第５４掘：魔王と子供達 (Part2)
"Ah, even in my hands... they struggled until the very end. It was magnificent. Your parents never gave up on living, not until the very last moment."
"Kyuu."
"Kii."
As Deryu spoke, the children seemed to understand. They let out cries, slipped from the arms of Aslin and the others, and vanished into the forest.
"...Why didn't they bite me?"
The moment the children had cried out, Deryu had clearly expected to be harmed.
"Don't be silly. Animals are different from people. They kill to live, and they die. But this time, despite them having passed, their remains were left behind. In the wild, usually only bones would remain. That would become nourishment for the next life. Those children just wanted to confirm if there was any meaning to their parents' deaths."
I explained the children's intentions to a stunned Deryu.
"Meaning, you say... How admirable. Far more than I, who went mad with rage and took the easy path..."
I don't know what she was thinking, but Deryu stared at the forest where the children had disappeared for a long time.
"However, I wonder what meaning they found in my answer..."
"Well, why don't you ask them yourself eventually?"
"Ask them?"
"Oh? You caused a great deal of trouble for this dungeon today, you know. Do you think a simple apology is enough to settle that?"
"You're quite harsh."
"At the very least, I want you to work here to make up for the trouble you caused. This place isn't just for us—it's their home, too."
"That's too lenient. Shouldn't there be a proper punishment?"
"Lenient? I take that as a declaration of war against those of us who manage this place."
As I took a step back, Tori and Riel grabbed Deryu by both arms.
"W-what is the meaning of this!?"
"Well, you just insulted the management of this place by calling it lenient, so we're just making sure you get to work properly, that's all."
Eris wore a smile that was rare for her. Though, there was a vein pulsing on her forehead.
"For starters, we need dinner prepared for seventy people, including us. Once that's done, there's stocking the shop, cleaning the baths..."
As expected of Eris, she has it all memorized. She proceeded to list off a mountain of chores that Deryu definitely didn't want to hear.
"W-wait a moment, you! There's no way one body can handle all of that in time!?"
"Oh? You are a Demon Lord, aren't you? Can't you split yourself or something?"
"Hey! Don't lump me in with monsters like slimes!"
Despite her protests, she didn't struggle. She really is kind at heart.
"Pikii!!"
"Hii!? Y-you're that slime from earlier!?"
"Please be happy. Surakichi-san has volunteered to supervise you, Deryu-san."
Yes, with Surakichi-san around, I can rest easy.
"Hey!? You, Dungeon Master, was it!? Your will is being ignored here!! Is this okay? You're the king of this place, aren't you!? I think someone as dangerous as me should be kept in a cell!!"
Perhaps as a final act of desperation, she actually asked Yuki for help.
"Too bad. This place is run by everyone's consensus. Give it up."
"I've never cooked a day in my life, you know—!!"
Oh my, that hardly makes her suitable as a wife for Yuki. I'll have to teach her properly.
And so, the night ended.
We had assigned Deryu a guest room in the inn, but she was so exhausted she didn't even have the energy to move there. So, I had no choice but to lay out another futon in our room for her to sleep in. Naturally, it was Yuki's room.
"Uwaa~, Yuki. You're the only one who is kind to me. Those girls are abnormal; there's no way anyone could handle that workload. I'm never leaving your side again, Yuki!! If I do, I'll surely be treated like I was today. The title of 'Demon Lord' is nothing compared to those girls! That's why it's only natural that my work is so grueling—!!"
Carried in Yuki's arms like a princess, Deryu wagged her tail at him without a second thought. She's so easy. ...Though, I can't help but feel something is off. Is it just my imagination?
Well, no matter how much she screams, she'll be working hard tomorrow, too.
Perhaps tomorrow we'll have her work as a shop clerk, at the entertainment facilities, and as an attendant at the open-air baths. She seems capable of arithmetic, which makes her quite useful.
By the way, the title of this chapter, "The Demon Lord and the Children," wasn't referring to Aslin and the others. Those who have read this far already know that. Those children will surely grow up to be big and strong.
I just hope they don't surpass Surakichi-san.
As for our dear Demon Lord, the consequences of wandering around alone have finally caught up with her. She'll just have to do her best as a public servant from here on out. lol