Trotting.
I could feel someone sticking closely behind me.
Trot, trot, trot.
Someone following me wherever I go.
Trot, trot, trot, trot.
A big guy on the chase.
“Fyuuh.”
After letting out a long sigh, I stopped and turned around. To my surprise, Martin, with wide eyes, was there.
After having a satisfying breakfast, Martin tagged along as I left the dinning room. He continued to follow me like a tail.
Initially, I ignored it.
It wasn’t just for a day or two; something was off.
However, after hours of it, regardless of where I went, his constant presence became incredibly annoying.
If things are strange, they should get strange by themselves. Why come to me and act like this?
I squinted my eyes slightly.
“Maltin, why are you doing this? If you keep this up, you might even follow me to the bathroom.”
I clenched my fist and lifted my chin.
“Well, tell me the reason. Why?”
Of course, even though I appeared somewhat poised like this, I was not a match for Martin. My back still shivered. It felt like a hamster looking up at a lion.
“….. Baby.”
Martin’s mouth slowly opened.
“I’ll protect you. Stay by your side to prevent danger. Always.”
As he said this, he rolled his feet, causing the ground to shake, and my body twisted each time.
What’s going on? Why is he doing this?
It feels like he’s treating me like a beloved blanket.
‘It must be my imagination.’
Ahem. I coughed dryly.
“You’ve always protected me. Don’t say those things again, seriously.”
“……!”
Something crossed Martin’s face, but I ignored it and reached out my arms towards him.
“I’m going to the training ground. Gate, or something.”
“Fine.”
Martin hugged me with a smirk.
‘Well… It’s good that Martin’s strength has come in handy.’
I thought so as I gazed at the vast sky, missing the passing demons while smiling at Martin and me.
“Hey, Lady Shekina!”
“Oh, long time no see!”
Familiar demons rushed over as soon as I entered the training ground.
“What’s with the happy face? Huh? Did you have a great time playing outside without us? Huh?”
“Seriously. Some of us are stuck here, and we can only go out once a month! Is it unfair or what? I’m so unfairly treated, I might as well die! Die unfairly!”
“Yeah, I’m not unfairly treated, right? I went out with William yesterday. We drank a ton, you know?”
Noisy as ever, these guys.
Even though there were only three of them, they were making enough noise to break a hundred plates.
Still, I let them be.
Why?
‘They’re my mana suppliers.’
During the cold scene, these guys particularly gave me a lot of mana. They were the ones who quickly crossed the affection quest, and until the mana circle forms, I have to keep receiving it reasonably.
To avoid an embarrassing situation, I, despite being unusually reserved, am trying to stay strong.
“Guess what? I went outside for the first time in three years. Where are you, sheep?”
“I went to the demon realm.”
“Are you bragging?”
“Hehe.”
I extended the item I had brought towards the guy scratching his head.
“Take this and eat.”
“Huh?”
Other guys gathered around the one with widened eyes.
“What’s this? What is it? A cake?”
“Why suddenly a cake?”
I replied casually.
“He mentioned wanting to eat cake on my birthday. So, I bought one. It’s not the same, though.”
“……”
Since access to the main hall was restricted, I felt unjust, so I bought it when I went out.
It implies, “Eat well, boost your mana, and repay me nicely.”
However…
“Heeeey! Lady Shekina!”
“Our light! Our cutie pie!”
“Aww, Lady Shekina only knows us!”
I shouldn’t have mentioned that.
Ugh, annoying.
“Gross, you crazy guys!”
I tried to push away their hugs by waving both arms.
“Ouch! No! Lady Shekina can’t escape from us!”
“It’s been a while, where are you trying to run? We should stick together, right?”
“If Lady Shekina leaves, I’ll die. I’ll die! To save me, you have to stay with me.”
Rock-headed fellows.
Ugh, they really don’t suit my reserved nature.
However, knowing that they are not just hugging me but also infusing mana into me, I relaxed my body quietly.
Well, it’s mana supply for a 5-minute hassle.
That’s a fair trade.
Thinking so, I took a deep breath.
“What are you all doing there?”
A familiar voice reached my ears.
As I looked up, there was Lyat standing upside down.
“Assistant, have you come!”
“We were playing with Lady Shekina!”
They answered boldly.
“Playing, huh?”
Lyat approached, squinting one eye.
“Hmm.”
With a distinctive hum, he looked down at me.
But I wasn’t afraid of him.
Why? Because he was the one who sent the chef.
Lyat is in this with me.
So I greeted him warmly, shaking hands.
“Hello, Lyat! Long time no see. Going out again?”
“……”
As soon as he saw me, Lyat’s slightly raised lips fell.
Lips tightly closed as if he were angry.
I was surprised, adjusting my posture, and the others tensed up too.
What’s going on?
Swallowing a dry swallow, I cautiously opened my mouth again, rolling my eyes.
“Assistant, what’s going on?”
“……. Uncle?”
As if Lyat was wondering when I would notice, he put on a smile again.
“Yeah. Uncle’s here.”
Ah, this guy is strange too.
***
I glanced at Lyat sitting across the tea table after sending the other demons away.
He looked the same as usual.
Neatly tied hair, flawless ceremonial clothes, clean white gloves, and transparent outer glasses.
Everything was almost identical to before.
But…
“Eat this. It’s a snack that humans like, they said. Of course, I didn’t even put it in my mouth. Pathetic human-made things are inferior. But it should be different for you.”
Why is he doing this?
Is something wrong?
A terminal illness?
Am I will die?
I shivered at the chill breaking through the fever magic.
“That… snack.”
“Yeah.”
“You didn’t come to take me out today, did you? Shall we spend time like this?”
Thud.
Lyat put down the teacup he was holding.
“You’re going out with me tomorrow.”
“Huh?”
“By tomorrow, everything should be sorted out.”
Sorting out means managing the territory.
Not only the store’s items but also other things were all discussed, so they should be taken care of automatically…
‘I should go out tomorrow and check the final details.’
Thinking about that, so I nodded.
“But today, you have someone to meet.”
“Huh? Who?”
“First, finish this and bring it with you.”
Lyat took another sip of tea.
So, I had no choice but to eat the gooey snacks.
How much time has passed like this?
It seems like quite a long time.
Thud.
Lyat finally put down the teacup again.
He briskly brushed off his hands and lightly flicked towards the empty space.
“Come out.”
As soon as he said that, the empty space split, and something popped out.
It was completely red from head to toe, making me wonder what it was.
But it wasn’t justru that.
“Ugh! Huk, huk… Hello, Assistant and Lady Shekina! I am a demon operating a doll shop in the shopping district!”
Um, apparently it was a demon.
The red was blood.
He rolled on the grass with his wrists tied behind his back.
“Th-this demon, I could easily handle him.”
“Yeah, I made him like that.”
“Shouldn’t we save him before he dies?”
“Why? He did something deserving of death.”
“Hahaha! It’s okay! I’m a cheap demon even if I die! If I’m to be killed by Assistant, that would be an honor!”
He touched his forehead.
These damn demons haven’t left me alone since morning.
They’re not in their right minds at all.
Sighing deeply, I lowered my chest after remembering what I had told Lyat the day before.
– Dolls would be perfect gifts for the new recruits returning. Making them is your expertise, right? Is that okay?
I chuckled, recalling the gaze I exchanged with Lyat.
Then, I turned my gaze to the fallen demon.
