In the eyes of demons, humans cannot be understood.
That is, unless you directly experience whether humans are actually feeling something strange, you won’t know.
Lyat, as if realizing this simple fact just now, furrowed his brow slightly.
“Should I ask the people living here?”
Lyat stared at Shekina, whose eyes were twinkling brightly, with a thoughtful expression.
The words of this young homunculus were not incredibly genius or dazzling thoughts worthy of admiration.
But because of that, he felt embarrassed.
He hadn’t thought about questions that would be convincing until now.
The flowers of the demon realm, the poisons of the demon realm, the items of the demon realm… These were so natural to demons who had spent a long time in the demon realm that they couldn’t perceive the strangeness itself.
‘If this baby hadn’t mentioned it, everything might have been turned upside down.’
Lyat bit down on the flesh in his mouth, squinting his eyes.
‘Perhaps…’
Perhaps the humans living here might be aware.
If that’s the case?
‘They must be killed.’
So that no one notices, so that the words don’t leak out.
With that in mind, Lyat raised his chin, took out a pocket watch from his pocket, and checked the time.
8:00 PM.
Putting the watch back, he spoke to Shekina, who was still holding onto his sleeve.
“Shall we have dinner? It might be easier to talk while eating.”
Shekina’s eyes involuntarily turned. Dinner? The food humans eat? The food I ate?
I can’t miss this chance!
“I like mweat. I really like them.”
“Sure.”
Lyat, who had been looking around, soon took Shekina and entered a nearby restaurant.
It seemed to occupy a relatively large area in the commercial district, and upon entering, it appeared to operate both a restaurant and an inn.
As a result, there were quite a few customers. Only one or two tables were left vacant.
“Welcome! Are you two together?”
Ugh, humans.
I hate it.
Lyat slightly wrinkled his nose, but with the stronger realization that he needed to conceal his identity, he nodded obediently.
The human employee guided Lyat and Se
Shekina to a window seat.
“Here’s the menu. Today, the turkey with chili sauce is particularly delicious!”
Lyat casually glanced over the menu.
He thought there was no need to choose since it was just the mediocre dishes made by these insignificant humans.
Drip, drip, drip.
Lyat noticed Shekina’s drool flowing. “I want mweat! I want mweat! Mweat, mweat, mweat!”
…Does this one usually starve? Doesn’t Martin feed her well? Doesn’t Arthur pay attention?
Lyat, genuinely surprised for the first time in a while, took off his sunglasses, pressed his fingertips firmly around his eyebrows, and muttered, “Wipe your drool and speak.”
“Okay.”
Shekina awkwardly wiped his mouth with a tissue, and Lyat, with a tongue-in-cheek look at him, eventually ordered the turkey.
“Yes, order received!”
If you got it, hurry up and leave.
Lyat gave a stern look at the human employee, but strangely, the person didn’t leave the table.
“I have something to say that cannot be overlooked.”
Just pass by. Get lost.
“You’re really cute, young lady.”
…Young lady?
“Just seeing the young lady might makes your father stomach full!”
Father?
Lyat involuntarily half-opened his mouth, looking at the human employee.
Lowering his gaze at Shekina, then turning it back to the human employee.
This insignificant human dares to compare me, the great homunculus!
I’ll kill him…!
“Aack! No, that’s not true!”
What stopped Lyat, who was about to explode magic to melt the human in front of him, was Shekina’s tearful voice.
“Not my father, no! This person isn’t my father! Absolutely not!”
Right.
I am not the father of homunculus.
I am a great demon.
‘…However.’
The feeling was peculiar.
Hmm. What is it?
***
‘Did all of this chaos happen because he wanted to die after killing me?’
The old saying that ignorant people are brave fits perfectly. I cautiously sensed Lyat’s energy that had surged fiercely just a moment ago and swallowed my breath.
Although Lyat at is small like a dwarf, to the level of reaching others’ chests at best! Still, he is a high-ranking demon!
Did that guy unleash magic here?
Then everyone here would die.
Including you?
Including me!
‘But why did he provoke and then sit down!’
I was struggling to persuade him little by little to listen to me!
I glared at the employee with a trembling fist. The employee scratched his cheek, looking embarrassed.
“Ha, haha… He is not your father. So, may I ask what your relationship is?”
No, why again? I just have saved your life a sec ago.
I could see the flames of anger reflected in Lyat’s gray eyes.
“Time is time, and region is region, so we need to record the identity of unfamiliar visitors. If it’s a family relationship, it’s fine, but if not, we have to report to the security team and then conduct an interrogation…”
“Family, we are family!”
I shouted before the scream could burst from Lyat’s throat.
The Northern Guard here is composed of humans, not demons.
Didn’t I mention earlier? Many ex-convicts live in the north. The ex-convicts wielding swords gathered to form the security team.
‘Those ruthless guys were famous even in the game, so let’s not get involved.’
They were crazy enough to rival demons.
“Family! We’re family! Got it? We live together in the same place, so we’re family, right?”
Lyat’s eyebrows furrowed haphazardly at my words. But I couldn’t stop talking.
“Th-then, about the relationship…”
“My uncle!”
So, I closed my eyes tightly and shouted.
“It’s my uncle!”
Will this be understood? Will this be accepted? My heart pounded erratically.
“Hm.”
If it feels like the intensity in Lyat’s eyes has diminished a bit, is it just my imagination?
“Homunculus is my niece…”
Please don’t say such things out loud.
It’s scary to think it might be revealed.
“Uncle, do you know why we’re here?”
(= If they find out you’re a demon, it’s game over. Match my words if you don’t want to be exorcised.)
Whether he understood my intention or not, Lyat’s rigid expression gradually softened.
“Alright… This kid is my niece.”
“Ah! I see. Understood. Then, I’ll prepare the food right away.”
The employee left with another friendly smile.
It seemed that Lyat, as an adult, was convinced not because of Lyat but because I claimed to be his uncle first.
“Phew…”
Finally relaxed, I released the tension in my shoulders and rested my head on the table.
“Sir Lyat, sorry. I just didn’t want any unnecessary suspicion from humans. They notice even the slightest oddity.”
And quickly apologized.
Given the circumstances, I had no choice but to lie. Riat is a high-ranking demon, and being associated with someone like me as family could be repulsive.
“Are you angry, sir Lyat?”
Since there was no response, I cautiously asked.
“… You.”
Lyat’s cold voice echoed. Swallowing dry saliva, I slowly lifted my head.
“Will you still call me sir Lyat in front of humans?”
Lyat’s face, as I faced him, was more composed than I expected.
He didn’t seem angry… What should I say? Strangely, he looked pleased?
Why is that?
It wasn’t something to dwell on right now. So, I quickly replied.
“Well, in front of humans, maybe ‘uncle’ is more appropriate?”
“Then, call me that from now on.”
“Huh?”
“Even when we’re alone, call me that.”
Why?
Do I have to?
I don’t like it.
Despite my refusal bubbling up to my lips, it was a word I couldn’t bring myself to say out loud.
I was still a powerless and young child.
“Yes, uncle.”
So, I replied like that and buried my nose in the water cup.
Unaware, I didn’t see Lyat, who was looking at me with a lifted corner of his mouth.
