Shekina wandered aimlessly after leaving the Demon King’s office.
She had a lot to think about.
‘I need to go to the capital and handle two things first.’
One was to investigate the Crown Prince’s death.
The other was to find out about Lucifer’s future plans.
It was a known fact that the Crown Prince’s death involved black magic, but the process was crucial. She needed to understand the details of how it happened.
And as for Lucifer’s future plans…
‘If he’s aiming for a world destruction ending, I have some guesses.’
But since nothing was certain, she needed to investigate.
‘So, there’s a place I need to go as soon as I arrive in the capital.’
Shekina smirked and organized her upcoming plans.
Ring!
[SYSTEM]
You can’t face Lucifer right now!
[SYSTEM]
With only one life left, take good care of it!
“Are you worrying about my life? Did you impose a death penalty on me? Did you want to die also?”
As soon as Shekina’s angry voice rang out, the system recoiled and fled.
Looking at the now peaceful space, Shekina chuckled.
“Of course, I won’t face him now.”
No matter how capable she was, she was currently in the body of a mere 3-year-old. Additionally, she couldn’t use any proper magic other than summoning. She couldn’t face Lucifer in such a state.
So,
“I won’t be the one to face him.”
She would use someone else.
Shekina chuckled and rubbed her hands together.
At that moment,
“Shekina!”
Yurian appeared from the other end of the corridor. He looked delighted, but his appearance was slightly disheveled, unusual for him.
“Yuri… I mean, what’s with that look?”
Shekina was careful not to call him Yurian, as Didi might directly come running to them.
“My looks?”
Yurian, approaching Shekina, finally looked down at himself.
“Oh… I was with the twins.”
“Did you fight?”
“No way.”
Yurian answered with a bright smile.
“I just beat them up one-sidedly. They’re no match for me.”
“Oh.”
Shekina silently mourned the twins and kept her mouth shut.
No matter how kind he seemed, he was the strongest among the homunculus. A being with the talent of a great wizard.
So, she shouldn’t mess with him.
‘It feels like there are more and more people I shouldn’t mess with…’
Shekina smacked her lips.
“You said you’re going to the capital? With the twins?”
“Yeah. I wanted to go alone, but Han said it would be better if the twins came too.”
“I see…”
Yurian, with a subtle expression, soon looked down at Shekina with sparkling eyes.
“I learned something from humans while I was at the academy.”
Shekina tilted her head. Yurian continued.
“Humans form families. In a family, the mother’s word is the law, followed by the father, and then the eldest.”
Shekina, being human, naturally knew this and nodded. Yurian’s lips curved into a smile.
“Then, among us, I’m the eldest, right?”
“Well, I guess so.”
“Then our Shekina should listen to me, right?”
Why would it be like that?
Just as Shekina’s mouth opened to ask,
Yurian grabbed Shekina’s arms and leaned in.
“The twins. Never let them loose from your sight.”
“…Huh?”
“If you let them loose from your sight, you never know what might happen. Seriously. Really. I mean it.”
As Shekina was puzzled about the situation, Yurian quickly handed something to her.
“Here, a leash.”
“…….”
“And these are handcuffs.”
“………”
“And though I hope you won’t need this, just in case. It’s a tranquilizer.”
“……….”
As the eldest,
This guy is planning to kill his younger siblings.
Among us, the most normal person is…
‘Is it only me?’
Shekina seriously pondered.
***
At that moment, Lucart was sitting at his desk, gazing around the room.
On the sofa sat Lyat, Martin, Calvin, and Arthur.
They were having a heated argument, and the topic was,
“Why do you get to go with Shekina and not me?”
“It’s unfair. It’s safest if I go with her.”
“I hate being with you all, but I want to go with the cat, so I’ll join!”
They were all insisting that they should accompany Shekina to the capital.
These were the main members of the Demon King’s army.
Adviser Lyat, 1st Corps Commander Martin, and 4th Corps Commander Calvin.
Half of the talent leading the Demon King’s army.
And yet, they were getting heated over such a trivial topic… Lucart felt dizzy.
Does he really have to be with these guys?
Suppressing his urge to throw them into a lava pit immediately, he raised his gaze.
“Listen to my command.”
He spoke to the demons, who had fierce looks on their faces.
“Lyat is too small to be called an adult. You’re so small but your face looks old, which makes you stand out. You can’t go unless you’re pretending to be a dwarf.”
“But, my Lord! The humans in the territory didn’t seem to mind me!”
“Do you think the humans in the North are normal?”
“…I was wrong.”
Lyat clammed up like a seashell.
The humans in the North are strange. They seem broken, as if they’re missing a few screws. It’s likely because the outcasts of human society have gathered there. Because of this, the Demon King and the First Elder, Nord, always said not to judge all humans by the standards of the North.
“Next, Martin.”
Ignoring Lyat’s disheartened expression, Lucart turned to Martin.
“You’re too big.”
“………!”
Martin stood up suddenly, then looked down at his own body before sitting back on the sofa and curling up.
“If I do this, no one will notice.”
“You think you can go to the capital looking like a pill bug? Rejected.”
Martin wore an aggrieved expression, but there was nothing to be done. Taking Martin, who was nearly 3 meters tall, to the capital would cause a commotion. Moreover, Martin’s face looked more intimidating than anyone else’s.
Lucart shook his head.
“Well then, my Lord! How about me?”
Calvin raised his hand. Lucart furrowed his brow.
“Can you share a carriage with the homunculus?”
“That, that’s…!”
“You’ll have to sleep in a bed used by an unknown human.”
“Ugh, ugh!”
Calvin, who had severe mysophobia, imagined it. Being cramped in a carriage, breathing the same dirty air. Sleeping in an inn, using bedclothes of uncertain cleanliness. Using utensils that others had used.
“I, I…”
The choice between the cat and his own comfort.
After deep contemplation, Calvin finally lowered his head.
“I’ll give up…”
Calvin sniffled and squeezed his eyes shut.
Lucart looked at Calvin, who was still curled up, and at Martin, who was hunched like a ball. Then he saw Lyat, who was flipping through a magic book, looking for a ‘growing spell.’
He thought to himself,
I should overhaul the Demon King’s army.
These guys can’t accomplish anything.
He sighed, thinking that the Demon King’s dignity had declined, and it was likely because of the homunculus called Shekina, not because of him.
“Ah, really. You guys are truly pathetic.”
At that moment, Arthur, who was sitting in an armchair in the corner, spoke up.
“That’s why you should live as calmly and normally as I do. That’s how you get permission to accompany Shekina.”
He grinned and shrugged.
“I’ll have fun. See you all later!”
“……….”
Everyone else in the room looked at Arthur with complex expressions. Hmm? Arthur felt something was off and tilted his head.
“Arthur.”
“Yes?”
You’re forbidden from doing something alone while you’re in the capital.”
“What?! Why? Why? I’m the most normal one here!”
“……….”
Normal?
A guy who played with Lucifer’s corpse under the guise of torture? With a sane mind?
Among the four, Arthur was the most abnormal. Once he started, he would completely lose control.
“Strictly forbidden! That’s an order.”
“Ah! This is too much! I was going to buy a gift for Shekina!”
Arthur sat down and sobbed, but Lucart didn’t even spare him a glance.
‘How in the world…’
Why?
He wondered.
What is it about that homunculus that changed the demons so much?
These guys who never wanted to go near humans, what happened to them?
Lucart realized he had spent nearly half a month in the Demon King’s castle but hadn’t spent much time with the homunculus.
‘I’ll keep a close eye on them this time.’
He would find out what kind of trick they used and whether it was appropriate.
Lucart’s’ eyes gleamed.
***
Clatter, clatter.
A carriage carrying Shekina, the twins, and Arthur moved through the snow.
The Demon King, Lucart, had said he would follow later, so Shekina thought the journey would be relatively comfortable, but…
“Shekina! Look over there! There’s a cliff!”
“If we keep going straight, will we find a human village?”
“Lady Shekina! It’s meal time! Please eat!”
So annoying.
Noisy.
Shekina regretted coming out with this troublesome group.
‘I should’ve insisted on bringing Martin.’
If she had, it would have been heavy but at least quiet.
‘Or maybe Lyat? Calvin?’
Anything would be better than these twins and Arthur…
Shekina thought as she stroked Sera, the cat, sitting on her lap.
Then,
“Hmm?”
Merdes, who had his nose pressed against the window, tilted his head.
“Everyone, look there! There’s something!”
Merdes pounded on the window, and everyone in the carriage automatically turned their attention to the spot.
And there…
