I was only vaguely aware that she must be a being with great power~.
　But it's true that the expression you sometimes show as if you know everything, the fact that high-ranking demons like Mr. Ein and Ms. Zechs have sworn absolute loyalty, and the fact that you can ask the goddess for her blessing directly, etc., if you ask me, I think it's understandable--but still, I didn't expect it. I didn't think Black was the Dark Lord.
　I mean, even if it was, is it okay for one of the pinnacle of the demon world to be wandering around like that?

I'm sorry. I need to split up.
....

　I cut off my still half-believing thoughts appropriately and bow to the woman walking next to me.
　The woman, with her red hair cut short, wearing easy-to-move trousers and a sleeveless jacket, and a black scarf wrapped around her neck, shakes her head silently at my apology.
　Her name is 'Sieglinde' and she is someone who serves Lilia-san, and she is currently accompanying me as my guide and escort as I come to shop.
　She is a dignified woman of the elven tribe with distinctive long ears, and coupled with her slender and beautiful appearance, she is a dignified person who seems to fit the term "beautiful woman in men's clothing" perfectly.
　The image of an elf was one of blonde hair, but in a world where there are many mixed-race races, it is said that the elves also have a variety of hair colors.

　Currently, Lilia-san's mansion is in a horrific state that can already be called a battlefield.
　A fanatic (Lunamaria-san) who has resurrected from a state of abandonment has taken the lead, and the cleanup has begun without leaving a speck of dust, and Lilia-san is constantly giving orders to various people to prepare for her guests.
　The current Duke Albert's house is a mess, and frankly speaking, me, Kusunoki-san and Yuzuki-san are nothing more than a hindrance.

　Of course, gentle Lilia-san would never talk about such things, but it's not possible for her to relax while everyone, including her servants, is busy running around, but that doesn't mean there's nothing we can do to help.
　So we decided to go shopping so as not to get in the way, and after consulting with Lilia-san, she might be a bit of a worrier, so each of the three of us was assigned an escort.

　It's a good thing that we're not the only ones who have been on the road for a while.

There are a lot of food-related shops around here, aren't there?
....

　Sieglinde-san nods in affirmation to my words as I mutter while looking at the surrounding shops.
　By the way, Sieglinde's lack of speech since a while ago is not because she dislikes me, but because she does not speak. It's not that she doesn't speak, it's that she can't speak.
　It seems that she used to be a member of a knight's club, but during the battle with the demons, she received a large wound in her throat and was unable to speak. I heard that there is still a large scar underneath his black scarf.
　It seems that not being able to speak is not suitable as a guide and escort, but Sieglinde-san's ability seems to be the best among Lilia-san's private army, and since she is a former member of the Order, she is used to being a guard.

　And the most gratifying thing is that he doesn't have any feelings of disgust towards me, a man. With Lilia-san's advice, my position in the mansion is stable, but there are still a certain number of people who look at me in a strange way.
　Well, to put it bluntly, my position is like a male student blending into an all-girls high school, so if I say it can't be helped, it can't be helped. Lilia-san also understands this area, so she is paying attention to the selection of people like Sieglinde-san did this time.

''It seems like there are a lot of food shops around here.
....
I'd like to buy some sweets for snacking, do you have any good places to eat them?
....
Is that the third store?
....
'Oh, before that!　Thank you.
....

　Lilia apologized to me beforehand that it might be difficult for someone who can't speak to be a guide, but for me, it's no problem at all.
　She nodded and made gestures, so to be frank, it was much easier to understand than White's.
　Well, he's fun to talk to once you get the hang of it, but the level of difficulty to get there is high.
　In comparison, Sieglinde's emotions are easy to read from her facial expressions and gestures, so she is easy to communicate with.

'There's a lot going on. Do you have any recommendations, Sieglinde-san?
....
Jam?　There are many different kinds, but are they local products from around here?
....
I see. There are some colors I've never seen before. It would be nice to buy them with scones or something.
....
Yeah?　Oh, jam cookies!　This certainly looks good.
....

　Sieglinde led me to a pastry shop to find some food for snacking. Thank goodness we have a nice item called a magic box so we don't have to think about the expiration date.
　Speaking of which, Kuro once brought me a baby sponge cake with jam in it! The jam was good, and a jam cookie would go well with the tea White gave me, so it might be just right.
　Black said he likes sweets too, so I'll buy some more to share with him next time.

　As I was asking Sieglinde about it, I was choosing and buying some jam cookies, and I suddenly remembered Black's words.
　Come to think of it, Black said he had something to do today, but what is he doing?　Well, maybe he's busy with various things when it comes to the Dark Lord, but from what I've seen so far, he seems to be doing whatever he wants....

　Dear Mom, Dad--The Underworld King is coming, a big deal, and Lilia-san and the others are in a big hurry, but me, the party involved--I was sightseeing for some reason.

























　A high-ranking demon clan of the baronial level--that's the proof of an existence that is recognized as having a certain level of power. In the world of meritocracy, where having a high level of ability is directly linked to gaining a great position, it can be said to be a great asset to have that name.
　And the part of such a high-ranking demon tribe, one part of the demon tribe that obtained the title of viscount level, is now - in despair.

　The subordinate demons that existed in full view until just a few moments ago have fallen to the ground like corpses, and the sound has disappeared from their surroundings like the wind has stopped.
　It was just a momentary event. The castle decorated with glittering ornaments, the numerous treasures they had stored, their authority and dignity as a high-ranking demon tribe - all disappeared in the blink of an eye.
　How could this happen?　The questions that float around in my mind never leave my trembling mouth.

　It's not just that he couldn't speak. They are not allowed to shake their bodies in fear, let go of their consciousness in despair, or even look away - they are not allowed to look away.
　Because those things are not allowed by the ruler of this space........

I mean, it's always been there, hasn't it?

　A voice like a bell echoes in the quiet space. In the end of the demon race's gaze, dominated by despair, golden eyes shimmering in the darkness.

'The recognition inhibition magic that was on Kite-kun. From the feeling of the magic, I knew that the demon race was probably involved~, but I didn't know who it was until I got to who it was.

　The impetus for this was just a trivial desire.
　It wasn't that the demon tribe wanted to stand at the top of the demon world or anything of that magnitude.
　It's just that they wanted to reach a slightly higher position than they have now. I want to gain greater wealth and power than I have now. In order to do that, I wanted to obtain a skill that this world didn't have... just that level of small ambition brought ruin to that demon race.

"A high-ranking demon from the demon world messes with people from the human world and other worlds. This is quite a troublesome problem, isn't it?　That's why I wanted to get this resolved as soon as possible, but thanks to you, Kite, I'm glad I was able to find it so quickly.

　In the demon world, there are beings that cannot be opposed, even by high-ranking demons of the baronial class. An existence with an overwhelmingly incomparable power to the extent that to defy them would lead to their downfall

'He doesn't usually cooperate with me in this kind of thing, but I guess it's because he was interested in you, Kite. This time he was willing to cooperate with me which is a pity for you. Since you had Shiro's 'eyes' looking for me, there's no room for deception.

　Step by step, the golden eyes come closer, clothed in magic power that seems to swallow up the space.
　Slowly, to give the demon tribe, who cannot escape, time to regret their actions, the dark lord walks too slowly and stands in front of the demon tribe.

''.........Well, what do we do if we do something bad?
... uhhhh... more...
Yeah?
"...I'm...sorry...

　The hint of death is too dense. Fear to the extent that even the word "despair" is lukewarm.
　After disobeying the top existence of the demon world, the demon tribe will no longer be given the freedom to die. I'm going to be able to say that I'm not going to be able to get the best out of it.

I'm sorry. Then I'll forgive you this time.
...Yes....what?

　And after receiving the words that were continued - the demon tribe looked up with a dumbfounded voice.
　To put it bluntly, the meaning of the words was not immediately understood. It's a good thing that you're able to have a good time with them.
　It's an act that is a crack in the friendly relationship between the demon world and the human world, so to speak, and I thought it was impossible to get forgiveness....

In the meantime, this time, even though it was an accident, I was just casting a recognition blocking spell because I was passing by, and it didn't cause any real harm.
Okay, yes.

　Yes, in a sense, the demon race was both unlucky and lucky.
　It was unfortunate that they violated the prohibition out of lust, and that the Sixth King found out about it... but it was unfortunate that the other party was the Underworlder, who was said to be the most benevolent of the Sixth King, and that they tried to manipulate the Otherworlder to gain that knowledge, but in the end the plan ended up being an attempt. It was fortunate.
　However, it was only 'this time'........

You can't bother me or do anything bad, okay?　There's no 'next time'...
Huh?

　Yes, this case was forgiven. But there will be no next time... even a baby can understand the meaning of being told these words directly by the Sixth King, if you are a demon tribe.
　From now on, this demon tribe will have to live honestly and innocently while bearing the fear that the Sixth King has caught their attention. Even the smallest of misdeeds will not be tolerated again.
　In a way, this might be the punishment given to this demon tribe. For the demon tribe's incomparably longer life span than that of humans, the day when they are freed from this fear is far away...

Well, and, well, so... you do have human nobles and collaborators, don't you?
Huh?
Of course ... you'll tell me, won't you?
Well, yes. All in all, as you wish.

　There was no longer even the will to disobey, and with a pale face, the demon tribe spat out all the information they had.