It's not the true throne room, which is our usual living space, but a hall in the castle that we rarely use - or rather, use for the first time - that our pets can comfortably enter.

　That's where all the residents of my dungeon had gathered at my command.

"Well, that's why she'll be staying with us for a while to recuperate.

"Well, uh, ......, nice to meet you, guys.

"Not for a wife?

"Good for you, Nellie! Nellie is also a big girl's daughter-in-law!

There, don't talk about speculation.

　It's only a recuperation, recuperation.

　I cleared my throat and then continued.

"Well, gentlemen, from now on, you'll be friends with her as well. Applause.

　The sound of loud applause from all of us following my words makes me slightly embarrassed, "Oh, thank you, guys," and a brave girl standing next to me.

　Whatever, except for you guys in the back, She and the three wraiths, my pets who are dungeon monsters. You don't have to applaud.

　Especially the Red Serpent, the Giant Blood Serpent's Orochi.
　Your wagging tail and pounding on the ground is making the dungeon floor shake like crazy. Stop it.

Well, then, let's see if you're brave enough to join the Demon King's party.

Would you stop talking like that, man, because it's a new misunderstanding?

Then, Mr. Kagami, a brave soul who can get along with the Demon King's group, what do you have to say for yourself? If you have any aspirations, please say something.

"Eh, ho, aspirations? Ah ......, well, I've only known you guys for a short time, so I really hope we can get to know each other better. So, its ...... good to see you all again in the future.

"Nice to meet you, little girl Nell!

　Led by Iruna who said so cheerfully, each member of the dungeon said a few words to her.

　Mm-hmm, I'm glad to see that you guys are getting along so well.
　Well, they're more enthusiastic, and I'm the one who was cooked up.

"Okay, introductions over. Okay, next. Is anything different over here while we're gone?

　I answered on behalf of the question, "No, there wasn't anything special about it, except for Nell suddenly appearing in the dungeon.

No, there wasn't anything in particular, except for Nell's sudden appearance in the dungeon. Just once after you left, some demons invaded the outer forest.

"Doesn't the fact that there was a ...... intruder enter into the unusual?

In fact, nothing happened. We told our pets about the intruder, got rid of him, and then another monster ate him up and he died on his own.

　It's ...... sorry for your loss.

　Is it possible that you are working for the demon tribe that you have been associated with recently?
　Did they know it was me in the mask at the fighting tournament?

　...... No, it's right after we left, or maybe the timeline is wrong.
　I'm sure they've worked out that the mask in the capital is me.

　I'm sure you'll be able to find out the identity of the mask in the demon world as well: ...... That's the time.
　I'll start with the first one that comes along and then I'll overrun it.

　...... Ah, shit, the demon tribe is getting on my nerves when I think of them.

　The head of the demon tribe, you d*mn redhead.
　I'm still really disappointed that we didn't get him in there.

　I owe him thanks for trying to use Leffy as a tool, and for trying to kill Nell.

　I'm done.

　I'll kill him myself one of these days. Enjoy your fleeting life, at best.

　...... well, I'll think of a way to do it later.

　--Right now, I've granted Leffi partial permission for the dungeon.

　Specifically, you can check the map of the dungeon area, have a "distant conversation" with your pets, re-lay traps, and view some of the DP catalog.

　Well, it seems that Leffy, who was basically clumsy and didn't seem to understand the menu screen very well when I explained to her how to use it, only used the map and distant talk for the most part.

　I wonder if it's difficult to intuitively understand how to use those menu screens unless you've played the game before.

The rest of the time, I was just bothered by the food. I almost cried when Nell came in and we ate the best food we had in a while.

...... So, I'm going to ask Nell to come with me and Leila and help me prepare a meal.

"Yeah, I'll do my best!

　Squeezing your hands together to show your motivation.
　I was thinking, this guy's movements are so cute and mocking. I'm sure it's unconscious, especially when it's done unintentionally.

　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make the most out of your time in the future and get some help with the housework.

And also, master. The meal reminded me, you don't have to cook tonight. Until then, you can rest or do something.

"Huh? Are you sure?

"Mm. Go somewhere other than your usual living room and wait for dinner. Don't come over here. Nell is with Yuki. That's right ...... you two can talk about your love life where no one is watching.

"............

"............

　Hearing Reffi's words, cheeks are red, and she glances up at me.

　...... Please don't look at me like that.

　It's a good idea to have a good time with your friends.

...... Gohon, well, okay, okay. We'll be at the inn. What about the girls?

Never mind about these girls. You just be good to your brave little friend.



...... oh, oh, okay.

　Then I just nodded my head, wondering if I was going to do anything.


　　　* * * *.


　--The usual inn, tucked away behind the castle.

　I've been in one of the tatami rooms that I've passed through several times, the brave girl and I were sitting on two cushions laid out side by side, facing the simple garden.

I'm not sure what they're doing at ......, but I wonder what those ...... guys are doing.

...... uh-huh. Yeah, yeah. I'm a little curious.

"............

"............

　The silence that envelops the place.

　There's something about ...... a very, very embarrassing silence.

　...... This is the thing.
　It's a good thing that you're not going to be able to get away with it.

　I'm sure you'll be happy to know that he is ...... my wife, but he's just going through the motions.

　It's a situation that might be the envy of many men, but it's also a bit lonely.

Hey, man.

　And, again, she's feeling a little embarrassed, too, looking up at you with a slight bashfulness.

"Oh, oh, what,

Well, ...... what did you end up doing in the magical world? I heard that you were in a fighting competition: ......

"Ah, well, that's it. Other than that, I just toured the Royal Capital of the Demon World and had a few mock battles with the Demon King's men at the training camp. ...... That's right, your old swordsman. That old man was too strong! There was a significant status difference and it took us a long time to beat him at the tournament. I got a lot of attacks.

...... What, Onii-san, you fought Remiro-san? I mean, did you win?

"We didn't match at the fighting tournament. That was a horrible old man.

　In the end, it didn't cost me much HP, but it was a mind-blowing move.

　It was a match in which I felt the word proficient in every single move.
　I think that match was very instructive for me.

...... He's one of the strongest people in the human world, but ...... I heard he also killed a catastrophic monster when he was young.

　Nellie looks at me from next to her, somewhat dumbfounded.

　The catastrophe class is the ...... thing.
　They are divided into seven levels: harmless, harmful, human, war, disaster, catastrophe and disaster class.

　The catastrophe class is the second category from the top, and considering that Leffi is classified as a non-magical creature but the highest disaster class, the strength of the catastrophe class is also understandable.

　It's a good thing that you're able to get the best out of them. By the way, there is.

I killed what seems to be the strongest dragon in the world. I'd like to be at least the strongest human in the world.

　Well, at that time, the dungeon had a lot to do with it.

　I mean, it was mostly the dungeon.
　I was just skinny dipping in the d*mn pain.

　Indeed, there are too many strong creatures in this world.
　It's a good thing I was able to reincarnate as the Demon King, a pretty good vessel.

　...... Right. I've been overconfident in the physical abilities of the demon king lately.
　If you don't remind yourself of the prudence you had when you were a little more cautious of everything around you, you'll end up playing the second fiddle to the haughty king by accident.

　Pride, no, never.

　...... Hmmm. Well, then, that's the policy.
　For life, please.

　Let's reflect on the past and work with that as our motto for a while.

......Really ......, you're a crazy person!

"That's because I'm a demon king. A demon king's way of life is to push the envelope and twist the rules of the road.

"Huh, I've never heard of that before.

Yes, you do. Because that's the way of life I'm practicing for the first time! Hahaha, I'm the one who will usher in the true demon road!

"What's that?

　Nell smiled happily and then smiled with a benevolent, gentle expression.

　--Again, the silence that often envelops the place.

　But ...... this time it's a more comfortable silence than before.

"...... guy.

"Hmm?

"...... No, it's nothing.

What the hell, I'm curious.

No, really, it's nothing.

　Then she rested her head on my shoulder with a smile on her face.

............

　I felt a little bad for Leffy, but I accepted the weight, with its comforting and comforting weight.



　--And we didn't have to do anything, just the two of us.

　Side by side, we spent a lot of time together, taking it easy.