GalaxyTL
No matter what they tell me, I’m not going to be surprised. I wonder how many times I’ve said that. When I’m with Meg and her family, I often find myself questioning what’s normal. But I’m gradually realizing that if I let it bother me, I lose.
So, I can’t afford to be surprised by every little thing. That’s what I was thinking, but…
“You need to become stronger than anyone else.”
Well, of course, I’d be surprised if the top two people in the Demon Continent told me that. And to be stronger than Gil-san? That’s impossible. He’s so strong, he could kill someone with just his killing intent!
But seeing those two, that aura that wouldn’t allow for any objections, how desperate they seemed, I couldn’t refuse. It wasn’t about whether I could do it, I had to. It was like a blow to the head with a blunt object.
This is my mission. Something I have to do.
I’m sure it’ll be a tough and painful journey. But Ravi’s also going to have to work hard to live from now on. I also want to desperately live.
Every time I see Ravi, I want to surprise her. I want her to look forward to seeing me again. To think that she has to live a long life. It might be brazen to think of myself as her reason to live, but I want to at least be something she can look forward to.
“So… this is goodbye for now… Licht…”
Meg said that dejectedly. Honestly, crybabies don’t change easily.
We haven’t known each other for that long, but I think of Meg and Ronny as my real siblings. It’s true that I’m a bit sad about separating, but it’s not like it’s forever!
“I’ll come visit sometimes! So you guys should come too! Ronny, you have to go back to the mine periodically, right? We can see each other then too.”
“Yeah, I’ll visit.”
“Yeah! Me too!”
They both said that with joyful smiles. It’s much better than a gloomy farewell.
“Leave Licht to me. I’ll give him excellent instructors! And Meg… you should come see me too…”
“O-Of course! I’ll go see you, Father-sama!”
Meg hurriedly answered. You definitely forgot, didn’t you? I feel sorry for the Demon King…!
“See you later, Licht! I’ll write you letters!”
“Yeah! See ya!”
And so, Meg and the others took off again. Gil-san’s the one carrying everyone this time. Haa, will I ever be able to… win against someone like him? It’s a long road ahead.
But they say even a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
“Well then, shall we head for the castle, Licht?”
“Ah, okay!”
So it was decided that I’ll be heading to Demon Castle. Wow, I’m kinda excited.
When we arrived at the city where the castle is, there were many people with animal ears, scales, and tails… the so-called demi-humans. Wow, so fantastical. And everyone was friendly. Or rather, they love the Demon King. They were all smiling as they greeted him with, “Welcome back.”
Is it like this in the city where the guild is too? I couldn’t walk around, but I’ll look forward to it next time.
“Demon King-sama, who’s this?”
“Huh? A human?”
The people who gathered around were peering at me with interest. It’s kinda scary. I mean, they’re friendly, but still!
“Indeed. This is Licht. He’ll be working at Demon Castle. He’s a young man with potential. Please, be kind to him.”
Thanks to the Demon King’s introduction, everyone smiled and welcomed me. I’m so grateful! It’s much… livelier than I’d imagined, the city surrounding Demon Castle!
It was taking us a while to reach the castle because people were constantly calling out to us. Or rather, I think the Demon King was doing it on purpose. It might be to let everyone know about me, but could it be… that he didn’t want to go back? The closer we got to the castle, the more he sighed.
By the time we finally reached the castle, it felt like an hour had passed. Isn’t that taking too long? The Demon King looked reluctant. He even muttered that he didn’t want to work.
“Haa, Licht. I, um, need to speak to some people first. Would you wait in the hall for a while…?”
“Ah, okay… good luck…”
I watched as the Demon King headed for… battle?
I waited for a while. About thirty minutes. Thanks to that, the butler-like person here showed me to a sofa and even treated me to tea. The elderly gentleman butler is completely human in appearance, so he must be very skilled. Being human in appearance is… proof of a demi-human’s strength, right?
He told me all about the castle, and I talked about the human continent, we had a fun conversation.
Until the Demon King came back looking haggard, with someone in tow. I don’t know what happened, but hang in there…
“Licht, I’d like to introduce you. My aide…”
“I am Kronqvist, the Demon King’s right hand. It is a pleasure to meet you, Licht.”
“Ah… w-well, it seems that’s how it is.”
I was more shocked than ever when I saw the person the Demon King introduced.
That person, with beautiful, light blue hair neatly tied back, and almond-shaped eyes, introduced herself as the Demon King’s right hand and gave a flawless, courteous greeting.
It felt like an electric current ran through me the moment I saw them. She was so incredibly beautiful that I couldn’t take my eyes off her.
It’s the so-called love at first sight. It really exists, huh. Wow, wow, I can’t take my eyes off you.
“…Licht?”
“Ah, um… it’s nice to meet you, Kronqvist-san!”
“Please, call me Kron. Kronqvist is difficult to say, wouldn’t you agree?”
She even let me call her by her nickname! I’m now incredibly motivated, knowing that Kron-san will be the one teaching me! I have a new goal, to have her notice me, someday, when I’m stronger.
“Hmm, I see… Licht, you must work hard. Kron’s a tough one.”
“Osu!”
“What are you talking about? We should discuss work, instead of wasting time. Especially you, Zahariash-sama, your room will soon be filled with documents.”
“That many!? Not just my desk!?”
Her sternness, that cool gaze… why does a person like this even exist? I can’t stop staring.
Ah, this is no good. I need to get a hold of myself! She’ll hate me if I keep doing this. The Demon King’s also giving me a knowing grin. I’ll definitely have her notice me someday!
“Well then, Zahariash-sama, please go to your office immediately and get some work done. You can go without sleep for a week, right?”
“That’s awful, Kron! Be more considerate of your master!”
“I’ll bring you dinner and tea.”
Kron-san said just that and raised a hand. Then attendants appeared out of nowhere and firmly grabbed the Demon King from both sides, dragging him away. Goodbye, Demon King-sama. Until we meet again!
“Well then, Licht. We’ll start with the basics. We’ll call another specialist after the break, and you’ll train in combat and magic. …You are human, so time is precious. We’ll be going at it hard. Can you keep up?”
Doki, her gaze, as she asked that, sent my heart pounding. A-Alright, I’ll do it!
“I’m looking forward to it!”
And so, my life at Demon Castle began.