245 For now, sit in seiza.

Since when?

Since when did I mistakenly believe today’s post would be only one?

For the one who misbehaved, seiza.

This is common knowledge for any Japanese person.

Huh?

No.

No objections allowed.

Incidentally, I just realized I’ve never done seiza in my entire life.

Next time I transfer to Japan, I’ll try doing seiza while pouring tea.

Wabi-sabi!

Thus, my younger sister is currently in seiza.

Her hands are bound behind her back with string, her legs bound together, forced into position, and a stone placed on her thighs.

This is true oshioki!

My younger sister is on the verge of tears—no, she’s already crying.

Of course. She’s of royal blood. Such treatment is unprecedented.

First time experiencing—weight—.

The sensation in her legs should be sharp and intense. Let me poke her gently.

Blink, blink!

Damn, it’s amusing.

What is this? A new kind of toy?

A life-sized sister-type figure that gasps when poked.

Price: free of charge.

Damn, sales will flood in.

We are currently in a pocket dimension I constructed.

No one will come here, no matter how loud it gets.

In Nagame-kun’s room, someone would eventually hear the noise and come investigate.

Here, we can perform OHANASHI at leisure.

Not as isolated as the space where black is sealed, but time flow is altered compared to the real world.

Do not underestimate the poor communication skills that took Argnar half a day to explain.

It will absolutely take time.

Therefore, I am currently applying the maximum time manipulation possible.

Now, you are in a reverse Urashima Taro state.

Come now, sister dear, enjoy the full sensation of numbness in your legs!

Ah, no.

That was not the point.

“H-hick! U-un, you… f-fu… what are you?”

Her younger sister listens, weeping, groaning.

A spider, but what of it?

Hmm.

That’s not what you really wanted to ask, is it.

Hmm.

How should I respond?

"Diabolos"

I am the Demigod.

Not entirely wrong, and not lying.

I’m doing nothing but acting like a true demon god, even to myself.

A god, a man, seeking to destroy the world—call them demons!

The title shared with that D feels utterly repugnant.

I could have claimed the title of Demon King, but if word got out from somewhere, it might draw this child's elder brother here—unwanted.

The elder brother, not Yamada-kun.

The hero among them.

Killing him is simple enough—but doing so now would cause complications.

Proceeding with this matter carelessly could compromise my plan from its foundation.

Possibility only—probability is quite low, though.

Still, one must not cross a dangerous bridge unless the possibility is zero.

One does not cross a stone bridge by knocking on it.

While avoiding the risk of breaking the stone bridge with too much force.

"Devil god!"

I felt my sister’s breath catch.

Ah, right—there’s only one being in this world called a Devil God.

Long ago, a Devil God drove people into war.

Those exposed to the Devil God’s miasma turned on their neighbors, killing one another.

People regained sanity through the call of the goddess and united to destroy the Devil God.

Peace was restored under the goddess’s protection.

A happy ending.

Trivial old tales.

Too trivial to stomach.

A Devil God driving people to war.

Perfect fit for me.

I suppose I’m the ancient Devil God revived from mythological times.

I’ll take over the role of that demon god, if it ever existed.

Irony works well, I suppose.

My younger sister seemed oddly convinced.

Wait, are you actually convinced?

Ah, I see.

Am I really being labeled a demon god now?

Which would be worse—being looked at like a painful spectacle, or this?

For now, that threat should be sufficient.

On to the main point.

“Wait, killing them isn’t allowed.”

Damn, I forgot Summer’s name here.

Actually, I’m the type who can’t remember faces or names.

I’d understand if I were a reincarnated one.

But thanks to my memories as Wakaba-hime.

I don’t keep track of names here—neither humans nor reincarnated ones.

Unless they make a strong impression.

So, by that logic, this younger sister must’ve made quite the impression.

Well, huh?

Why? Huh! You, the Demon God—why are you protecting that man?

Hmm, so summarizing—am I supposed to be asking why I’m shielding Natsume-kun? Is that it?

No need to make such a suggestive tone.

If you keep doing that, Sister might open a new door.

No, not really.

"That one is still usable."

Purpose not disclosed.

Nor will I mention it's disposable.

Telling you might lead to strange expectations. That’s unsettling.

"Are you—going to provoke chaos?"

Nod.

Huh?

Sister’s making a complicated expression?

Hmm.

A clue to the strategy?

Recall this girl’s character.

How to lure her.

What’s she thinking right now, to make that face.

Think.

There’s no need to think.

In my mind, she’s only ever been obsessed with her elder brother.

Extremely so.

This face—this is it.

If war breaks out, my beloved, ultra-perfect elder brother will rise to prominence, becoming a figure of national significance and aiding in his ascent to the pinnacle of the world.

Ah, but even my elder brother—no matter how extraordinary—might not be a match for the demon before me.

Then, my elder brother is in danger!

A demon such as this cannot ignore a figure radiating such a great presence as my elder brother!

It must be plotting to eliminate him now, before he grows strong!

But my elder brother—my elder brother can overcome even a demon!

To achieve that, I cannot allow this demon to reach him now.

Elder Brother, I will buy you time!

…Yeah, that’s probably how it is.

The grim resolve from just moments ago vanished as if it had never been. The way he stared at me now—sharp, unyielding—seemed to mirror exactly how my thoughts had shifted.

This was not a direct translation, but a voice speaking from within my own mind. Still, it felt close enough to the truth.

Then, not a demon's whisper, but a heretic god’s murmuring.

"Brother… shall I let you go?"

Tonight is the last time.