Dark Elf Goddess

Twelve Slave.

The phrase popped into my head as I looked at the women before me—some made-up word, really, not even particularly smooth to say—so I dismissed it just as quickly as it came.

Inside the Demon Lord’s Castle, the Throne Room.

Unlike the previous palace-style mansion, this time it was built properly as a castle.

So the throne room was spacious and solemn in design.

Me seated on the throne, and twelve slaves gathered before me.

On the left, lined up in order: Risha, Mira, Yuria, Rirya, Arisa, and Sveta.

On the right, also in order: Shasuri, Iriina, Vera, Arisa, Bella, and Olga.

Arranged by the order they became slaves, mothers facing their daughters.

Standing in neat formation on either side of the crimson carpet leading to the throne.

I was just thinking if there was some fitting phrase for this scene when that earlier nonsense word popped up again.

Oh well, words don’t matter right now.

"Congratulations, Master. Now there are no enemies left in the world for you."

Risha, the first slave and the one who’s been with me the longest, said.

"That’s a villain’s line, not something suitable for a brother to say."

Rirya, the fourth slave, pointed out. Yeah, that does sound a bit like a villain’s speech.

"Whatever. The fact is, there aren’t any enemies left."

"Complacency is the enemy. Humans always have enemies."

Mira, ever the optimist, chipped in, while Yuria, true to her nature, tightened the tone.

And so, the twelve slaves standing before me began speaking in turn.

I remembered the saying: three women together make a racket. Here there are four times that number—this isn’t just a racket. It’s a full-blown uproar.

But it’s not an unpleasant feeling.

Adorable little slaves fussing over me—how could that possibly be unpleasant?

I kept watching them from my throne.

☆

The Demon Castle connects to each town through magical portals. Only I and the slaves I created can pass through these doors.

While most of the slaves returned to their duties using them, I stopped only Sveta.

“Is there an order?”

Sixth Slave Sveta.

Stiff-backed, sharp-eyed, with a voice that sounds like a blade drawn from its sheath.

She was once a member of the Regret race.

The Regret were once Eternal Slaves who hadn’t found their Master by a certain age—changed by the weight of waiting. Slaves who longed to serve, but never found their master.

In a way, they were the living form of sorrow.

And so she returned to being an Eternal Slave—by some twist of fate—and became my slave.

"More like… I need to ask you something."

"What is it?"

"The land of Regret. Tell me where it is."

"—!"

Svetlana gasped.

"Why… why would you…?"

"...There’s no way back to Eternal Slave now, not from Regret."

Only the Demon God could do that.

Regret had died, become Schreivj, and killing that Schreivj brought one back to Eternal Slave.

That’s how Svetlana had returned.

But the Demon God’s power is sealed. Which means, from now on, there’s no way for Regret to come back.

When I realized that, I felt equal parts guilt and regret.

"I just want to go there… to help Regret live comfortably."

"...Thank you."

Svetlana’s eyes welled up.

——Charged 100,000 units of magic.

Yet she smiled so wide it hurt.

☆

I got the location of Regret and the others from Svetlana.

First time in ages doing this alone.

Regret’s country forbids Eternal Slaves from entering, by nature.

That’s why I couldn’t step in before—no slave could accompany me.

But I pushed through anyway. Headed straight for Regret.

It was close to the Demon Castle. So I decided to go from here.

Stepped out of the castle. Down the artificial slope.

There, the Heretic God waited.

Leaning against a tree, watching me.

“Something wrong?”

“I’ll go with you.”

“With me?”

“Regret’s place, right? I’d be useful.”

“Why? How’s a spellbound you useful?”

“Strange child. Don’t you see?”

“Huh?”

"Risha gave you an Eternal Slave. What if I had called you under similar circumstances?"

"Risha...? You mean the Goddess?"

The Demon nods.

That’s fine, but what’s going on?

...

—!

No way!

"Is it you, Regret?"

"Smart girl."

The Demon smiled, sly and knowing.

"I am Regret’s birth mother. I am a goddess."