[62] Vacation in Illunia [10]

"...Understood."

Lena, after hearing the words of the lower-ranking demon, headed towards the Demon King's chambers.

The first time she was summoned in this manner, fear had welled up inside her.

Her body, is now a slave's.

She thought it wouldn't be strange at all if she were subjected to humiliating acts.

But in reality, none of the things Lena had imagined ever happened.

To the demons, humans were simply a different species.

They couldn't even distinguish between genders well, and if the hair colour was similar, they considered them the same person.

To them now, humans were merely livestock that understood language well.

On her way to the Demon King's chambers, she heard the voice of a young man.

"Lady Lena!"

"..."

As soon as Lena heard the voice, she muttered to herself.

'What is it this time?'

When Lena turned around, she saw Berius hurrying towards her.

He was the one she had felt the most pity for when he was first brought here.

Among the children dragged to the Demon King's castle from the Bethel Kingdom, located at the rear of the war, he was the youngest.

Because of this, he couldn't grasp the situation and always demanded his rights as a prince with great fervour.

And as a result, Lena was the one who suffered the most.

Contrary to the expectation that he would change someday, there was no sign of improvement in his behaviour.

However, after nearly dying a few days ago due to the Demon King's wrath, he had shown significant changes.

'If only I had died then...'

In fact, Lena sometimes thought it would have been easier if she had died then.

A death by an unexpected accident.

It was the only wish she had hidden in her heart.

But everything had gone awry due to the intervention of a man.

She both resented and was grateful to that man.

As soon as Berius reached Lena, he asked in a hurried voice,

"Huff, huff... Lady Lena! Did something happen last night?"

"...? What do you mean?"

"Phew... So nothing happened."

Berius muttered to himself after hearing Lena's question.

He was saying things that were hard to understand as soon as he arrived.

Berius handed a key to Lena.

"Lady Lena... I think it's better to entrust this key to someone else now..."

"I'll leave it to you again today."

"Lady Lena..."

There were two reasons why Lena entrusted the key to Berius.

One was that she felt uneasy entrusting it to other nobles.

The other was to imply that he should at least do this much.

In Lena's mind, Berius was beyond redemption.

He didn't do what he was told, and as a result, Lena always bore the brunt of it.

Lena forced a smile, took the key from Berius, and headed towards the Demon King's chambers.

She walked under the warm sunlight.

The sun, which seemed full of hope, contrasted sharply with her own despair.

Looking at the sun, Lena muttered without realizing it.

"...I want to die."

She wanted to do anything for her father and her people.

But there was no answer in sight.

If doing this for the rest of her life could save them, she was willing.

But Lena thought the idea that her menial tasks could save a nation was absurd.

The scale of her suicide was being weighed down bit by bit.

But each time a weight was added to the side of suicide, she held back her tears and added weight to the side of life.

Even if the scale broke under the weight on both sides, she wanted to prevent it from tipping to one side.

At some point, the door to the Demon King's chambers came into view.

The large black door was overwhelming just to look at.

The stone door, adorned with various demonic figures, exuded an eerie atmosphere that made one think it could turn the earth into hell the moment it opened.

And to Lena, it was a place that truly felt like hell.

Every day she opened this door and entered was the start of a blood-curdling day.

Having been summoned for two consecutive days, Lena worried about what task she would be given this time.

But at the same time, she felt a slight anticipation.

The hope that, like yesterday, she would be asked to attend to a guest.

Lena let out a small laugh without realizing it.

'How foolish of me... To think I want to see that man again...'

She wanted to meet the man who had spanked her and played the piano with her.

The dream she had last night was one of the few amusing things in this hellish life.

Even the dream of being spanked made her laugh in this hellish place.

But Lena closed her eyes, composed herself, put on a serious expression, and opened the door.

Inside the chambers, all the furniture tailored to Gardia was oversized beyond the standard.

And sitting across from Gardia, who was sitting at the table with his eyes closed, was a small doll-like figure.

It was that man.

***

"Hmm..."

Gardia, with his goat-like head, was quietly closing his eyes, lost in thought.

I had come to him early in the morning to make a request.

Even for me, who didn't fully understand the situation, it was not an easy request.

'If he doesn't agree, I'm in trouble...'

[Guardian, do you really have to take Lena with you?]

After visiting Lena's dreams a few times, I decided to take her with me.

Taking her with me wasn't an impulsive decision.

'As I said before, she seems like a really good woman.'

[I can understand most of the reasons for bringing her. I also agree with having her as a companion for Viola's education and conversation.]

Lena had lived in the same world as Viola. Although it seemed like a different world...

I judged her to be a suitable candidate as an educator.

Moreover, when I'm away, having her as a companion for Viola would be an excellent addition.

[And judging from your reaction, Guardian, she seems to be a suitable companion for the night as well.]

'...No need to be so explicit.'

Armonia was actively cooperating with me as long as it didn't interfere with my duties, no matter who I slept with.

For example, Lena was completely unrelated to my mission, but Armonia encouraged me to satisfy my sexual desires no matter what I did.

Could it be that she enjoys NTR!?

[You seem to be having some strange thoughts, but I'll let it pass. However, the last reason is absolutely not acceptable.]

'No! Just guarantee your sleep time! You really don't listen, do you?'

[What's not acceptable is not acceptable.]

In fact, it was the biggest reason.

Viola's education, my night companion.

These two were just added bonuses.

...Though the night companion was quite tempting.

In fact, that story is for when I successfully win over the lady.

Simply taking her with me, if Gardia allows it, Lena will follow on her own.

The problem is that even in this safe situation, Armonia doesn't sleep a wink and keeps watching me.

No matter how much I've been saying it, she absolutely doesn't listen.

'I'm not asking you to learn how to operate a machine. Just let me watch over you while you sleep and wake you up if something urgent happens.'

[There's a risk of delayed response.]

'Sigh... Then I'll just do as I please.'

[...?]

Armonia seemed not to understand what I meant.

'I'm just going to do as I please, and I'll do whatever I want with my body.'

[....]

Honestly, it was just a tantrum.

Because she was being annoying, I got irritated and blurted out harsh words.

If she were truly a cyborg-like being that didn't need sleep, there would be no problem.

...No, then I couldn't have sex, right? Either way, it's a problem.

Anyway...

The problem was that when I returned from my mission and stopped by Armonia's office, she was sleeping.

And it was a deep sleep...

Even with high mental strength, it was clear that something was wrong.

[....]

'...'

As the silence with Armonia continued, the large door to the room opened.

It wasn't a size that an ordinary human could open, but strangely, it opened with ordinary force when pushed.

Standing between the large doors was Lena.

As soon as she entered, her eyes met mine.

But she immediately closed her eyes, turned her head towards Gardia, and asked.

"Did you summon me, Lord Gardia?"

"..."

Gardia didn't answer Lena's words and remained quietly lost in thought with his eyes closed.

Seeing him ponder for about 30 minutes after my request, it seemed like a really difficult decision.

After another 10 minutes of silence, he let out a sigh.

"Phew..."

Gardia's breath ruffled my hair.

"I will consider it positively."

"Oh... thank you."

"Thinking about how you helped me, it's laughable to worry over such a thing. But understand that it's not an easy matter either."

"I understand."

Gardia, hearing my answer, turned his head to Lena.

"From today, you will be in charge of attending to the Guardian here. Don't worry about anything else, just follow this person's orders."

"...Yes, I understand."

Lena, who had once tried to behead Gardia, bowed her head and accepted the order.

She didn't seem to grasp the content of the conversation between me and Gardia.

After thanking Gardia, I left the chambers.

Lena followed me at a distance of one feet.

But right now, I wasn't paying any attention to Lena.

Armonia was the only one on my mind.

'...'

[....]

Even as we walked, I didn't exchange a single word with Armonia.

I was at a loss for what to say.

In fact, I might be worrying over nothing.

It might turn out that Armonia's sleep pattern is so efficient that it doesn't hinder my mission at all.

But I couldn't help but worry.

In my life, Armonia was the first person I had so many conversations within such a short time.

I hadn't even had this many conversations with my family.

Coincidentally, a garden came into view on the way, so I headed there.

'Armonia.'

[...Yes.]

Fortunately, she answered.

'Let's compromise for now. If I assign a task to Lena and she makes even a single mistake, I'll follow your words then.'

[....]

Surely this won't work either.

[Understood.]

'...Really?'

[Since you don't trust me, I'll exclude the unnecessary parts.]

'Why do you have to say it like that...'

She must really be upset.

I can't figure out what part made her upset.

Even though Armonia seemed emotionless, listening to her words through communication, it was clear she wasn't completely devoid of emotions.

'If hiring Lena causes any problems, I'll resign as COO.'

[Understood. If any problems arise, I'll demote you to intern.]

'Hey, isn't that too harsh?'

Fortunately, a small joke seemed to lighten the mood.

By the time I made peace with Armonia, we had arrived at the garden.

As I saw yesterday, it was a place that contrasted sharply with the black Demon King's castle.

The colourful flowers spread out widely had a calming effect on both body and mind just by being there.

Once I arrived at the garden, I started to feel hungry.

"I'm hungry, and this place seems nice. Let's eat here."

"Yes, understood. The food should be ready. I'll bring it right away."

"Okay, bring enough for two."

"...? Yes, understood."

Lena left the garden without much response.

Once Lena was gone, it was lonely with no one around.

I got up and headed towards where Lena had disappeared.

'Ah, waiting is boring.'

[Are you following her?]

'Yes, I'll probably run into her on the way to the kitchen. I want to see her nice figure again, hehehe...'

[....]

I wanted to see her firm buttocks again.

Not long after walking, I arrived at the kitchen building.

'Wow, it's so lively compared to the night.'

Unlike when I followed the kid, everyone was bustling around.

But then a large purple-skinned, bald demon of an unknown race started talking to me.

"Hey! Why are you just standing there!"

"Uh..."

"Hurry up and carry those ingredients over there, you idiot!"

Given his size, he seemed to be in charge here.

Without realizing it, I started carrying the load.

[...? Guardian, why are you moving that?]

'Well, that monster bastard made me do it without thinking...'

[You should speak up. Demons don't recognize human appearances well. If they knew you were the Guardian, they'd apologize immediately.]

'I'll just move one for now.'

It's a warm-up.

Not because I'm scared or anything...

As I carried the light box into the indicated warehouse, I saw a few human men slacking off inside.

The slackers, seeing me, made curious faces and whispered among themselves.

"...Hey, it's a new guy."

"Must be a new recruit."

"What's with his hair colour?"

First time seeing a black-haired foreigner?

They looked like nobles just by their appearance.

Though now they were doing menial tasks.

I roughly ignored them and moved to put the box down when one of them grabbed me and spoke.

"Hey, are you new?"

"..."

"Don't you have eyes? Where are you from? I'm the heir to a marquis from the Bethel Kingdom."

As one started picking a fight, the others began to gather around.

They started flaunting their ranks and status.

Are these guys hazing the new recruit?

'...Are these guys crazy? Should I throw the box in their faces and say, 'Welcome to the team~'?'

[....]

They were acting like local thugs.

I made up an excuse.

"I was told to move this. I need to hurry."

"Tch... talking back..."

"Hey, hey. Let him go. We'll teach him later, no point holding him up now or we'll have to move the stuff too."

"Phew..."

Fortunately, they ignored me and went back to their corner to chat among themselves.

'No matter the world, there are always idiots like these.'

[Guardian, you don't need to suffer like this for a break.]

Even though Armonia had been grumbling at me earlier, she started to worry about me.

Feels good.

'Okay, I'll just move one... It's light anyway...'

Not because I'm scared of that monster or anything...

I turned around, put the box down somewhere, and tried to leave through the back door.

But just then, I heard the nobles' chatter from behind the stacked shelves.

"Hey, are you really going to do it?"

"We already decided, idiot. We won't get caught."

"Sigh... Just because some guest showed up, everything's messed up."

"Anyway, he'll be gone soon. I don't know the exact date but..."

They were talking about me.

'I'll report these guys before I leave.'

[....]

This new recruit will deliver a heartfelt letter to the Demon King.

But as I was about to open the back door, an unavoidable line reached my ears.

"Hey, is it true that Lena de Feron takes sleeping pills to sleep?"

***

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