Morning has comes.
I stretched and yawned, welcoming the morning sunlight pouring in through the window.
“I slept a lot, and my back hurts.”
Oh my, what a terrible three-year-old.
Lazily curled up like this, it’s already been two days.
Since there’s a time limit for the quest, I also planned to explore more in the territory.
– From here on, it’s my job.
Lyat prevented me from going out.
‘I don’t think he can do it well.’
If he was capable, he wouldn’t have abandoned the territory like that in the first place.
Despite my concerns, there was still some time left for the time limit, so I decided not to act yet. Still, I had to pretend to listen to Lyat.
“Ahem.”
I yawned deeply and got up.
As soon as I did, I noticed Martin sleeping in one corner of the room.
Even if someone offers him a bed, why does he always sleep on the floor? People might think he’s being mistreated.
It doesn’t make sense for a mere three-year-old to abuse a three-meter demon, but anyway.
After getting down on the floor, I dragged the blanket from my bed and covered Martin.
He’s a high-ranking demon, so of course, he won’t catch a cold, but still, sleeping on the cold floor bothered me.
‘There must have been only one or two times I’ve caught a cold like this.’
Memories from my past life surfaced, and I groaned, getting up swiftly.
The corridor was quiet.
Only the sounds of training from the 1st Legion demons echoed faintly.
It was a rare moment of tranquility.
So, I didn’t miss this chance.
‘Hey, System.’
Since the System appeared after a long time, I had something to ask.
‘I’ve been trying to use the demonic connection portal or whatever you gave me for the past three years. But it didn’t work? How much magical power has been poured into me during these three years?’
I clenched my fist and stared into the air.
‘Even if I’m in a human body, isn’t this a bit much?’
No answer. I frowned with a perplexed expression.
‘Hey, did you bail? Are you scared?’
Ring!
[SYSTEM]
I haven’t bailed.
A spark flickered in the air, and soon after, a window appeared.
[SYSTEM]
To use the ability, an appropriate level of power is required.
If you have a brain, think about it. What did you do to gain that power?
As soon as I saw the system window, I could immediately come up with an answer.
‘Nisha!’
Three years ago, I noticed Nisha’s resentment towards demons and extracted the power of the Demon King, the demonic energy, from her.
After that, I gained the ability to use summoning spells.
‘The power the system gives, the fitting strength… The Demon King.’
Thanks to the power of the Demon King, I can continue to grow.
‘Right?’
Though the system didn’t provide an answer, I could be sure.
The timing and hints from the system all pointed to that being the correct answer.
‘So, I should create more homunculus like Nisha in the future?’
[SYSTEM]
You do have a brain.
‘Yeah. I won’t succumb to such provocations.’
With that thought, I raised my middle finger and immersed myself in contemplation again.
I know three homunculus: Pardes, Merdes, and Nisha.
Since Nisha is already on the list, I’ll exclude her.
The remaining two are twins… Do I need to persuade or allure them?
‘But I wasn’t close to them from the start.’
It’s most challenging for me to become friends with someone. It’s awkward and uncomfortable.
‘But persuade? Lure?’
Regardless of closeness, I can’t do it.
From birth, I’ve been unusually introverted.
‘I need to reconsider how to handle this.’
I murmured while biting my nail thoughtfully.
That’s when it happened.
“Lady Shekina!”
It was Arthur’s voice.
“There you are. I was surprised you weren’t in your room.”
“Mm. I came out because I’m hungry.”
“Would you like some breakfast?”
“Mm. Breakfast?”
“Yes. It’s ready.”
Arthur gently smiled and embraced me.
Breakfast preparations.
A conversation that someone might envy upon hearing, but it was definitely not something to envy.
Why envy a dining table where only dishes not worth calling food are served?
Damn demons who don’t even know what gourmet means.
‘Today too, let’s just swallow without tasting.’
I consoled myself, thinking that when I get a bit older, I might be able to go out of the castle and eat something like roast turkey that I had a long time ago. With that in mind, I went to the dining hall with Arthur.
However…
“Hm?”
I rubbed my eyes with the back of my hand.
“Um?”
I blinked again.
“Uh, uh, uh?”
However, no matter how much I rubbed, the things in front of me didn’t change.
The rectangular long dining table was filled with… food!
There was a delicious smell, and it was a mouthwatering dish with a glossy appearance!
There was actual, properly cooked food!
“Wha, what’s going on? Is this an illusion? Did you’ve cast a spell on me?”
I said while pulling on Arthur’s sleeve.
Then Arthur’s expression became strange. A smile that seemed like a wince.
He shook his head.
“It’s real, Lady Shekina.”
Arthur pointed to one side of the dining hall.
“It’s a chef hired by Sir Lyat. Although he is human, he’s said to be quite skilled.”
As soon as I saw the human he pointed at, my eyes widened.
It couldn’t be helped.
I knew that guy.
Two days ago, at the inn where I went with Lyat, he cooked for us…
“He’s excellent at cooking turkey dishes.”
The chef.
‘I’ve made up my mind.’
From today, I withdraw my support for Lyat. Moving forward, I will break free from the supporter-supportee relationship and stand united with Lyat. Any attack on Lyat will be regarded as an attack on me.
***
Martin truly welcomed a pleasant morning after a long time.
Was it because the sunlight was warm?
No, the sunlight in the north is always sharp.
Was it because the wind was gentle?
No, the wind in the north is always fierce.
The sole reason for welcoming this pleasant morning today was one.
‘The blanket.’
It was thanks to the warm blanket covering his body.
Martin immediately recognized the owner of this blanket, and because of that, he knew who covered him with the blanket.
“… Baby.”
Shekina.
Shekina Daimon.
Martin rolled the words in his mouth. As he did, warmth enveloped not only the skin covered by the blanket but also the inside of his body.
He let out a low chuckle.
Martin reflected on when he had felt this warmth before.
Nowhere.
Yes, throughout Martin’s three-hundred-year life, there had unequivocally been no such warmth.
– That little one, talking like that, seems like she’ll become quite cheeky. It’s a bit arrogant, but that can be tamed gradually.
These were the words Lyat had spoken last night.
Someone might think he was harshly judging a child if they heard it, but knowing Lyat’s filthy personality, Martin realized he was giving quite a grand compliment.
Lyat was also completely smitten with the baby.
– And this is what the little one said.
Before leaving, Lyat left behind one last statement.
– She said she forgives you.
Forgiveness.
Surely, he must be referring to when he aimed a sword at the baby and the monster.
At that time, Martin had no intention of killing the baby, Shekina. He only wanted to inflict wounds to release the monster summoning.
The reason being…
It wasn’t the right time for the Demon King’s seal to be broken.
The sooner that happened, the easier it would be for the homunculus to die.
So, he tried to interfere. He tried to stop Shekina.
But, regardless of these thoughts, the fact remained that he aimed a sword at the baby.
Martin naturally thought that Shekina would come to hate him.
However, Shekina didn’t reject him. She showed an attitude not much different from before. Moreover, in the ‘test,’ she didn’t use summoning magic as if she knew his intentions.
Deep down, being a demon, Martin couldn’t fathom the reasons behind Shekina’s actions.
Why?
Why don’t you dislike me?
Why keep me by your side?
Why do you naturally take care of me?
Thud.
Martin looked down at Shekina’s blanket lying on his thigh.
Forgiveness.
That is something that dare not exist in demon history.
No one can ask for forgiveness from a demon.
Because they would die before that.
But Shekina, the baby, forgave him.
“Ha, hahaha.”
Martin burst into laughter involuntarily.
“Hahaha!”
His inexplicable laughter filled Shekina’s room.
