209 Vampire Servant Pacification Operation

Transferred into an arbitrary forest.

Left the vampire master and servant sleeping within the Demon King’s domain, then transferred once more to the city.

Stole various items from a fire scene.

Placed them into a created extradimensional space.

Attempting to replicate the spatial magic skill of Spatial Storage, but it is difficult.

Spatial magic systems are reportedly high difficulty.

Set up a stolen tent, and began preparing a simple meal using stolen ingredients.

The Demon King sits with eyes glowing.

Help out.

While eating the completed meal, the Guard awoke.

According to the Demon King, the name is Melazofis—something resembling a ball of fire.

“Where is this?”

“An arbitrary forest. I wanted to talk at length, so I put you to sleep and brought you here myself.”

“Is that so.”

Melazofis is long—call him Mela.

Mela remains slightly wary.

Well, I’m an unknown, mysterious oddity, after all.

Primarily due to the Demon King’s actions.

No one believes that one is the real Demon King.

If anyone did, they’d be the one.

“Thank you for your assistance.”

“You’re welcome—well, you’re just a side matter. The main target is that child.”

The Demon King pointed toward the Vampire Child still sound asleep.

“May I ask a few questions?”

“Sure. I’ll answer what I can.”

“What happened to the town? No—what of the lord and lady?”

The Demon King turned his face toward me.

I shook my head.

During supply runs, I did check on the Vampire Child’s family.

The outcome was, regretfully, not good.

He must have sensed it from my reaction.

Mela suppressed his voice and wept bitterly.

After several minutes of weeping, he wiped his tears and lifted his still-soggy face.

"I apologize for my appearance."

"No. Tears shed for another are never shameful."

The Demon King regarded Melas with gentle eyes.

He had said something similar when preparing to go to aid, as if he had grown fond.

"One more thing. There was another female attendant, a lady-in-waiting, with me at that location. Have you seen her?"

"You saw her too. She is dead."

"Yes, that’s right."

There was a faint glimmer of hope, a wish for miracle.

He did not expect much, but the faintest trace of possibility remained.

He maintained composure, yet disappointment was still visible.

"Then, I will ask again. Who are you, exactly?"

"Then I suppose I’ll answer seriously too."

The pressure emanating from the Demon King intensified.

Seems like the oppressive skill was turned on while previously off.

Minimal effect on me, but the change was dramatic.

Sweat erupted from Mel’s entire body.

His expression froze in terror.

The forest creatures, as if by coincidence, simultaneously retreated from the area.

"I am the genuine Demon King. I am Ariel, Demon King. Please treat me with due respect henceforth."

Ah, without the usual awkwardness, it’s clear I’m truly a Demon King.

Mel can’t possibly doubt this pressure.

In fact, no one else could produce such pressure—there’s no way such a being is common.

"Demons… Why would a Demon King…?"

Normally, one would be terrified and flee immediately, yet he stands firm, shielding the Vampire Child with unwavering resolve.

Not only that—he still manages to ask, voice hoarse, a question.

Impressive resolve.

“Hmm. Shiro-chan, what should we do?”

Is this about whether it’s permissible to speak?

Should be fine.

So, nodding in agreement.

“Then I shall explain.”

The Demon King releases his oppressive presence and begins explaining in a steady stream.

“There was a fool in this world who caused trouble—disturbed another world.”

“Huh?”

“Just listen. Young people from that other world died, many of them, due to circumstances here. A god, burdened by guilt, collected their souls at the time of death and reborn them in this world. Known as reincarnates.”

“Huh.”

Melra listens, expression unimpressed, uncooperative.

Well, yes—something like this, thrown out of nowhere, is hard to take seriously.

"They are reincarnates. They are born with memories from their previous lives. And they receive bonuses from the gods as well. Whether that's the reason or not, the ones who attacked you seem to be targeting reincarnates."

"Um... how does that relate to me?"

"Oh? You're slow to catch on. In other words, the young lady over there—she is one of those reincarnates."

"!?"

Surprise flickers across Melra's face.

But it is not the magnitude the Demon King expected.

"Hmm. You don't believe me?"

"Of course not. I can't believe a story with no foundation like that."

"Really? Nothing comes to mind? She's unusually perceptive for a baby. Or perhaps she acted strangely for a child?"

"…That is..."

"Ah. You're admitting it."

Well. It's bound to be true.

No matter how skilled the performance, a high school student cannot perfectly mimic a baby.

They’d win the lead role award if they could.

The reason it goes unnoticed is simply because the body truly is that of a baby.

As long as the appearance is accepted, minor inconsistencies are overlooked.

“Also, you’ve probably noticed by now—this young lady isn’t human. She’s a vampire.”

“Indeed. That’s what I suspected.”

“Yeah. And you, too.”

“The bite you received from her that time… it actually happened.”

“Correct. The young lady was granted vampire abilities directly from the gods. That’s why she was born a vampire. Judging by her stats, she seems to have experimented with various methods after realizing this.”

“What kind of methods?”

“Possibly trying to hide her identity as a vampire—given that she possesses skills in memory and calculation. She may have been attempting to find a way to conceal it.”

"Do you possess the鉴定 skill?"

"鉴定 Level 10. Impressive, right?"

A smug expression.

"Anyway, we can confirm the details together when the young lady wakes up. Incidentally, I rescued the young lady this time due to a certain connection. That Shiro over there is a reincarnated one."

Melia stares at me. I give a slight nod.

Slight recoil in her expression. Probably just my imagination.