I looked back again at the silver haired figure that's been trailing me from behind and i gather what's left of my demonic power to make a compressed ball of energy and threw it directly at the insufferable lass.

!

No way!

She slashed it with her holy sword easily but the annoying girl accumulated some damage and chinks to her armour.

—No good, i can't retain my flight anymore since I've used up most of my demonic energy with that last attack.

I tentatively looked around my surroundings and i couldn't help but knot my eyebrows.

J-Just where is this place I've warped onto?

Or more like,

—what in the bloody perdition is this land!?

All i could see is a vast kingdom that's filled with colossal metallic structures that can be on par with my castle and...what kind of tomfoolery is that animal!?

A white metal zombie dragon!?

It doesn't look like it's a living being for i can't sense a life aura on that thing.

Hell, It doesn't even have a face to begin with!

I've never seen an avian of that kind in all of Ente Isla nor the demon realm.

Where the hell am i!?

No good, panic is the precursor of defeat...i need to stay calm and focus on my descent.

It seems that due to my desperation, I've set the destination of my gate on a random settings.

Argh, yet another blunder!

Ah great, I'm on a roll today.

It seems all of my negative karma are coming back to haunt me in one go.

Nevertheless, i need to do something about that white metal-dragon sort of entity that is gradually approaching me at breakneck speed.

My energy reserves are almost depleted but my physical strength still hasn't leave me be yet. As the white metal thing approach me, i deeply concentrated then hardened my fist and punch it straight on.

It made a beeping sound while it emits black smoke and plunged down towards the land below.

"Maou!"

Damnable lass, I've totally forgotten about her.

I suddenly felt her gripping my back as she put me on an unorthodox choke hold to disable my mobility. I tried to resist but then—

Argh, not the horns!

I tried pulling out her hands but her grip is like a hug from an anacondious snake.

D-Damn my powers is gradually slipping away.

Anyhow, this lass is completely insane!

Can't she see that she'll kill us both if this airborne struggle keeps up until we hit ground zero?

Goddammit we're gradually gaining speed as we free fall straight down towards the land below. And to make matters worse, all i could see is hard concrete and nothing else!

Even the tress that might cushion our fall are sparse which makes our chances of survival practically nonexistent.

"L-Listen to me woman! T'is no good and our demise is imminent if we naught do something about our landing!"

I tried to reason with her.

"Satan! I'd rather die with you and sacrifice myself than to let you survive!"

Dear Lilum!

This hero is mad! Mad i tell you!

She's more unreasonable than a rampaging Cerberus on heat!

We're almost going to turn into a pair of blood spatter on the ground if we do not do something quick. I don't know what might happen to me if i used up all of my demonic mana but anything's better than dying of free fall.

I gathered all my energy to hardened my body to it's utmost limits and brace the impact of our fall. Only seconds remain till we hit the hard ground.

03

02

01

«Bam!»

My whole body rattles as if a boulder rain down on me.

I closed my eyes as i felt my body hitting the concrete pavement and i almost lost my consciousness due to sheer force of the collision of my body against the pavement.

Holy perdition!

It's been centuries since I've felt my body ache this much. This sensation almost reminded me of that time when i was just a lowly goblin pathetically beaten half dead and on the verge of death.

I think i lost my consciousness for a moment.

I tried to adjust my vision when i regained my bearing but with all of the smoke floating around, just opening my eyelids makes my eyes sting and tear up.

I felt weird.

Somehow my body turned into that of a teenager for some reason.

However before i could further inspect myself of this bizarre happenstance, a voice howled at me.

"Y-You...w-won't get away from me...M-Maou,"

Muttered by a feminine voice in between ragged breaths and filled with tiredness. I subconsciously twist my head towards the direction of the voice.

There's still some translucent smoke around but i can relatively see the lying countenance of the female hero tragically trying to standup with the help of her sword.

I tried looking straight into her eyes and I'm basked with a gnawing hatred so potent it almost took my breath away.

Even in an half conscious state, this hero's eyes still ablazes with a scorching abhorrence as if her entire existence is solely centered around killing me.

I've met and fell alot of heroes in the past but none have this profound hatred towards me.

I wonder what I've done to deserve such a deep-seated loathing?

"Hero, why do you hate me so?"

I couldn't help but be curious.

Her eyes narrowed into slits and it seems her hatred grew tenfolds with my candid questioning.

"...Why? Do you seriously doesn't know why!?"

She madly shouted with each word gradually gaining in volume. I couldn't help but be surprised when tears flows down on her cheeks but it seems she's isn't aware of it.

"You and your army killed thousands of my kind! Conquered our lands and laid waste on it! My father who is just my only family left became a victim by your senseless slaughter! And my hometown Sloan whose just a small village in the west of Ente Isla was senselessly burned to the ground and you dare ask me why i hate you so!?"

West of Ente Isla?

That's where i ordered Lucifer to lay siege but i specifically said to him to only attack the vanguard and the knights and not the citizens.

However what's done cannot be undone.

Lives taken cannot be reclaimed and even if I wasn't the one who personally instigated the attack, it was by my orders and no amount of reasoning could change the fact that I am to blame for this girl's suffering.

Hence, i stood silent.

No matter how much she cursed and belittled me, i remained silent.

She poured all of her pent up hated and sadness into a spiel of words coated with furor and threw it at my face.

—Yet i remained silent.

After a minute of shouting profanities at me, the hero seemed to have snapped at my inactivity and charged at me and i readied my defensive stance.

However possibly due to fatigue or mana depletion when the lass was at an arms reach away, she then suddenly collapsed and fell to the ground.

"I...hate..."

I stared at her lying on the ground for about a moment and when i confirmed that she truly was unconscious, i kneel beside her and extended my hand.

My eyes then widened.

Her sword and armour gradually starts to fade out leaving her nothing but her undergarments. Her illustrious shining silver hair started to dim into a darker shade of red as well.

I stood impassively as i bore witness to this surreal happenstance.

I didn't know what to think but the first thing that came to my mind is 'she sure like it lacy black huh,'

Rather surprising since her outer appearance is the epitome of whiteness.

I'm not a pervert mind you.

I've lived for hundreds of years so I've got my fair share of seeing the naked bodice of the fairer sex.

However above anything else, I'm of a demon kind.

Demons secrete way more hormones than any other race so in a nutshell, we especially the demon males became more horny than an average being.

Luckily for me, I've already accumulated enough fortitude to resist temptation due to my centuries of existence.

Yet one can't deny that the body composition of a female human and a demoness aren't that much different so i still felt a slight prick on my libido when i was given an all you can see free pass at this hero's nudity.

Sigh.

Seriously Satan Jacobs she's centuries younger than you!

Shes a jailbait!

Don't be like that pedophile Adramelech whom likes it young and fresh.

I reasoned with my mind.

And really, i have no interest in this hero. It's just that i'm still a healthy male that on his prime years so i can't help but feel rather excited.

I know its not the time nor place to ogle at this hero's sensuality but...

Hot damn!

I like it black.

Specially if its lacy.

Black lacy undies banzai!

Beings known as man are simple creatures. Any male will succumb to their base instincts when faced with an âu naturél beauty.

I retracted my hand and stood up.

Anyhow, I had no obligation to help her.

She's the current hero.

My antithesis.

Hell, any rationalé demon lord would even took this opportunity to end her life!

I gave the lass another side long glance.

Sigh.

"Consider yourself lucky for my body currently felt like it's made of lead and I've got no more energy left to spare."

I whispered to the unconscious lass as i slowly walked away.

I-It's not like i didn't kill her because i think its a shame if such a beauty would die young you know? Its just a whim yeah!

"..."

"..."

I couldn't help but look back at the defenseless figure of the hero.

Sigh.

What's with this small pricking feeling in my chest?

After a moment of hesitation, i simply walked back and took off my glorious cape to drape it on the unconscious body of the hero.

I lifted her up afterwards and put her in a piggyback hold onto my back as i exhaled in exasperation.

"A demon lord helping a hero...oh how the mighty had fallen."

I stated rhetorically as i started to walk slowly in no particular direction.

Even if she's my sworn nemesis, this hero is a woman and as much as i hate it, i had a soft spot for the female kind since i was saved by a female angel before.

Damn you Laylah for making a feminist out of me!

"Oi hero you better pay me back someday with interest you hear?"

I tried nagging at my unconscious companion but all i got as a response is incoherent mumbling.

Damn my future sure looks grim.

I didn't know what awaits me in the future but with the hero sleeping soundly at my back, i took the first step towards this unusual foreign land.

—『Part 02 : The Two Otherworldly Travelers 』—

I stood impassively as I watched the branch that i was entrusted to be engulfed into a sea of flames.

My name is Mayumi Kisaki and i am the branch manager of MgRonalds in Sasagaya.

Or more like 'was' the branch manager seeing as my workplace is being turned into ashes right at this moment.

Words on the streets exploded about an hour ago about an airplane that crash landed into the heart of the city. I instantly opened the television to know more about the incident and i got foreboding feeling as i noticed the location of the crash site being aired live on the news.

My fears came into reality when i got a call shortly afterwards notifying me that the building where my branch store is located was being eaten by flames and what's more it's the ground zero of the incident.

"This is a nightmare."

I couldn't help but mumble as firefighters tries desperately to doused the inferno that was raging inside the burning establishment. It took six intensive hours but they finally managed to contain the fires but nothing was left standing in the end.

All was scorched in ashes.

Neither the building nor the MgRonalds store that was located on the first floor survived the hellish catastrophe.

Well there's just one thing i could say in this incident and that's,

"Shit."

I hate cursing but the situation definitely warrants one or else i might go crazy.

I tried contacting the head supervisor of operations after checking the state of the store but he just told me to take a rest and we'll talk tomorrow.

I exhaled a tired breath.

I might as well look for a new job.

As i walked lifelessly back into my apartment complex feeling rather depressed, i noticed two figures at the corner with unusual clothing.

Upon initial examination, they look like a ragtag ran away couple around the age of early twenties and the girl seemed to have passed out while the male got a pale complexion and was breathing haggardly.

For some reason i couldn't help but be concerned of the pair.

Weird.

"H-Hey are you two okay?"

I tried to calmly asked as i draw near their location.

The male suddenly looked critically at me.

I subconsciously held my breath.

—How peculiar.

For someone as young as him, the boy surprisingly had a really refined eyes as if he lived way longer than me.

"Kcar ecin emos tog uoy ydal yeh,"

I tiled my head.

What kind of language is that? That's the first time I've heard of such words.

Well they do look like foreigners especially the girl with the red hair.

"Are you two foreigners?"

I tried asking in English but the boy just stared blankly at me.

"Leef a poc i nac?"

He tried asking in an inquiring tone and i shook my head.

"I can't understand you,"

I tried saying in german this time but the boy just exhaled and closed his eyes as if concentrating on something.

I suddenly felt a sensation of light-headedness as if my mind is being massaged internally.

It seems all my depression is being sucked out and leaving my body.

—That can't be right.

I tried fighting the feeling of drowsiness but when i looked back at the boy, all my internal strength seemed to have seeped away as i gaze at his mysterious eyes.

The last thing I've thought of before blacking out was how did the eyes of the boy suddenly turned red?

—『Part 03 : The Two Otherworldly Travelers 』—

It's been hours since I've crashed landed into this strange land.

I can't help but be mesmerised as i observed my surroundings.

Even though it's already deep late into the night, there's still alot of glaring lights everywhere i look!

And it seems that it wasn't produced by magic or any kind of energy conversion that is currently known to me.

Just how are these people producing this kind of illumination?

Judging from their looks, they seemed to be an average human with no magical circuit within their bodies.

In fact, i can't sense any kind kind of magic residue in this land at all.

Neither on the nature or it's populace.

Of course it's the same for holy and demonic mana as well.

It seems nonexistent in this place.

However i could sense an energy source relatively close to demonic energy.

It comes off from some of the local people around especially close that area where the white metal dragon I've punched earlier fell.

If i have to make a hypothetical guess, my bet would be that what I'm sensing right now is negative emotional energy.

I remembered a certain demonic clan back at my realm that can feed on the negative emotions of humans.

Perhaps i could do the same?

I tried closing my eyes and feeling the negative energy around the people.

Good, now i tried imaging myself as a vacuum that siphons all those negative emotions and confining them onto my body.

"—!"

I widened my eyes.

Fumu!

It might not be on par with demonic energy but i could use this kind of negative energy as an alternative source for power.

After redoing the process for a couple of times, about ten percent of my overall power has been restored.

I exhaled in relief.

It's good that i found a crude way to replenish my energy.

Evading those noisy carriages with blinking red and blue lights on top of them is quite a handful especially since i have a sleeping dead weight on my back.

I didn't know why but my instincts tells me to never go near those noisy carriages and those humans with uniformed blue suits.

I've witnessed a scene earlier where a human in a bonnet was running away from them and this guy in a blue suit took out some black L-shaped metal contraption in his hands and a loud banging sound was then heard akin to a cannon fire.

The running man then fell into the ground with his blood spewing out shortly after the bang.

I wonder what kind of cannon is that?

Cannon's back at Ente Isla are a relatively new devices and weighs a ton and uses large iron ball as it's projectile.

However it's mind boggling how the people of this land could miniaturized a cannon into just a palm of their hands and pocket.

The civilization of this place seems to be way more advanced than either the demon realm nor Ente Isla combined.

Although one thing is for certain;

—This land is a dangerous place and i should withhold contact with any locals until I've got a proper grasp understanding of my surroundings.

That's what I've thought earlier but I've easily broken my decision six hours later when a lady suddenly talked to me.

She's using some words unfamiliar to me but from her expression, i could roughly guess that she's asking about our condition.

I initially wanted to ignore her but something within myself propelled me into talking with this stranger.

Of course she couldn't understand me seeing as i used my demonic mother tongue.

She asked me another question but i still couldn't understand a thing she's saying.

I gave the woman a critical look.

She doesn't look to be harmful and judging from her appearance, i could roughly say that this female could be trusted on a certain degree.

—Hmm what to do...

Should i use my demonic mind reading onto her?

I kept myself from using such magic for i fear i might get some unusual backlash if i did so.

This people are a foreign entity after all.

They might look a normal human on the outside but their inner composition surely shouldn't be the same as the humans back in Ente Isla.

On all my years of experience, one important lesson that I've learned is that one have to emphasize prudence on the face of the unknown.

Caution is for the old whereas precipitous is for the young.

However one cannot achieve something if they didn't dare leave the shallow waters.

Higher gains could only be achieved with the same amount of risks involved.

—Here goes nothing,

I tried putting her on mind control and readied myself for any unusual backlash that could affect me.

"..."

Silence.

After a minute of contained vigilance, i could relatively say that there's no harmful substance that's being feedback onto me. Direct connection with her psyche seemed to be safe and stable.

I let out a breath of relief.

[ Milady can you understand any of this word? ]

I tried projecting a thought inside her mind.

"Yes...i do,"

She said with a hollowed tone and stoned faced expression.

Good, thought projection seemed to be a success and are working well.

[ Can you guide me to a safe location? ]

I tried asking next seeing as my current location isn't ideal for a long winded interrogation and i might get some unwanted interruptions.

"My apartment is just around the corner,"

I nodded as i sent a thought to order her into guiding me into her abode. She started to walk back wordlessly and i immediately followed behind her.

We arrived at this 'apartment complex' about five minutes later. After gaining entry, we boarded this stange box that silently moves vertically and the door opened after that button that has '16' symbol on it lightened and made a ping sound.

We entered her room and i stood dumbstrucked.

Did i somehow made another blunder?

Is this lady perhaps some important figure in this land?

I cannot help but think so for her home could be equally be in comparison with my own room back at my kingdom. As far as my knowledge goes, only political figures and important personnel's could live lavishly at this kind of environment.

[ Milady are you perhaps a princess of this land? ]

I tried asking as i calm my raging nerves down.

The woman just tilted her head and plainly replied,

"No I'm not. I'm just your average employee on the working class,"

I sweat dropped as a cold sensation ran down my spine.

What a fearsome place i was brought into!

An average employee of this land lives akin to kings and royalties!?

The sheer amount of ridiculousness of this land far surpassed my wildest fantasias.

No good, all this revelations are taking it's toll on my constitution.

For now let's just enter her abode and place this guileless hero that's sleeping soundly my back for hours now somewhere where she could properly rest.

[ Name thyself woman ]

I sent another thought projection and she instantly responded,

"Mayumi Kisaki. You could call me Kisaki if you want,"

I curtly nodded.

[ Fumu, Kisaki i require a room for my sleeping companion ]

She walked towards some room and open it's door.

"You could use this guest room as you please."

I wordlessly head inside the said room and carefully dropped the hero onto the queen-sized bed located at the center.

The hero made some mumbling sounds but she instantly curled up and i draped a blanket onto her bodice.

"You'll never get away from me...Maou."

I let out a rueful chuckle.

It seems that this hero doesn't have plans of leaving me alone even in the dream world.

I kneeled down and put my left hand at her forehead to check her vital signs.

Good, everything seems to be norm.

"Is she your wife?"

"—!"

Damn, i completely forgotten about the woman behind me.

[ That's a crude joke Kisaki. The moment this lass became my better half is the moment I'll take my last breath. ]

I retracted my hand and stood up.

I looked back at the woman and projected,

[ Now speak, tell me everything that I've need to know about your land Kisaki. ]

—『Part 01 : The Demon Lord and Hero in the New World 』—

Madness.

This is madness.

After almost six hours of intensive interrogation, the only thing that i could think of that could properly define this land called 'Japan' is one word—Madness.

A land devoid of magic yet acquired a highly sophisticated society where everyone could have an equal standing and opportunities?

A land devoid of mythical beings yet could create such things that far outclassed any dragons and majestic creatures?

A land where it's citizens could freely choose the religion they want and pursue this thing called 'science' and have standardized education that doesn't discriminate between the rich and the poor?

By god,

This is a land of madness!

Yet strangely i felt envy towards this people who could achieve such immeasurable feats without the aid of any external powers.

We demons could tap into colossal energies that could level mountains and destroy towns yet our society absolutely pales in comparison with these Japanese people whom have a lifespan thrice as short as ours.

I am ashamed of myself.

King of demons?

Hah!

What have I've been doing for this past centuries?

These people only achieve this prosperity in just a span of a couple of decades.

It made me feel as if all my achievements in life are superfluous and redundant.

Just what have i achieved anyway?

Unify the demon kind? Wage war with Ente Isla?

T'is garbage in contrast to the things these people accomplished with the lesser amount of time that i have.

But nay, i should not succumb to depression!

I have no right to be depressed.

Alsiel and my demon kin are being slaughtered right at this instant.

I cannot afford to waste time dwindling around petty inhibitions.

The most crucial thing for me now is to somehow make connection to my last general to know what's the situation back at my realm.

With my current energy reserves as it is, creating a portal back at Ente Isla is an impossible task. The best i could do is to sent a sonar pulse back that could create a direct layline possibly to Alsiel or one of my lesser subordinates.

Luckily for me, i memorized the life force of Alsiel plus i knew the place where he might be hiding so i could narrow my search on a few selected areas.

I've only gathered enough negative energy that could just let me fire three sonar pulses at most so i have to carefully choose the areas to sent this pulses off.

The areas i choose is my Castle, a hideout that me and Alsiel agreed to ran into in case of an emergency and the closest human town at my realm in case Alsiel got somehow taken by those cretins.

I fired off the three otherworldly sonar pulses silently and my body felt instantly heavy.

"!"

D-Damn, i didn't know that sending off those pulses would take this much energy.

Is this world somehow cut off from the space-time convergence and is placed on a specialized dimension?

Ah bloody ifrit, I'm losing consciousness...

—『Part 02 : The Demon Lord and Hero in the New World 』—

Clouds.

I'm sleeping high above the skies.

That pleasant awakening feeling was the first thing that came into my mind the moment i regained my consciousness. I can't remember the last time I've slept this well.

Anyway, what is this soft touch that's enveloping me?

It feels like I'm at cradle of my mother and is safely guarded in her solace.

Ahh..what a glorious feeling,

I could spend the eternity in this embrace...

Silence.

—Wait.

That couldn't possibly happen.

Surely i have a mother but never in my life have i met her lest be in her embrace.

I have a father though but he—

I suddenly opened my eyes.

I looked down at my chest and —

"Kyaaaaaaaaah!"

And was see the sleeping face of my arch enemy the demon lord resting in between m-my...my...

Blood drained from my face.

T-This is the greatest humiliation I've ever faced.

Just seeing him with a peaceful look whist resting on my...

Argh!

I slapped the bastard before leaping back like an agile feline that's on the verge of being doused underwater.

This is a dream.

—No, it's a nightmare!

Why is the demon lord on the same bed with me in an almost naked state!?

Also,

Why in god forsaken hell am i wearing nothing but my undergarments!?

"—!"

D-Don't tell me something happened...b-b-between us!?

Almost all colors left my complexion when that idea entered my mind.

Oh God no...

Please,

Please no, anything but that...

I'd rather die than survive knowing that this demon had raped me while I'm unconscious.

Unforgivable...

Totally unforgivable!

Not only did he rob me of my homeland, killed my father without remorse and now he had the audacity to stole my chastity whom I've never even given to anyone!?

"Argh, t-that sting you know! Does heroes these days have no sense of chivalry anymore that they would struck their enemies even when they're totally defenceless?"

A deep-seated impetus within me started to gnaw at my reasoning after I've heard him say those tactless words.

"...Defenceless?"

I started with a low tone.

"Defenceless you say!?"

I repeated with my voice gaining decibels with each syllables.

To hell with reason! You can't reason with a Demon in the first place.

"I say screw you to hell! You dare accused me of lacking in chivalry when you we're the one who raped me while i was passed out!? Hah, what a hypocritical demon lord you are!"

Goddammit, I'm tearing up.

No...i don't want to cry in front of this demon.

I cannot afford to show any weakness for i am the hero.

—But,

Damn, it won't stop.

All my pent up emotions are trying to break free right at this instant.

"W-What blasphemy are you spewing woman!? Who raped who? I didn't do any indecent acts whist thee fair maiden were sleeping. In lieu you milady ought to be thanking me instead! Is this the gratitude that i would get? If not for me then you would be freezing right outside the cold at this instant."

"Like hell would i believe you! A demon giving a helping hand on someone? Hah, that's the most ridiculous lie I've ever heard in my entire life!"

"Then pray do tell me how did you managed to be here right at this room?"

I was planning to retort but it got stuck at the tip of my lips.

Thing about it on a rational sense, h-how did i end up on this place anyway?

The last thing I've remember is falling unto the ground while grabbing his back.

"So?"

The demon lord asked with a phlegmatic expression while crossing his arms together. He has an imposing look as if to berate me.

Guuh! The nerve of this guy!

I've narrowed my eyes towards him.

"That may be so but it doesn't prove the fact that you didn't do something while i was unconscious."

I retorted with accusing countenance.

I can see him closing his eyes and breathe out a sigh while scratching his nape.

"Check your body then. If i truly raped you then surely there's some marks or bruises left on your body. You could even check your Maidenhead if you want to be thorough woman."

I was going to do so but then halted my movements when i felt his silent gaze onto game.

I thinned my lips.

"Does demons have no sense of privacy?"

He opened one of his eyes and dryly responded,

"What? I cannot see anything from here plus don't flatter yourself lass. You have the least of my preference and less than half of my age. For me your figure is just akin to a newborn chick that barely leave her eggshell."

I huff'ed in retaliation.

Not to his preference he says!?

Good riddance, i wouldn't want a demon for a suitor anyway.

"Say anything you want. The point of the matter is that you're watching an almost naked girl less than half your age check out her own body. Well i wouldn't be surprised by your behaviour since all demons are perverted and pedophiles by default after all."

I thought he would reply to my careless barb but then the prick just grumbled and wordlessly turned around.

"Theres a spare of clothes at the table you could use. I'm coming back ten minutes later so be sure to be finish by then. We still have alot to talk."

He said before closing the door and leaving the room.

Silence.

Tch, quit acting cool and all for it doesn't suit a demon like you at all.

I thought so before examining the clothes.

—『Part 03 : The Demon Lord and Hero in the New World 』—

I returned ten minutes later with the hero fully dressed with the clothing I've borrowed from Kisaki before I've passed out.

She was sitting on top of the bed while hugging a pillow. Her face buried in it with only her eyes focused on me.

The clothes might be a little bit bigger on her especially on the chest portion but at least she's not only down to her underwear alone. We can't have a decent conversation with it distracting me after all.

"Have you calmed down already?"

I've cautiously said testing the waters.

She just wordlessly glare at me.

I shrugged nonchalantly.

"Based on your expression I'm deducing that you've proven that your maidenhead is still intact and unharmed."

The hero just gave me a single almost nonexistent curt nod behind the pillow that she's been hugging.

"Now that we've established that i didn't do any wanton acts while you were unconscious, I'd like to proceed on the more important topics."

"...which is?"

"I'd like to propose a ceasefire agreement between the two of—."

"Denied."

I sighed with a tired look.

"Just hear me out okay?"

The hero continues to glare at me relentlessly but she didn't admonish me so I proceeded with my explanation.

I've told her everything I've heard from Kizaki. I've also told her how grim our situation is. How this is an unknown land and is not on Ente Isla

"I'm guessing since you've forgone into drawing out your holy sword that you've already noticed that there's no holy or demonic energies in this land."

"Hn,"

"Based on that assumption, we can say that the both of us have no means or going back into Ente Isla since we cannot use any of our magical abilities at the moment."

"Hn,"

"Furthermore, this is an unknown land and it's social structure and framework is totally different from what we have known back on Ente Isla. Our lives maybe put in danger if we proceed with recklessness and subpar planning."

"Hn,"

I sighed as i tone down my growing inner frustration.

"Are you a damn mute that could only grunt in response?"

"I'd rather bite my tongue than talk to a demon like you."

I face-palmed myself.

This is pointless.

Why am i bothering of seeking this idiots cooperation?

"Listen you may hate me all you want but i don't plan on dying here. If joining hands with my archenemy could increase my chance of survival by even one percent then i would gladly shook hands with you with no questions asked."

She snorted.

"Heh you're like a cockroach."

"Well at least I'm not an uncooperative flea that doesn't realize the grimness of her situation. Oh please do enlighten me how do you plan to survive in this land?"

I retorted with a challenging countenance.

She fired back with a pointed stare.

"...What do you mean?"

I shrugged my shoulders.

Time to rattle this hero a little.

"Even if it's sparse and crude i found a way to replenish my demonic energy. That enables me into using my mind-manipulation ability to some extent. So now i could relatively converse and read a little of this lands language. Now hero, do you have a way to recharge your holy energy? or perhaps do you have the same ability akin to mine?"

The corners of my mouth curved up.

The sudden paleness of her face was all the answer i need.

Haha take that!

Now to land the coup de grâce that would seal the deal.

"I've also asked but it seems that this world doesn't have the same religion nor god that's being used back in Ente Isla. Hence you cannot possibly do the same energy conversion that I'm using. Also, mind-altering skills are mostly demonic abilities for it corrodes the mind so individuals with holy affinity couldn't possibly do the same trick for it would be like poison since it's not compatible with your holy attribute."

I smirked in total glee.

Playing devil's advocate always put me in a good mood.

I interlocked my fingers and assumed an intimidating posture.

"Now tell me hero, I could survive on my own but what about you? With no mode of replenishing your energy and not knowing how to interact with this lands locals, how could you possibly survive on your own?"

I could feel her resolve waning as her vision started to cloud. She averted her eyes but i could see her thinking of the pros and cons of my offer.

Anyhow, no matter how hard she denies it, what I'm saying is a total fact she could not overlook.

Just a little more push...

I feigned a nonchalant façade as i gave her a pitying glance.

"Well that was unfair of me, you are a woman after all. I'm sure you could find a way or two to survive on your own. Perhaps sell your body? All you need to do is just spread your legs and moan in pleasure after all."

She lowered her head while sagging her shoulders down.

Her countenance now is akin to a doll that its strings have been severed.

D-Damn

Did i push her on the edge too much?

"...te you."

The lass kept mumbling something and i cannot hear it so i crouch in front of her and—

« Smack »

I got slapped yet again.

"I hate you!"

She shouted with a pained tone of voice.

Her eyes got a new set of tears flowing down onto them as she stood up and ran outside the room.

Fast!

I tried grabbing her hands but she nimbly evaded me and ran out of the corridor.

I sighed in exasperation.

I guess i've overcooked my subterfuge.

I scratched the back of my head.

All throughout my prolonged existence, there's just one question that i never got an answer to...

Just why are the female kind so hard to handle?

I thought in annoyance as i look towards the dirsction where that hero ran to.

—『Part 01 : The Agreement 』—

I hate him!

I desperately ran away without looking back and just ran without any actual destination.

I couldn't stand seeing that smug look on his face full of pity.

I don't need his pity.

I hate him!

I don't care where m legs leads me but anywhere's fine as long as that demon is not around to pester me.

How dare he trample on my pride!

Little did i realize it, I've already reached the top of this building. I ran out of breathe and plomp down at the ground.

I llok around and It felt like i'm on top of the mountain but my inner turmoil kept me from appreciating the scenic view. On the contrary heart felt like it's submerged at the bottom of the sea.

Ahh, i give up.

My shoulders sagged down in tune with my depressed mood.

I don't know what to do anymore...

The bastard's delivery might be cruel but there's a grain of truth on what he was saying.

No matter how hard i dry, I cannot sense any holy energy around.

And what's worse is I've fully depleted my reserves to the last ounce rendering me completely vulnerable.

Goddammit.

At this moment, i'm no different than an average teenage girl of this land.

—Or possibly worse since i cannot communicate with anyone besides that demon prick.

I could try to learn the language manually but it would take a long time especially if there's no one that would show me the ropes.

I sighed as i walk near the railings and looked down towards the noisy streets below.

What a noisy world.

So unlike Ente Isla.

I miss my home world already.

Everywhere i look all i could see is concrete and less nature.

Anyway, what should i do now?

If only father were here then he could gave me some advice...

But that's no longer possible,

For father's already dead.

—Killed by that demon lord.

I bit my lips.

I hate him!

I would never cooperate with him.

All my sufferings and sacrifices would be for nothing if i reconcile with that heartless demon.

I would never accept him.

All my ideals and beliefs would crumble the instant i accept his cooperation.

I would never forgive him.

Never.

I—

'!'

—was suddenly enveloped by a tight embrace from behind.

What is he—

"Your pain and hatred, I'll take it all into me."

"!"

It was the voice of that demon lord.

For unknown reasons his voice sounds strangely melancholic as it whispers behind my ears. I couldn't see his face but for some reason his voice sounded rather sad yet firm altogether.

As if accepting all of me...

My hatred and woe.

That infuriated me.

Did he seriously think he could contain it all!?

"L-Let go of me—"

I tried to struggle away from his touch but his hold just tightened even more.

I don't know what's he's doing but it felt like he's messing with my mind. My head is getting bombarded by a soft sensation of lightheadedness as if all the tension and negative emotions are being sucked away from my mind in this instant.

He's doing something with my mind.

"W-What are you doing to me—"

"Like i said, I'm taking all of your hatred. Feel free to hate me as much as you want, I'll just convert it into my own power."

I was rendered speechless.

Y-You can't be possibly be serious.

So i have even lost my right to hate you?

I tried to struggle and hate the bastard for as long as i can but the prick just easily stole it away, leaving my mind with a pleasant sensation in exchange. No matter how much i rage he just drain it easily from me.

"I hate you!"

"I know."

"I despise you!"

"I know."

"I'll kill you!"

"I know."

I hate his voice filled with sympathy.

I hate how he sounded as if he could understand my hatred.

Stop joking with me!

As if you could understand anything.

I don't know how long we both stay in that pseudo-intimate position but he finally let go of me once i gave up resisting and just loosened my posture.

This is mortifying.

Even my hatred empowers the demon lord.

What kind of a sick joke is that?

My home

My love

My pain

My pride

My hate

This demon lord just took it all away.

I want to cry.

This is so humiliating.

Ah i don't care anymor—

"Emilia."

The demon lord which stated my name in a soft spoken tone of voice crouch down in front of me and pat my head gently.

I slowly opened my eyes as i gaze towards the face of my mortal enemy.

I wonder where did the prick even heard of it?

...and take off your hand on my head, i would have swatted it away already if i was only not feeling drained at the moment.

"...What is it?"

I whispered after scowling.

Much to my surprise, he bowed his head formally and stated,

"I require your help. I'm a demon so i only know how to take things by force but someone said to me before that doing this is the humans way of asking assistance."

No way.

Is this really happening?

"W-W-Wh-What are you doing! do you even realize what you're doing!? I'm the hero, your archenemy and you're a demon—"

I tried to reason out but then he cut me off with a firm tone saying,

"—Is there a law that prohibits a demon from seeking help from the hero?"

He said with much conviction.

Ugh,

That totally shut me up.

Geez, what the heck is this?

A demon lord bowing his head to the hero?

Totally unheard of!

Did he finally lose it?

"How about it Emilia?"

He asked with his eyes glittering.

Guuh! This is unfair!

My scowl worsened as i stared at him directly.

"Tell me...are you doing this on purpose?"

"What do you mean Hero Emilia?"

Silence.

"Mou! I don't care anymore, do whatever you want!"

Ugh i totally wanted to punch that smiling face of that prick.

"I look forward in working with you hero,"

He tried to extend his hand on a handshake gesture.

I responded with a pointed glare.

"Whatever demon lord,"

I smacked his hand away but he just shrugged his shoulders and wryly smirked.

"Ohho Hero and demon lord? you two sure have strange names,"

Said by an unknown feminine voice which came from the door.

I looked at the source of the voice and a female with a dark amethyst hair stood with her arms crossed while leaning leisurely on the door.

Is she a local?

But i could've sworn she used the Ente Isla's language just now.

I looked back at Maou and he had this stricken expression.

"H..How?"

He said with a surprised tone of voice.

—『Part 02 : The Agreement 』—

I knew there would be some kind of backlash when i used hypnotism on that woman.

But never have i imagine that some of my memories would also be sent onto her when i tried to manipulate her mind.

Apparently while I'm copying the Japanese language into my mind, Ente Isla's language was also sent on Kisaki's mind.

What's more her consciousness was still partially active while i was performing the hypnotism.

The only silver lining was that only the Etheans common language was sent and not my personal memories.

Is this the law of equivalence at work?

So does that mean that i have to pay the same amount of memories if i want to copy something from other people's mind in this world?

Well its a good thing that I've discovered that fact before I've tried to use a more higher tier of hypnotism skills.

"So, what exactly are you two? I've never heard of Entean language before."

Kisaki used our native tongue in her questions so Emilia can also understand what she's saying.

Hence we had no option but to spill the beans.

However all we ever told her was that we're beings that came from another dimension. We didn't disclosed the fact that I'm a demon kind.

Surprisingly, Kisaki took it in stride and even temporary offered us her guest room until we could find an apartment to rent for our own. Her reason was that it's not everyday that she could meet someone like us and we still have a debt to pay to her since I took her knowledge without her consent.

"I'll work you two to the bone. Especially now that i lost my job."

Kisaki said in an all professional tone with a wry smile.

"May i haply bade your ére profession milady?"

One of her brows rise for some reason after hearing my question.

"You know you really have an archaic way of speaking. You ought to fix that since you're gonna get unwanted attention. Anyway i am a family food chain manager but my workplace went up in flames just earlier so technically I'm jobless at the moment."

Kisaki said while sighing at the end.

"Is that so,"

I didn't know what to say since comforting someone is not really my forte. Plus what's a food chain anyway? Do people eat chains in this world?

She then shrugged her shoulders as if gesturing that it couldn't be helped.

"Perhaps this might also be a sign from above telling me to pursue my real aspirations instead of dillydallying on a company that have already achieved much greatness."

Kisaki then shared with us her dreams of having this job called 'barista' and owning a cafe in which she herself is the boss.

I listened intently as i became rather interested especially in the process of building a company. In a way it's akin to building up an army you see.

"So are you going to proceed with this dream café of yours Kisaki-san?"

I curiously asked while adding the proper suffix in which she told me to use this time.

"I don't know. Setting up a business is a time consuming and tedious work so I'm having second thoughts."

I made a curt nod.

"Well you are our benefactor so if you needed some help in achieving this dreams

of yours then please do tell us and we'll gladly aid you in your endeavours, right Emilia?"

"Hm,"

Sigh it seems this hero returned to her taciturn behaviour and clammed up again.

"Don't worry since i plan to do so but Maou-kun, you and Emilia-san really should get a citizenship certification first."

I tilted my head on the new term.

"Is that some sort of pass in this world?"

I made a rough guess.

Ksaki nodded before explaining.

"In a way yes it is. Normally you need to accumulate at least ten years of stay in a nation before you were given a certification but with your 'persuasion' skills, I'm sure you can work around it in some way."

I raised my eyebrow at her emphasis in the persuasion word.

Does she mean about my hypnotism abilities?

"You're not adverse in me using it?"

She gave me a lopsided smile.

"As long as you don't use it on me plus i'm a firm believer of using our God given skills to their full extent as long as it is not manhandled and used in wrongdoings."

Hm, i can't get a grasp on the personality of this woman. I initially thought that she's a prudent and just individual but maybe i ought to change that perception.

"...So how can we apply for this citizenship certification then?"

—『Part 03 : The Agreement 』—

"Seriously what's with that name you picked?"

I asked with an intonation of mock as we climb down the stairs of the establishment called 'city hall.' We just finished applying for the citizenship and we're now headed for this place called registrars office.

Maou gave me a bored look and said,

"What's wrong with 'Sadao' i think it has a nice ring into it. Moreover it think yours is more hilarious, Yusa Emi? Does your hero complex really ran that deep?"

I silently glared at the knave whose giving me a wry smile.

He then shrugged nonchalantly.

"Oh giving me the silent treatment again? Well remember that if not for me then you wouldn't get this certificate Emi."

Ugh, i knew that he'll shove that it my face on any opportunity that he will get.

This prick of a demon lord!

I kicked his legs in silent retaliation.

"Hey watch it! Is that how you treat someone who've done you a favour Emi?"

"Ugh, stop calling me with my name! We might be in a ceasefire agreement for now but we ain't that close that warrants you the right to call me by my given name."

He tilted his head.

"Humans are so weird. Is it not your given name so why should i use something else instead?"

"A demon just wouldn't understand. You boorish fellows doesn't know tact after all."

He gave me a critical look and retorted,

"And that's the problem with you, I'm willing to compromise here and learn your petty human cultures yet you admonish me without even explaining it in the first place."

"Petty!? Are you belittling us humans!?"

"Ugh Why are you so high-strung today woman? you've been so easily irritable than the norm ever since this morning."

I scowled and averted my eyes.

"I'd rather die than tell you the reason."

Maou made a humming noise before stopping and doing a thinking posture. I looked back and see him appraising me from head to toe in a rather annoying manner.

"W-What?"

"...Emi are you ovulating right now?"

"—!"

"I can smell it ever since this morning. So you start your menstrual cycle around this time of the month huh?"

"!"

I...I wanna die.

Someone please kill me now.

I flopped down to the stairs beneath me.

I was about to punch the daylights out of him but then Maou made a sighing noise before grabbing my hand to lead me somewhere.

"W-What—"

"Hush. Just follow me for now."

I want to shout at him to let go of me but the firmness of his hold accompanied by a serious look on his face prevented me from doing so.

We walked silently for about half a minute before we stopped at an area where there's a man and a woman caricature sign hanging from the doors.

"Stay here for a second. I'm just gonna buy something."

Maou said with an earnest expression before leaving.

Tch, acting all cool wouldn't save you from my wrath buster.

Though I wonder where did he go...

I thought as i sulk in a corner.

He came back a five minutes later and handed me something.

"W-What's this?"

I circumspectly asked while examining the white soft rectangular-like object he placed on my hands.

Maou averted his eyes and said,

"I don't really know. But there's this word 'Panty Liners' in the language that i copied from Kisaki and it seems to refer to a thing that could ease a woman's period."

Oh is there really such thing? This world really is convenient in more ways than one.

"S-So how do you use this...panty liner?"

Maou scratched his head and showed me an embarrassed look.

"Erm, I've asked the store clerk and she just said that you put it at the center inside your underwear. It sort of like a lid i guess? B-Buying those is embarrassing you know! since that clerk kept eyeing me as if I'm a weirdo especially when i asked her how to use it."

Despite my embarrassing situation, the image of a demon lord buying these things while being totally flustered made me crack up.

The mental image is too much so i ended up laughing out loud in front of him.

"Yeah keep laughing Emi. If you don't hurry then you'll surely stain that pants that Kisaki lent to you."

Oh god i can't stop laughing!

It took about a couple of minutes before i got a hold of my normal bearing.

Ahh that was a good laugh. I can't remember the last time I've let loose that way.

"I-I Know, you don't need to remind me."

I said while my laugh died down to giggles. I carefully walk inside the women's side of the comfort room but i peek back at Maou and timidly whispered,

"T-Thank you for buying this for me M-Maou,"

"What's that? I couldn't hear you!"

This prick of a demon lord!

He just want me to say it again. His senses are thrice sharp compared to us humans after all.

"Nothing, just forget it."

I said with a scowl before walking inside.

—『Part 01 : The Massage 』—

A week had instantly passed by and I spend it mostly by learning the ways of this world. Emi and i are still free loading at the guest room of Kisaki but we plan to move out soon when we gather the amount needed to rent an apartment.

Currently i am teaching her the language of this world. I don't know about the standard human comprehension but this girl rather learn fast. I ask her about it and she said that she didn't know but she could easily learn things ever since she was little.

Hmm, perhaps it might be because of her angel blood.

"Sãma?"

Emi tilted her head as she tried to pronounce the word in a funny dialect.

"No its Sama. T'is a suffix that you add to the names of people whom are superior to you. So you ought to call me Maou-sama from today onwards."

I got smacked in the shoulders.

Seriously, how can she retain her herculean strength even without holy energy?

I thought so as i massage my sore shoulder.

Since i cannot directly transfer my acquired language skills into her brain, i was left with no choice but to tutor her word for word when it comes to learning the Japanese language.

It's a tiresome and unrewarding work laden with woe but surprisingly this hero has a superb mind and keen intellect. She quickly learnt every new word akin to a sponge that was dipped in a bucket of water.

Even so, perchance it would still take some time before she would reach conversational level of proficiency in Japanese.

And I just hope Kisaki would be there when we start to tackle on the bloody kanji's.

Speaking of Mayumi Kisaki, she decided to carry on with her dreams of opening a café.

She's currently busy with gathering the requirements and paperwork's for setting up a business so she's mostly away and only returns late at night. Hence we have the place all for just the two of us in the mornings.

She task us however with the housework duties hence me and Emi take turns with cleaning and restocking the supplies of our temporal apartment.

Shopping for grocery is mostly left on me since Emi still can't converse with the locals. She on the other hand handles the upkeep of the abode and our provisions.

Emi's dishes are okay and edible (mostly) but they're not that astonishing that's worth of praise but she reasoned that she rarely cooked even back on Ente Isla so i guess it's justified.

I also wanted to get a job instantly for we cannot intrude on the generosity of Kisaki for a prolonged time. Hence i was reading the classified ads section of this book called 'newspaper' while teaching Emi.

"There's sure are a diverse kinds of job in this world though most of them requires this thing called 'diploma' or work experience."

I said in a nonchalant manner while Emi silently works on her Hiragana lessons at the coffee table.

She stopped her writing and retorted,

"Why don't you just hypnotize the employer to hire you, you damn cheat character."

I gave her a deadpanned stare as i flipped another page.

"It's not that easy. Even if I'm hired through backhanded tactics, it would still be pointless if i don't have the needed proficiency for the job and be fired instantly is it not?"

She shrugged.

"Then hypnotize the employer again to not fire you."

That respond made me chuckle.

"And you call yourself a hero? Why milady you're more cunning than a demon lord!"

Contrary to my expectations, she didn't flip up and shout at me but she tilted her head instead and perched her lips in a lopsided faux smile.

"Well i caught you off guard and managed to hacked one of your horns after all...that was the best moment of my life."

Okay that ruined my good mood.

"And your look when you noticed that i was a woman! Oh pray do tell we're you smitten at that time? Cause i could've sworn that your face turned ripe as a tomato when you see my face."

Now she's just messing with me.

—We'll two could play at that game.

I feigned a laidback visage and responded,

"Oh no, i was more surprised at that time. I already knew that you we're a woman even before due to your smell. But i was totally dumbstrucked since i thought secondly that you might perchance be a queer instead since i cannot find any cleavage in your figure at that time..."

My grin turned crescent when i noticed her subconsciously protecting her chest area.

"What's the size of your bosom anyway? A..no A minus perhaps?"

Good thing she doesn't know that sexual harassment is a crime in this world.

Haha, I'll never reveal that fact since teasing this lass totally alleviates my boredom after all.

"S-Shut it demon lord!"

I shrugged nonchalantly.

"Well you were the one who started it. I only returned fire in retaliation."

I glanced at her flustered face.

How weird, for some reason i find her pout at this moment quite endearing.

I wryly grinned.

"...Just so you know Emi i like girls with a good birthing hips instead~"

I teased while eyeing her ample hips.

"Fool!"

Of course i got smacked hard forcefully in the shoulders.

—But it's totally worth it.

—『Part 02 : The Massage 』—

"Emi give me a massage."

Maou declared one night right after he returned from his new job of being a construction worker. He instantly flopped down on the sofa before ordering me to give him a massage.

I looked pointedly at him.

"Don't want to although i don't mind if it's a massacre instead—A Demon Lord's massacre that is."

I tried saying in broken Japanese instead of my native entean tongue.

"Pft—hahahaha, what's with that accent? you totally botched the intonation of the words!"

He laughed like a madman whom is high on opium.

I smacked him in the head.

"Fool."

—『Part 03 : The Massage 』—

"Emi give me a massage."

I heard him say from the living room after he took off his working clothes while i was busy cooking our dinner in the kitchen.

I payed him no mind and soon got lost in the work of chopping the raw pork.

There just something therapeutic when the knife sliced through the soft exterior of the meat.

It's as if I'm sinking my sword at the demon lo—

"—!"

Out of nowhere something enveloped me from behind.

I looked down and found a pair of masculine arms embracing me.

I sighed with a scowl as i halted my cooking task.

"What the hell are you doing Maou?"

I tried to calmly asked whist staying still before closing my eyes in irritation.

"I heard that female humans love this kind of skinship and would be more lenient in doing favours for their males."

This demon lord said it as if it's totally fine and normal.

"So am i getting that massage that i want?"

Maou said in earnest as if he's really expecting me to give him a massage.

Well if he wanted if that bad then i guess i could give him one...

One hell of a beating to put his lights out for the night.

"I'll give you three seconds to let go of me and ran away before i sink this knife deep into you."

03..

02..

01..

Kisaki came home an hour later and she was totally surprised to find Maou filled with cuts and bruises all over his body.

—『Part 04 : The Massage 』—

I just returned from work.

Damn, I've been doing this construction work for weeks now and boy this job really took it's toll on my body.

Even if i have heightened strength, working hard labour for continuous hours is no easy feat.

I wonder how does my seniors have done this kind of work of years...

I've tried asking them and they told me that their secret is that their women's give them a massage when they got home from work.

Says that a woman's touch can totally alleviate the soreness of the body and leaving it entirely refresh by the next day.

That's why I've been pestering Emi for days now to give me one to test this notion.

I've done different things but alas, nothing seemed to have work that could persuade her into giving me one.

"Oh welcome back,"

She greeted me with a dry tone.

"Hey Emi can you give me a ma—"

"No."

I looked at her narrowly.

—Damn the drought continues.

—『Part 05 : The Massage 』—

I was leisurely watching something at the television when i heard the door slowly opened.

It must be Maou.

This was the usual time he would return from work after all.

What was surprising though is that i didn't heard any proclamations of wanting a massage. He's been pestering me endlessly for the past days to give him one but i refused to do so for I'm not his servant.

Just as i was thinking of it, i sensed someone flopping down beside me.

I turned around and—

« plop »

"—!"

T-That startled me.

Geez, this is embarrassing.

I lifted his head that's leaning on my shoulder and directed it towards the armrest of the sofa. What is this prick doing anyway?

Hmm, is he asleep?

"Maou?"

I tried shaking him lightly and he doesn't react at all.

Is construction work really that hard?

He's a demon lord for god's sake, how can he be tired from this kind of work.

Although thinking about it, this is my first time seeing him being this defenseless.

I could hear his faint breathing.

I tried poking his cheeks.

Ohh, I didn't know demons could make this kind of serene face as well.

By the time I've realize it, my hand were already gently stroking his head.

As i was about retract it Maou's eyes then slightly opened.

"Hmm, don't stop..."

He muttered in a semi conscious state.

"—!"

Is..

I-Is he purring!?

S-Stop it Emilia! Stop thinking that it's cute at all! This is the demon lord not some harmless feline of some sort!

Ugh, this is hopeless.

I can't stop being curious.

My hands on his head just won't stop stroking it.

And yeah he's definitely purring now.

How cut—No!

After a minute of internal conflict, I've finally managed to retract my hand from his head.

Haah...Haah...That was totally dangerous.

I was almost close into thinking that this prick is cute like a cat.

But that was totally unexpected.

"E-Emi? did you do something?"

He muttered as he woke up fully and rubbed his eyes.

I feigned ignorance and averted my eyes.

"No? You just flop down and instantly dozed off."

"I see. By the way are you in the mood for giving me some massage?"

I was about to rebuke him but then i changed my mind.

"Hmn, maybe one of these days if i feel like it..."

He was clearly surprised since it's the first time I've give consideration and not outright rejected his request.

As to why i decide that way?

Well if he purr with just a simple strokes in the head, I wonder what would happen if his whole body gets stroke instead.

I was kind of curious and looking forward to it.

—But I'll never tell him that.

—『Intermission : Alciel & The Demon Realm 』—

I was about to fall asleep when i felt an unusual tug within my mind.

"!"

The sonar pulse that i send off about two weeks ago had finally returned and with it the location of Alciel. Like i predicted, he is in the hideout that we discussed prior of my exile.

Adjusting the calibration of the pulse, i tried to make a connection to Alciel's frequency and awaits his response.

I felt a reaction and a static started to bombard my mind.

"Alsiel?... do you hear me Alsiel?"

I tried speaking feeling the tension rise within my body.

"...rd...hat..you my...l..rd!?"

"!"

"Alsiel!"

I tried changing the pulse calibration until i get a clear connection.

"Is that you my lord!?"

"Alsiel it is indeed i, how do you guys fare so far back in the realm?"

I could feel my general bemoan on the opposite side.

A bad omen.

"T'is bad my lord. The fortress had fallen, the royal guards slaughtered. Me and the few of my surviving troops had no choice but to retract to the hideout and lay low while those vile humans take control of our central castle."

I sighed.

Well that was expected.

"Where are you currently mi'lord?"

"Believe or not i was transported into an alternate dimension with no mana capacity. I think it would take some time before i could return back there."

"I see. Mi'lord, i think it would be better for you and our cause if you lay low at that place for the time being. With all of our key generals killed, our clansmen has no way to retaliate and do a counter offensive."

"How about the capital?"

"Don't worry my lord. I've ordered Camio to garrison the whole capital so any kind of siege those cretins would do surely will be futile."

I exhaled in relief.

"Mi'lord do you think it would be possible for me to transfer to that place?"

I pondered for a moment.

"...You do not have the capacity to open an inter dimensional gate right Alsiel?"

"Sadly yes mi'lord. All i could do is spatial teleportation."

"T'is fine. Do you remember my hidden room back at the castle? Assemble an infiltration team and sneak at that room. You will find an item inside my vault that might help you warp in this world. The pass phrase would be 'Ãlumbræk' Memorize this sonar pulses frequency and surely you can transfer here."

"Ah that's a good news! I would immediately assemble a covert ops squad and open a gate at that dimension you are in mi'lord."

I nodded.

"I would await your arrival then."

The call immediately ended and for the first time since I've come to this world, I've slept soundly and overslept which got me late for work the day after.

—『Part 01 : King and Princess 』—

"Where are we going?"

I asked Maou as he grab my hands forcefully as we boarded this weird snake-like carriage called 'Train'

This place is like a warzone.

All around me i could see people rushing around as they desperately tries to board the train even if it's already full in capacity.

Since the train is jam-packed with people, Maou and I had no choice but to invade our own personal spaces as we stood together at the corner while gripping the handrails.

"Why is there so many people here?"

I whispered while feeling a little peeved due to the closeness of our bodies.

"T'is the rush hour where all people head for their workplaces. Don't worry, we won't stay here for too long since our terminal is just the third station after this one."

I frowned as i tried to tolerate the situation.

This is grating on my nerves since the train keeps swaying especially when it brakes so i would occasionally bumped into the body of the demon prick.

I can hear a notification message in the background but since i still hardly understands the local language, it all sounds like nonsensical gibberish to me.

The train then slowly brakes after that making me accidentally lean on Maou yet again.

Gaaah! This is so irritating.

I tried to fix my disheveled hair yet again as the train stood to a complete stop.

I noticed him wordlessly checking me out and i annoyingly asked,

"W-What?"

He lopsidedly grinned and curtly bend his upper body while whispering something on my ear.

"I guess I'm wrong. You really are a woman after all since i've felt your soft cleavage just n—"

I instantly stepped into his foot.

"Ow!"

I glared at him.

"Fool."

—『Part 02 : King and Princess 』—

"Maou why are we in this god forsaken ran down place?"

I said while sceptically eyeing the sorry state of an apartment complex right in front of me.

"How rude, this my dear hero is going to me our next home."

Maou said in a rather proud manner.

Huh?

You're kidding right!?

I internally thought as my face contorted into a dumbfounded visage.

"Hey what's with that look? I think this is a good find you know. This is the only apartment in town that doesn't demands an initial down payment and offers a dirt cheap rental fee."

I turned my head onto him with my lips narrowed and stated skeptically,

"This place looks like it could collapse any moment."

He shrugged and replied,

"Well beggars can't be choosers. We have to make due with this place since we cannot intrude on Kisaki's apartment any longer."

I frowned.

"I didn't hear Kisaki-san saying that she wanted us out. In fact, from the looks of it she's even enjoying our company."

"That may be so but it's a matter of keeping our decorum. We can't free load on her place and impose on her grace further since that would bring impropriety. Surely a human could even understand this."

He calmly reasoned with me without sounding pompous nor domineering.

What's with this, a demon lord teaching the hero the proper manners and good conduct?

Ugh.

Hence i have no choice but to concede.

I looked back at the ran down building and exhaled dejectedly.

"...I just hope the inside isn't that much worse like the outside."

He give me that annoying smile again and said,

"Now that's the spirit! I'm sure you'll grow used to it Emi."

I scowled as he softly pats me in the head.

"Hands-On-My-Head-Off."

—『Part 03 : King and Princess 』—

"It's small."

I bluntly stated as i estimate the diameter of the room mentally.

"Yes it is."

He said with an equally blunt tone as he crossed his arms.

Can the two of us really live in this confined small space?

Ugh just imagining it are dampening my resolve.

This is impossible.

Oh father in heavens! this will be the death of me...

To live together alone with the demon lord.

I almost wanted to cry on the spot but i refuse to show my weakness to the prick.

—Just once is enough.

Anyway i could still tolerate our current abode since Kisaki is there but this...

Stop it Emilia! Don't tear up now, You are the hero remember that!

I psych myself before i succumb to a mental breakdown due to the unfairness of my situation.

Okay, i could do this...

Just think of it as a mission to keep a close look on the demon lord.

No need to panic.

This is just a surveillance job.

Easy Breezy.

I performed a breathing technique.

"Are you okay Emi?"

Maou said with a slight concern in his tone.

I ignored him as i walked forward and gestured as if I'm tracing a line on the floor.

"Okay we'll partition this room. The right part would be mine and the left side is yours. This is the proverbial line that separates our domains and you cannot step on this boundary."

I said in defiance as i trace a line at the floor.

"Hey that's unfair. Your half has the toilet. How will i relieve myself then?"

He scowled with his eyebrows knitted.

I just shrugged nonchalantly.

"You're a male, do it outside or something."

"Emi that's nasty. I didn't know heroes were this vile. So you want the outside to reek then?"

Tch, i really hate that logical mind of his.

"Fine! we'll create a contract for a right of pàssage then."

He gave me a weird look before letting out a curt chuckle.

"Contract for a right of pàssage? Seriously Emi you're treating this room as if it's a sovereign nation."

He humorously said with amusement glinting on his eyes.

I retorted by saying,

"It is a nation. My side is the Hero Kingdom while yours is the Realm of the tomfoolery."

"Haha very funny Emi. So, what are the clauses of this contract of pàssage then?"

I posed into a thinking manner as i think of a good rule.

I only said it in half jest but i never imagined that he'll take my proposition seriously.

Hmm, this might be a good opportunity for me!

My lips curved upwards ever so slightly.

"Clause one : Never should both parties touch the items and objects belonging on the opposing side."

Maou made a conflicted face and asked,

"Err what if something happens like perchance you got sick and i require an item belonging to you?"

Damn, his logic is on full throttle again.

"Well fine I'll amend it. Clause one : Never should both parties touch the items and objects belonging on the opposing side lest for a good reason—happy?"

Maou nodded with a satisfied look.

"...Your turn."

I said reluctantly.

"Clause Two : Housekeeping and maintenance of the room should be upheld in the whole room instead of just the side of the individual assigned for that day."

"I agree, it sounds reasonable enou—"

I instantly stopped myself at a realization.

Sure it sounds fair at first glance but thinking about it, He will be mostly away due to his weekday job so in retrospect, this clause is heavily biased since the cleaning would be mostly left onto me and I'm forced to clean his side!

Ugh this prick of a demon lord and his damnable logic strikes again!

He chuckled upon seeing me realize my blunder and said,

"Too bad since you've already agreed Emi. Or does a hero's word only amounts to a grain of salt that could easily be broken?"

I was about to pounce on him when he gestured as if drawing a line just like i did earlier.

"One cannot step on the proverbial boundary remember? You said so yourself."

He said in a totally amused and mocking voice.

Gaaaaah! I'm soo mad!

To be outsmarted by a mere demon!

Hence, i have no choice but to only glare daggers at the prick.

"Now don't glare at me like that. You were the one who wanted these restrictions Emi. Face it, this area separation would only do nothing but bring unwanted conflict between the two of us so let's just scrap the idea and try to live without much restrictions. This room is just too small already so why even bother separating it further?"

Silence.

I reluctantly agreed after I've calmed down.

This demon lord really has a point and yeah like he said, it's already small enough so it would be stupid to partition it just for the sake of our prides.

In the end we decided to rent the room.

After meeting the eccentric landlady who goes by the name of Miki-T (whom mistook us as a ran away couple) we decided to sign the lease contract.

We returned after that and after informing Kisaki of our decision later that night, she gave us her approval and she and Maou talked for quite a long time afterwards.

Kisaki also gave us some rudimentary items like cooking utensils, some clothes for me and a single Futton for us to sleep on.

We moved to our own new personal apartment three days later. The transition didn't took that much long since we didn't have much furniture and items to begin with.

With nothing else much to do, Maou and i had decided to tucked in for the night after eating our sparse dinner.

Since we only have one futon, Maou surprisingly grew chivalrous and offered me the full bedding while he simply opted to sat in a corner and lean to the wall to rest.

When i asked why he did so he just reply,

"It's a precaution since you might slit my neck while I'm asleep."

Heh yeah good intuition, i might really be tempted to do so.

Silence reign supreme with just the faint songs of the cicadas echoing in the distance which only could be heard within the night.

Damn this silence is so uncomfortable and much to my further annoyance, the room doesn't even have an air conditioning device like those I've seen from Kisaki's flat.

Even when we opened the windows, the air is still so humid and it's making my back entirely soaked with sweat.

Ugh, I would shamelessly strip down to my underwear if I'm only alone at the moment.

To hell with decency, i wouldn't get a wink of sleep at this heat.

I then suddenly felt a tepid breeze blowing softly behind me and upon turning my body, I've found Maou using a piece of cardboard he tear from the box to fan me.

I looked at him quizzically.

"...Maou, what are you doing?"

He gave me a bored look.

"Are you blind? I'm fanning you."

The prick said as if it was obvious thing in the world.

"I mean why are you fanning me? Don't tell me you lost your mind due to the heat."

He sighed before breaking our eye contact.

"I couldn't sleep with your endless grumbling."

I scowled.

"I don't grumble—"

"—Yes you do and don't deny it. Did you forget that i have heightened senses?"

I can't help but frowned with that response.

We stayed silent for quite a long time with him not tiring of moving his hands back and forth in a rhythmic manner.

"...Aren't you getting tired already?"

I asked not because i was worried about him but because it's getting awkward for me.

He returned my question with a question of his own.

"Aren't you still feeling sleepy yet?"

Silence.

"...Emi, Don't tell me that i have to tell a bedtime story just to get you to sleep."

I let out a curt mocking laugh.

"Hah, Do you even know a bedtime story?"

A wry smile emerged from his lips.

"Sure i do. Wanna hear it?"

Maou gave me this challenging look.

"I bet it's boring."

I said as i feigned lacking of interest.

Actually i was kind of curious but admitting that would be a suicide so i hid my expectations internally.

"We'll lucky you if you find it boring since you'll feel sleepy faster."

Well there's nothing for me to lose so why not?

I gave him a look that says 'humour me' and he intentionally coughed a couple of times before starting.

"Once upon a time there was a king and he ruled vast land and reign over different kinds powerful beings.

One day a princess from a foreign land barged in his castle seeking vengeance.

She's the daughter of the rivaling king that he had slain in the past.

The two battle it out for days until the situation degrade into an impasse.

The king getting fed up of the stagnant situation then used his ace magic and call forth a very strong continental-type of magic and destroyed everything.

However the princess survived the collision.

The two were about to restart their battle when they noticed their ruined surroundings.

Everything was annihilated and the king decided to postpone their battle to travel the devastated lands and the princess decided to follow him.

—and they lived happily ever after."

Silence.

I gaze dumbstrucked at him.

Wha...

"What's with that ending!?"

Maou gave me a confused look and said,

"Aren't bedtime stories always ends up with a happily ever after?"

"Still that's too vague! How did they lived happily ever after!? I don't think the princess would ever be happy being together with her arch nemesis."

I could see him sigh as he slowed his fanning for abit.

"Emi why are you being so ardent with the ending? Isn't it enough that the princess ended up happy in the end?"

"I just couldn't accept that ending! I demand a sequel foretelling the travels of the duo."

"By god woman you're so unreasonable, it's just a fabricated bedtime story. Although i guess that's fine since at least you enjoyed my story so much to that you're even demanding a sequel for it."

I...

"I-I wasn't enjoying it. I just felt pity for the princess that's all..."

Yes i truly did.

I knew that prick based his story on our own situation so i would never accept it if he says the princess is happy.

For I'm the princess after all.

—and I'm far from being happy.

In fact I'm anything but happy.

I don't know what would happen on the travels of the king and the princess but i truly wish that it might lead into a good development.

Their story might not end up in a happily ever after but at least i hope that the pair might reach an understanding between the two of them.

I sincerely hope so,

Our tale is just beginning after all,

"..Are you asleep Emi?"

"...Shut up Maou."

—The story of the devil king and the hero princess.

—『Prologue / End』—

『 Afterword 』

Firstly, greetings and my devout appreciation to you my dear reader whom have given an indulgent eye to this obscure aspirant. I have dabbled upon the realm of fanfictions but t'was years ago and i'd forgone my pen for quite awhile—years in fact.

However, this anime show foretelling the adventures of a hero and a demon in a unconventional manner had awoken my literary muse hence this work had been duly conceived.

You might notice that Maou is somewhat talking to an archaic way of speaking akin to an olden Elizabethan tongue and his behavior is more arrogant and refined but I think t'is justified given his canonical settings.

Based on my research, Maou's age is around 300 and roughly rounding it off we can summize that he was born around the 16th century and live up to the current timeframe of Ente Isla which is the late 18th century.

Given these facts, i think it's prudent if he acts like a mature pompous nobleman with an olden way of speaking considering his age and kingship status.

One thing that the canon let me down is they'd skipped showing the transition from a pompous prick to the canonical Maou that's oozing with humility. One of this fictions aim is to satiate that desire of mine.

Romance would be a total slow sailing journey and the plot won't entirely revolve on it.

This is non-negotiable.

I hate stories that's polluted with rushed fluff.

I think romance is more sweet if it's sprinkled in a proper amount on the right time rather than flooding the entire plot with cavity inducing love developments.

In fact, i plan this to be more adventure-based story akin to a strategic RPG game. For those not familiar to the term it involves, company building, army building and guild making for now.

I think that's all i want to say for now and please do not be afraid to review or comment. Even a simple one liner would suffice. Since t'is the only way for the author to know what their audiences preference are.

See you in the next chapter~