Okay, I'm here!　Now, let's keep gathering more and more material today.
　After preparing for the bell, we came to the entrance of the Devil's Forest.
　The last time I was here, it looked a lot more evil: .......

　I knew I was getting stronger over the years, right?
　I've been so busy with school and territory management these days that I haven't had a chance to really fight ...... I hope my instincts haven't been dulled.

''Is it safe to go out of the country without permission ......?　Wouldn't you normally have to go through a checkpoint?

A checkpoint?　Oh, that's right, yeah. Well, it's a day trip, so it should be okay.　Besides, I don't want my mom to find out .......
　Maybe ...... or maybe you definitely have to enter the Devil's Forest from the proper place, but if you do that ...... you'll get in touch with your mother .

''You're going to hide ...... after all, aren't you?
　That's true. I'm tired of my mom's long hours of preaching, so I don't want her to find out.

All right, we'll make it to the Demon Lord's palace in half a day.

'You fooled me. ...... is a demon king?　What do you mean?

''Oh, by the way, ......, um, it's okay . He's a gentle demon king.
　Would it be a bad idea to spread the word that the Demon King is alive?
　I just feel like I want to live my life in secret, unencumbered, for the rest of my life.
　It would be a disaster if I provoked her, so I think it's best not to tell people.

"What do you mean, being a gentle demon king?

Don't worry about it. Let's go, guys. Come on, follow me!

Oh, don't fool yourself!
　Overhearing Bell's plea, I pulled her hand away and walked into the forest.
　I'm holding her hand so that I can escape in transition soon.
　Well, I'm sure it'll be fine, but I promised Belle that I would.

　Just as I was thinking that, a horde of black ogres surrounded us.
Hey, it's a black ogre. Long time no see.
　I remember the first time I came through here, I was surrounded by these guys.
　I was having a hard time with them.

Leleo-sama. I have a feeling that you're very strong. ...... Are you sure you're okay?
　While squeezing my hand tightly, Belle gave me a worried look.
　From Belle's point of view, there's a four-fold difference in level between her and the Kuro Ogre, so it's no wonder she's scared ...... .

"Don't worry about it. You'll be able to kill this one in an instant.
　I created a lightning spell that instantly killed the black ogres to reassure Belle.

''Oh, it's true. But ...... the demon was more ferocious than I had imagined. Isn't it still dangerous?

It's okay. You didn't have to move a single step to take him down, okay?

Unun......
　Belle wasn't exactly nodding my head in response to my safety appeal.


　Six hours later
Okay, now we won't have to suffer from a shortage of magic stones for a while.
　While talking about this, I looked at the magic stone and precious materials in my bag and naturally smiled.
　It was worth it to run around the forest at full speed.

You're already ...... too fast. If it weren't for this broomstick that Leo gave me, I would have been left behind in a heartbeat.
　I was pleased with the results of my half-day's work when I heard a voice from above complaining.

"That's why I got a broom for you. Didn't you enjoy the ride?
　Belle was riding the flying magic broom I used to find the dragon .
　I didn't think it would be efficient to walk with her, so yesterday I had a plan to get her to follow me on this broom once she understood it was safe to do so.
　It's quite difficult to operate, but Bell got on it quickly and kept up with my speed.

Yes, but ......

Then why not? Come on, I'll go to the Demon King.
　You know, I just thought I'd at least say hello to you if I came all this way.
　She's probably already aware that I'm on my way there and she's waiting for me.
　With that in mind, I walked out into the open area where the demon king was.

Is this ...... the demon king really here?
　Belle gets off her broom and sticks to my back to hide herself from a house.
　Well, I can understand why she's so scared. To Belle, you're the symbol of fear.

"Yeah. I am. Oh, but it's been four years since I last saw her, so I'm not sure she's there.
　I haven't been here since I came here to defeat the dragon: ...... Maybe he got bored with this place and moved away?

No, I'm here.
　Ah, I knew it.

Kyah~!
　I didn't think anything of it because I was expecting it, but Belle was surprised enough to sit up and take notice of the appearance from behind by the Demon King.


　When I turned around, holding the trembling Belle in my arms, the Demon King was standing there looking apologetic .

''You scared the hell out of me, ...... How are you doing?''

Yeah. You look as good as ever at .......
　Well, since I'm a demon race, not much will change in four years or so .

Well, I can't change. You, on the other hand, have changed. Hey, that's not a bad thing. You're maturing well.

That's true. People grow up in four years.

Aye, people really do live a short time. But they can live a very intense life. I envy you.

Do you envy him?
　Do you envy the Demon King who has that much power and can live for many times longer than others?
　Well, I can't really say that to the Demon King who has a sad look in his eyes .

Yes, I've lived for nearly a thousand years. I've lived, but most of those thousand years have been spent doing nothing ...... but passing the time.

A thousand years?　Are you really that alive?
　Can a demon race live that long?　Because he's a powerful demon?　Or is it because he's a demon king?

Hmm?　Didn't I tell you this before?　As I recall, that's when I showed you where the dragons were.

'Did I tell you that?　Yeah, ...... I was so impressed with the dragon that I don't remember it.

Okay. In case you forgot, I'll explain it to you. I couldn't tell you the details of what I was doing then, anyway.

Hmm. So you're telling me now?
　It's only been four years since then, okay?
　Well, four years is a lot for a person's children.

Simply put, yes. Now is the time to teach them.

The time?
　Is there ever a good time to learn about the Demon King?

I'll tell you all about it in the house. Come on. Oh, and you can bring your Beast King's daughter with you.
　Are you sure you're okay with me letting Bell hear this?　I looked at him as if to say, "I'm sorry," and the Demon King gave me the OK.
　I'm glad I couldn't leave Belle here, who looks like she can't even stand up yet ......, didn't I just say something outrageous?

Juju, the Beast King?
　Didn't you just say you're the daughter of the Beast King?

What?　Hadn't you noticed?　Only beast royalty can use beast magic, remember?　Oh, come to think of it, it's no wonder you don't know . The Beast King's Daughter: ......

It's a bell.
　I looked at Belle, and she seemed to be having trouble figuring out what to call me, so I told her my name .

'I see . Belle, you are the last survivor of the Beastmen Royal Family.

'What?　What do you mean?
　How did beastly royalty end up in an orphanage?　And what does it mean to be the last survivor?

Simple. Belle is the only daughter of the last Beastmen king who managed to keep her alive. Before he died, the Beast King left his child in the care of an old friend, fighting and dying to protect his country from a powerful enemy.
　An old friend is ...... the grandmother in the orphanage where Belle grew up?
　Holy shit. Who was that old lady, Friend of the Beast King?　Seriously, I think I need to make time to go see him next time.

　I mean, more importantly.
That powerful enemy is ......?
　Who killed the Beast King?

That sounds like what I was going to tell you, so I'll tell you when we get inside.
　With that, the demon king walked into his house.

''I'm here today to collect materials. ......
　I didn't expect this to happen, but I had no choice but to follow the demon king into the house.