256 Brought a man inside, so I’m letting him stay—what, you’re shocked!??

Already wanting to leave, these days.

No, I’m just a commoner—those types who come charging in like night dew death curse rebels, I can’t stand them at all.

See, from the perspective of an ordinary citizen, delinquents are just a huge nuisance, aren’t they?

You usually avoid them, right?

So it’s only natural I’d want to leave.

"Then why are you trying to leave!?"

Gngh!?

Why’d you catch me?

Guh.

That’s why I’m bad at socializing.

I can’t handle people who come at me head-on like that.

Whether someone looks delinquent or not—well, that’s not really the point.

Most people around me before were fairly calm. They understood I don’t talk much and adjusted accordingly. So it worked out. But this one—no.

He doesn’t care at all about my situation.

"Then, seriously, what the hell do you want?"

There it is.

Even demons talk—though that one's an exception. I can speak normally with him.

A Vampire Child doesn’t expect me to speak at all.

Argner patiently waits until I begin.

But this one—pushes, demands, right now, speak now.

Stop. I’ll die.

Um… what was I here to say again?

"Hey, I’m not exactly free, you know. Spit it out already."

Damn it!

Don’t rush me!

"Ghost, lodger, okay?"

There!

You’re rushing me, so I can only blurt out nonsense!

"What? I don’t get it."

It’s your fault. Yours!

Let me speak in my own pace!

"Brow, you’re the one pushing. Shiro’s the one struggling. Besides, the reason for this visit isn’t you—it’s me, isn’t it?"

"U-uh, well…"

"Shiro, forgive me. Step aside, please."

"If my elder brother says so."

Nice one, Barth.

Not for nothing did the Demon King put you to work.

A man who reads the air well.

"Then, I'll ask again—what is your purpose here?"

Hmm, just the moment.

Demon, but that won't get through. Man?

Protecting a man? Found one?

Heartbroken—want to keep him resting for a while.

Yes.

"Found a man. Want to keep him at the estate."

Gagon!

The sound echoed as the henchman fell hard.

What’s wrong with this guy?

"N-Nan da to!?"

No, why the sudden broken speech pattern?

You're the one speaking like that!

"Shiro. This is not a rendezvous place. I’ll overlook one, but do not push it."

Hm?

Hm—?

Hnn!?

N-No!

I didn’t mean it that way!

Ooh!

Now I see why the henchman fell.

The way I said it could sound like that, depending on how you take it!

"Wrong."

If I don't correct this now, my reputation is at stake.

I'll ignore it if someone else does it—but I won't tolerate being labeled that way myself.

[That's right. We look the same, so don't assume I'm some cheap woman.]

I thought I heard something. Probably just my imagination.

Maid, there's a slacker god here.

Take them away immediately.

"O-oh, you—y-you're a m-man!?"

Shut up. Die.

It's just wordplay.

"An old acquaintance. Might be useful as a combat asset."

Emphasizing we're not close—while hinting at potential utility.

That should satisfy the thugs, at least. Balt should accept it too!

Whether they're actually useful remains to be seen.

"Hmm, I see. Then there's no issue. May I ask how effective they are?"

See?

A man who understands the matter truly is different.

No comparison to the ineffectual street thug still trembling in fear.

"Quite."

"Yes. That is reassuring."

Bart’s expression twitched for a moment. Pretend not to notice.

Bart is cooperating only because he fears the Demon Lord. Like Argner, he cannot be fully trusted.

If he believes our power has weakened, he may turn on us.

Still, Bart’s concern is misplaced.

Oni-kun has never even met the Demon Lord.

We do not know Oni-kun’s character.

What he does next depends entirely on him.

There is a hope he might join our side, but that is only if possible.

No intention to force him.

But if he chooses to stand before me of his own will, I won’t spare him.

"I’ll contact the estate myself. There are plenty of unused rooms, after all."

"Thank you."

I offered my thanks, and Balt blinked in mild surprise.

It’s just a simple courtesy.

I’ve secured Balt’s permission. There’s no reason to stay here.

I’ll leave before the idle thugs regain consciousness.

＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊

"Blow."

"Wha—? Brother, what about him?"

"He’s already gone."

"O-oh. Right."

"From the look of it, he’s not her lover."

"No, I don’t care about that kind of thing!"

"Blow, she’s not a good choice. So where’s your interest?"

"W-what are you talking about?"

"Hah. My younger brother, who’s never been involved in romance, ends up with someone of such high difficulty."

"No, that’s not it! I just... my heart races when I see him! That’s all!"

"Hah."

Stockholm Effect: The phenomenon wherein romantic feelings are misattributed to a person encountered during states of anxiety or fear. It is believed to arise from misinterpreting heightened heart rate—caused by stress or fear—as a sign of romantic attraction.