89 - an increasing round table








 The hermit house stands by the lake. Nearby is a large covered resting area with a large round table in the center.



 Around the round table are Charlotte and three other existing members. A new "knight" joined them.



"And so, I have officially invited Professor Tierrietta Leseyernel as the new knight of Camelot!



"Hey, hey, hi. My name is Tia. It's a long name. It's nice to meet you.



 The existing members opened their mouths with applause as the small frame stood up.



Frey said, "I have some concerns, but if Charlotte recommends me, I must accept.

Riza said, "If Charlotte-sama approves, I have no choice.

Johnny says, "We've never met before, so I'll refrain from commenting.



"I'm not welcome at all!



 Tiarerietta is stunned to hear a loud voice from outside the rest area saying, "Nice to meet you.

 She looked and saw a huge stone man sitting on the ground. It was Gigan. On top of his head was Mercumenes, a child of a former demoness named Meru, bouncing around.



"I've heard about this, but it's really a summoner talking, isn't it? No, the voice is probably due to Hurt's magic, but I'm surprised that a summoned beast has such high intelligence to be able to communicate linguistically in the first place. I'm not a specialist, but it's very interesting!"



"Ha-ha-ha, you are as curious as your reputation. Your eyes are shining as if you are about to dissect us. Please don't do that.



 Tiareetta leans forward, and Johnny bends over and clacks his teeth. Johnny is about to change the subject.



You are not the only new knight, you know. Go on, Charlotte," he says.



Yes, it was. Now, are you ready to say hello?"



 Sitting next to Tiahrietta, to whom I smile, is Irisphilia, who is in a state of utter confusion.

 She was doing some research in the research building when she was taken out by Charlotte without any explanation.



(This is not a good trend ......)



 She's a former demon king.

 She was reborn as a human through the secret of reincarnation, but she keeps it a secret.

 She is determined to dispel her feelings of hatred toward demons from the human side. She struggles on her own, not telling people or even her former compatriots about her reasons.



 But in front of her is an old acquaintance, the demon Frey. If she introduced herself and told them her name, there was a risk that they would recognize her, even if she was not a person of good intuition.



(Since she was already known by an abbreviation, she could push her way through with it, even if it was a bit of a stretch (......)).



 But I was thinking about it.



"You know Frey and Riza. Irisphilia, your brother's friend from school!"



"""!?""""



 Not only Irisphilia, but also Frey and Riza, who had heard the name before, were surprised.



(The same name as the Demon King? Speaking of which, this woman's magic power has a non-human presence. ......)

(The same name as the Demon King? It is true that this person's magic power is different from that of a human being. ......)



 Irisphilia stands up, staring at me, uncomfortable.



"Let's see ......, that ......."



 The two high ranking demons must have sensed that the quality of our magical power is different from that of humans.

 Irisphilia was ready to tell the whole truth, but...



"Frey and Riza, is something wrong?



 When Charlotte asked with a puzzled look on her face, Frey's grim expression relaxed.



"No, I beg your pardon. I was surprised to see the same name as an old friend of mine.



"Are you a friend of the old familiar ...... demon tribe?"



"Mm. Coincidences happen. But, well, he's already dead. And ......."



 Riza nodded her head in agreement.



"Oh, a meaningful laugh. What is it? Is it another Demon Tribe Secret? Please tell me!"



"Yes, I'm interested too. Are you saying that Iris is the reincarnation of the dead demon tribe?



 Irisphilia's shoulders jump.



"But, do you think it is possible for demons to be reborn as people?"



"Well, it's possible, but not likely. Only a demon king among the demon tribe would be able to use such an advanced magic as the secret art of reincarnation.



 Irisphilia freaks out again.



"Oh? You are indeed a researcher recognized by Master Harte. He's got a good point."



 I can't stop sweating.



 Frey folds his arms, thinks for a moment, and then his eyes widen.



"It's about time," he said, "before the newcomers. Actually, Irisphilia is the name of a former demon king who died and was reincarnated as--"



 As they all gulped (and Johnny gritted his teeth), Frey announced in a loud voice: "We're going to be here for a long time.



"It's Mr. Hurt!"



"What?

What?



 Charlotte and Tiareetta on the other side exclaim in surprise.



(What about ............?)






 Irisphilia, on the other hand, had question marks dancing around in her head.



"My brother! The reincarnation of the Demon Lord? Hiding your true identity and throwing yourself into the arms of hostile forces to execute justice and set the world right, you are indeed my elder brother!"



"Mm. The Demon King once tried to create a paradise for the demon tribe. But Hurt-sama has sublimated that and is aiming for a world where man and demon live hand in hand. For that purpose, he is trying to change people's consciousness from the human side.





 Frey stresses. Charlotte's eyes sparkle and she leaps to her feet. Riza and Johnny nod their heads, and Gigan and Mel are asleep.



(I'm not wrong ......, but I'm not ......)



 We've gone way off on a fundamental tangent," Irisphilia shrugged.



(But I see. (But I see... Hurt had the same idea as me...)



 He is happy to see me, but of course he has no intention to do so. It is Frey's fantasy.



(That Harte? Such an auspicious thing?)



 Only Tiareetta saw reality, but she was amused and said nothing.



 And then a new fact (?) Charlotte's delusion is not stopped by the revelation of



"We've already entered the route of the High King, haven't we? I can't stay like this. I was going to only introduce the new members today, but we have to make our next move as soon as possible.



 Charlotte raises a small fist.



"First, let's get in touch with the student council that controls the academy and find out what they are all about. Then we'll get close to the big dark organization that controls them!



 Oh! The demon tribe responded enthusiastically.



"What are you talking about all of a sudden?



 Tiareetta and Irisphilia were puzzled.