The Demon King speaks in a tone of voice that suits his eerie, dignified physiognomy and says something that doesn't fit.
　"The 'welcome home' part stuck in vain.

　Toa slowly walked into the study and walked over to his father in front of him.
　Unlike Electra's, he didn't feel hesitant, but he didn't feel his feet move unexpectedly either.
　And Toa and his father, the Demon King, embraced each other as if celebrating their reunion just as before.

　It's the Demon King, but he looks a lot younger than I imagined he would be.
　But the inhabitants of this world are not at all helpful in their appearance.
　It's the Demon King, even if I say so. Probably this person must be quite old as well.......but he looks like he's in his mid-thirties.
　But the reason you don't feel that way is probably because of this strange penetration and atmosphere.
　If you call this charisma, it's understandable.

　Then, as if the reunion was over, the demon king turned around and looked towards us.
　Just by meeting our eyes, I got a chill, and I could tell that he was clearly different from Cassandra.
　The chill doesn't mean I'm scared of anything, nor is it a sign of strength.

　Humans often use the term "strange" in a derogatory way, but this person is "strange".
　But he's not a human being, and of course I don't despise him.

Then, everyone, take your time," Elektra's voice is heard behind her, and the door of the room is closed, leaving Lisa and us in front of the door.

　And until the sound of the door closing died out and it was completely inaudible, Lucius-san kept staring at me unintelligibly and silence passed.

'Are you Nito-san?'

　It wasn't a question, but sounded as if he already knew it in terms of nuance.
　It's a nuance close to 《conviction》.

''Yes, my name is Nito.''

And that's Mr. Nem and Ms. Sufilia, isn't it?

　At this point I wondered how this person knew Nem and Sufilia's names.
　I had forbidden Francesca from posting all photos, names, and all information that would indicate that it was him, including Sierra, except for me.
　So there's no way this person, who has never met you before, can guess the names of the two people here.
　But I soon found out the answer to that question later.

''It's nice to meet you, Lucius, Toa's father. "I'm Lucius, Toa's father.

　His expression doesn't match his tone.
　But it's a polite tone. And his voice shouldn't be so loud, but it feels like it resonates with your body.
　There is a definite pressure and emotion there, despite the tone of his voice, which seems to be devoid of emotion.
　It's clearly not a human being, but a different creature, and I've been aware of it for some time now.

　But its eyes, which seem to catch and observe me, still seem to be devoid of emotion.

I'm not sure if it's called "Hidaka...Masamune"? It's a name that doesn't seem out of place in Gagikoku, but...

The first time I saw him...

　--Why?

　"How did you know?" -- a vague question, and I found myself staring at Lucius-san with my eyes wide open.

"That's why you're calling yourself 'Nito', a pseudonym, isn't it?　I see......... Is Masamune-san..................an otherworlder?

　At that time, Nem Nem took out a magic tool from his trouser pocket - a golden rod for the demon.
　It's the one I reversed and gave him a rare grade sword before, and it's large enough to fit in the palm of my hand.
　But as soon as you take it out and Nemesis becomes aware of it, it transforms into an even bigger metal rod that exceeds Nem's height.

　It's a good idea to have the jet-black rod pointed at Lucius, but just before his eyes met mine, he noticed my gaze, or perhaps he just held it in his hand and stopped moving.
　However, the caution is directed at Lucius-san.
　On the other hand, Sufilia is the same. Although she hasn't taken out the 《Saint's Wrath》, she is still in a state of alert.

　Lucius-san, while holding me in her field of vision, slowly caught the two of us with her gaze, and when she returned her gaze to me again, she smiled lightly.

''There's no need to be afraid. It's just a matter of [skill]. It's the same as Masamune's. No harm done.

　I was satisfied with those words.
　I, and Toa, have the same ability - the Skill 《Magic Eye of Truth》.
　I was surprised by the fact that I had somehow figured it out, but I soon regained my normalcy.

''Both of you are fine. And Lucius-san is Toa's father, you know?　Isn't it rude to be alarmed?

...and I'm sorry.

"Yes, sir....

　"Unintentionally", right?　It was probably a spur of the moment act of unconsciousness. When I called out to them, they returned to their senses as calmly as if they had come to themselves.

　But how did they know I was an otherworlder?
　No, it may be premature to say that we know.
　Lucius asked, not definitively.

'Toa, I'd like to have a word with Masamune for a moment.

　Then what did you think, Lucius-san suddenly said something like that.

''Eh?

　The Toa's reaction was delayed for a moment, then he didn't even try to ask why, he just replied.
　Although there was a pause, I don't think there was any hesitation there.

　Toa is not wary of Lucius-san.
　That's natural since he's her father, right?　What am I thinking?
　
　Just because they are Toa's parents, I was in a hurry to understand the other party.
　Just because it's 《meet my parents》 doesn't mean there's any exaggerated meaning there. But I was thinking somewhat on top of each other, and I was in a hurry to do well.
　The result of that was "vigilance". Even though I knew it was worthy of rudeness........
　Isn't it going to be convenient........

　But I'm not stupid or sycophantic enough to trust someone when I first meet them. It should be.
　But I'm not worried about anything.
　I wasn't worried, despite the fact that I was oddly wary that the other person was a demon king and obviously different from Cassandra, and despite the tone of voice and the enigmatic nature of those things, I wasn't worried.

'Nito, I'll go to my room--'

You will call me by my name.

　At that point, Toa said something to me, but Mr. Lucius interrupted him.

'Toa, and then you all should call him by his name. Mr. Masamune?　So you won't call yourself Nito while you're in demonland?　And I don't like pseudonyms. I'd rather not do anything to begin with than hide myself. That would be wise.

　I don't know what that means.
　I don't know what this person knows about me and says that, but even if they knew, it would be just like what is written in the demonic communication, which is only the extent of what the media.......Francesca wrote.

　But it's been like this for a while now for me.
　Whenever this person says something to me, I feel something before logic and I'm convinced.

　It's not that I'm being brainwashed in any way, for example, or that I'm being brainwashed in any way.
　It's just that each word has some meaning, and I understand that before I can think about it in my head.

I understand. Masamune, we'll be in our room, I'll see you later, okay?

Yeah, I'll be right there.

　Toa and Lisa left the study with Nem and Sufilia.
　And I was left behind with Lucius-san.

　The sound of the door closing finishes echoing through the study, and after a moment, Lucius-san sits down on the sofa and says, "Why don't you sit down, Masamune? He suddenly changed his tone and urged me to become familiar with him.

　I sat down on the seat opposite as I was told.
　But even as I made eye contact with him, Lucius-san's expression remained the same as before, and his emotions were calm.
　Or rather, it's so calm that it can even be taken as friendly.
　Is this the manners of the demon race style or something else?
　But leaving my doubts behind, in this strange atmosphere, Mr. Lucius began to speak.

'When I heard of Cassandra's death, I knew it was caused by a human being, and for the first time in my life I was interested in people.

　Hmm? ...Is this your first time of interest?
　As I recall, Lucius-san is not a man of his own race... what does that mean?
　This person's emotions are hard to read, perhaps because they don't show much movement.
　But from the side of such, Lucius-san is selfishly convinced, even though I haven't told her anything.

I see........I should tell you that's a misunderstanding, shouldn't I?　It's not that I don't care about my race. I'm just not interested.

Are you interested in...?　More importantly....

　It's an unnatural conversation, or can we call it a conversation?

　First of all, I didn't say anything.
　And about the "conversation", sometimes there are people who speak by anticipating what the other person is thinking.
　There are people like that. It may be possible for smart people with excellent communication skills.
　But this........I don't think this is the same kind of thing.
　It's something else.

I don't have to explain (,,,,,,,)?　I'm assuming that this is a feeling that Masamne-kun knows too... or is it not?

　Guess?　It's not on that level.
　Rather than reading ahead, this guy is clearly reading my mind.

　"He said, 'It's not that you don't care,' and I immediately asked, 'How did you know? I didn't say it aloud, but let the question float around in my mind.
　In contrast, Lucius-san, as if he read my doubts, added that it was only a "guess", but said, "There's no need to explain, right?" I asked, and said this is a feeling I know, too.

　........I'm a coward. Of course, I already have an answer that's up to my throat.
　But always before I say it out loud, I question my own mind, wondering if the words, the idea, are right.

'Can you read people's minds?'

　Hesitation ran through me, and by the time I asked that, I had begun to let go of my hesitation.
　Lucius-san's penetrating tone. This can't be anything other than being able to read the other person's mind.

''Huh, it's not.''

　Lucius denies my words with a smile.

'I'm reading your emotions. Just like you, Masamune, right?　This ability is rare indeed. Even if you look all over the continent, only demons have this ability. But it took me a moment to see your crazy emotions in action. "So you have the same thing I do?"

But I don't think I can do that.

You'll get used to it. But that's not the right word. You need to understand exactly what it is you are capable of. Masamune-kun it's not a person, it's an existence, right?"

Existence?

　That's what Zephyr had said. And Vel said that too.
　And Khalifa said that.
　He said that life is composed of existence and life information called Cocoon.

What we feel is the feeling of existence. It is not limited to human beings. The meaning of existence is different from that of a person. Existence is the source. And emotions are inseparable from feelings...

Existence...

'Gradually the pattern becomes clearer. Why does the other person have those emotions at the same time as those words?　And why does the one being questioned have these feelings?　You'll get used to it in time.

　Lucius-san repeats the same thing again and says.
　But, in other words, you'll get used to it.
　That's what you want to say.

''But this is an ability that should only be inherited by the demon race, and even more so by the direct lineage of the founder of the demon race, Rosev-sama. I'm sure you'll be able to find out what's going on in the world. Although there are occasional exceptions, if humans possess this ability........

　Then Mr. Lucius looked into my eyes as if he were searching for me.
　Then he smiled thinly, incomprehensibly.
　Probably he grasped something. When I read Lucius-san's emotions, I understood it.

''That can only be <>.

　.........Quite the Toa's father. No, I can't sort it out in such a lax way of understanding it.

　First of all, this person knows about the abyss.
　He understands it to the point where he can look into my status and say it with a little bit of reading of my emotions.
　He knows what I don't know.

"They can read and understand life's emotions. Those who have been discovered begin to believe in fools as if by magic, and are fascinated and then taken in by their bloated existence, or so it is described. If you're one of those, then no wonder.

　--seen through.
　Not even Emperor Ulanos. This is the Demon King........

　But our understanding of the abyss seems to be the same as that of humans.
　As candidates for the throne, we (...) don't call ourselves abyssal fools. Only the heir to Adams' will would use that expression.
　Or only the ignorant of some kind.
　He hasn't been touched by the Abyss. I know it.

"Hmm?　What is it?　What did I do wrong?　The one I read out was from the ancient history left by Master Rosef, the founder of the demon race...

　But he's still a horrible person.
　I can't settle my mind easily.

''No matter what, do you understand?　The Toa will notice you eventually, won't they?

　But here I was, caught up in a conversation that had seemed to be going smoothly, even if somehow, and I stopped thinking.

'Notice?　What do you mean by that?

Didn't I ask for an explanation?　Masamune, you'll realize the meaning of my words, even if you're a beat behind. Aside from the fact that you're going to be exposed, right?

It's not hard to understand, but it's far from being "understandable. But that's far from the word "understand". I'm sure you'll be able to get used to it, but I don't think it's possible to see that much, either. To be honest, I don't know what Lucius-san is trying to say. First of all, what do you mean by "noticing"?　I don't understand that. What do you think Toa would notice about me?

''Well let's just say I don't need to know now.

　So, this is the Demon King. It's troublesome.

　Probably this emotion is also read by you.
　It's not that I'm being arrogant, but even so, reading my emotions.........................that's impressive.

　Or is it that the concept of level does not interfere with this ability?
　As for this ability, it doesn't even show up in the stats.
　I once thought of it as a skill rather than magic, since it didn't consume magic, but I didn't think that was the case as long as it didn't show up in the skill column.

But "she" is already aware of it, right?

'She?　Who are you talking about?

　No he's not going to answer.
　He's going to say 'no need to explain', which is what he's going to say.

"You know the answer. "You know that, and that's why you came to see me, right?　To her ... to know about the Toa.

..........

　Somehow. Somehow I know what he's going to say.
　I know what he's going to say.

"I know what he's going to say. You're my daughter, right?　I don't need to read your emotions. The Toa trusts you. Or more. .... and you also trust Toa. Equally as much or more.

..........

I don't mean to interfere. It was Tor's choice. But love and imposition are not the same thing, are they?　There is no progress beyond dependence.

..........

'But or maybe it would be better, wouldn't it?　For Masamune-kun ... it's harder for Toa to notice. But ... if she and Toa became one, and Toa found out about that darkness you're carrying, would Toa be in front of you now?

I don't know what you mean.

Speculation is important, okay?　First, you have to think. But let me answer one of the questions you're asking yourself most right now.

　Mr. Lucius moved his eyes from staring at the tabletop in front of him to me.

'I still don't trust you,'

Yes.

　I was deeply convinced by those words.
　Lucius-san had a thin smile on his face at that answer.

''See?　You're getting used to another one, right?　Now you've figured out the extent of my understanding to some extent. That's how this ability becomes more and more familiar the more you use it. But unlike the Abyss, it does no harm.

　You sound as if there is harm in the abyss.

'From my point of view, you are a fool. There's nothing to think about at the moment other than stupidity. The darker side of your mind, the less likely I am to be able to read it. But it's foolish. Perhaps your powers do conquer me, don't they?　But you're only human for all intents and purposes. Human emotion and human thought. And then there's the human act and the result. Do you understand?

　As if folding from the side of organizing my thoughts, Lucius-san calls me stupid.
　But slowly, I'm beginning to understand those words again.

'That's why I'm not interested. Except for the demon race, you know?　I try not to be particularly interested in humans. I don't even need to have a conversation with them. It's just not right to engage with people. So why don't we engage with them?　I'll put it plain and simple. The reason for this is stress. You have no control over your emotions. Even if demons and dragons are the most powerful species, the quality of their magical power and their lifespan are limited. The essence of life, the essence of existence, is emotion. Humans are not interested in learning "it". That's why I'm not interested in humans. I don't trust you.

Huh....

　I couldn't help but laugh.
　There's no emotion in this man's voice. But I don't feel any coldness in his voice.
　He must mean it, not a millimeter differently. That's why I don't hesitate.

'You know what I mean?　And I'm sure you know what I'm talking about, for goodness sake.

　Then Mr. Lucius gets up from his seat.

'I must tell you, I don't know who you are. I only know your status at least as far as your name, and I didn't know much more than the information about adventurer Nito that was circulating in the world until I met you in person today. Even now that I'm face to face with him, I only have a vague idea of what he looks like. But ... the same as you are now, right?　Somehow (...) I know what it is. I know what you are, don't I?

　Then Mr. Lucius went to the door and put his hand on the doorknob.

'But Toa likes you. That being the case, I can't say I'm not interested in you either. Reluctantly I can't blame you for this either.

　Then he turned back to me.

'End of story. We can talk about the abyss some other time. As for your relationship with Toa, I'll have to wait and see.

　I got up from my seat and stepped to the door to leave the room.
　If I asked her anything more, she wouldn't tell me anything.
　I could see that somehow (,,,,) but I knew that.

　But Mr. Lucius.

I need you to protect Toa.

　He said this without making eye contact at the door.

'You don't trust me, do you?

I don't trust you. But ... you're already a necessary part of that boy's life.

Existence?　Which one does it mean?

Both.

　I was kicked out of the room, and the door was closed.

　I was stirred up, and nothing was gained as a result.
　Long, preachy words.
　I don't trust you, but I want you to protect the Toa. In the end, we'll see what happens....

　Sighing deeply in front of the door, I don't even take a deep breath before walking off to the end of the hallway.

　After all, Lucius-san doesn't know me.
　It's just that.

''Huh.......I'll protect you without being told.

　It's not going to happen. I will protect you.

I will do whatever it takes.

　Even if it's stupid (...).



o.



　--The Demon King's study.
　Lucius stood by the window and looked out as he had before Masamune and the others visited.

　What he could see from there was outside the walls of the Demon King's castle - a lake in that forest.
　--the Lake of Origin.
　Beyond that, the town of the demon race that Masamune and the others visited before coming here can also be seen, albeit faintly.
　Lucius often watches them from here like this.

　But there is no movement in his eyes, and it is impossible to tell what he is thinking.
　As Masamune felt, his emotions were neither cold nor emotionless.
　But of course there would be emotion.
　That's why he keeps looking at that lake. To remember that regret.

　-- At that time, Lucius' expression suddenly changed.
　The expression when you remember and realize something is the same whether you are a human or a demon race.
　There was a definite surprise and confusion in that expression.

''.........Masamune, you say?''

　And unexpectedly, Lucius muttered.
　His expression showed an uncharacteristic wavering in his expression, and he was clearly confused.
　His eyes widened and he looked around at the floor and ceiling for no reason - upset.
　Lucius was intensely upset now.

'No way ... no, it can't be ...'

　What does he remember and what surprises him?　But that is something only Lucius can understand.

　Lucius immediately closed his mouth and suppressed the words from escaping so as not to confuse himself.
　But the eyes are still wavering.

　And looking through the window, which seemed to be nothing more than an escape route for regret, I was puzzled by the memories I happened to recall.

''It can't be........what the hell are you........''