Chapter 773: Intermission: Lilim ~ ~ Benefactor and King ~ ~ (1/2)

While Kaito was visiting the Sanctuary to check Shallow Vernal's schedule, a certain being came to visit Alice's miscellaneous goods store.

[Oya? Kuro-san, what's up?]

[Unnn, I just had some business with you, Shalltear. I'm really glad you're easier to find. I just have to find you near Kaito-kun.]

[Hahaha, what are you saying? If you just want to find me, why don't you come to my miscellaneous goods store?]

[……So says the one who closed the store and disappeared while Kaito-kun was back in his world.]

When Kuromueina came into the miscellaneous goods store, she exchanged a few words with Alice and let out a light sigh. Just as she said, Alice normally appears at different places and even moves from one place to another, making it difficult for Kuromueina to find her.

However, when Kaito was there, it was easy to make contact with her because she always had a clone in her general store and was basically almost always guarding Kaito nearby.

[Ahaha, so, the reason you especially came to visit me…… Was it because of ”that Trading Company” that Kuro-san has been busy with lately?]

[Unnn, well, that's right. If they were trying to drag us down as some sort of sales strategy, I would have ignored them…… but it seems like people have gotten hurt already, so I think they've gone beyond what I can overlook.]

At that point, Alice prepared a chair in front of the counter, where Kuromueina sat down before she continued.

What was bothering Kuromueina was that a small Trading Company that had a contract with the Seditch Magic Tool Trading Company was in trouble with a rather disreputable Trading Company.

[Even though we have a contract with them, that Trading Company isn't directly under our control. If I go and deal with them myself, the situation will inevitably get bigger.]

[It definitely will…… So, your request is for me to solve the problem, correct?]

[Unnn. Just like usual, the most amicable way possible.]

[You're as kind as always…… This would have been over in a snap if you'd just let me crush them.]

It isn't that often, but Kuromueina offers Alice jobs like this. As one of the Six Kings and the president of the world's largest Trading Company, the more Kuromueina moves, the bigger the problem becomes, so she relies on Alice's help when she wants to get things done as secretly and peacefully as possible.

Chuckling when she hears Kuromueina's words, Alice then spoke to her with a slightly more serious expression on her face.

[Well, for the time being…… Do you have someone you'd like to handle this in mind?]

[……Is Pandemonium-chan still no good?]

[Fumu…… I understand how you feel. If it's her, she'll be able to solve the problem in a good and clean way…… but…….]

[I guess she's really too busy with work on Kaito-kun's mansion?]

[Hmmm, rather than busy…… She's been working so happily over there lately, so I don't really want to give her too much work to do. Well, I'm sure she won't refuse if she's asked……]

[I see…… Hmmm…… Then, can I ask Lilim-chan to do it ”again”?]

Kuromueina also knows Pandemonium…… Illness from back then, that's why she consented with Alice when she said that she had been working happily lately.

And since she didn't feel comfortable asking for a job that would interfere with her happiness, Kuromueina mentioned another candidate.

[Well, I guess that's how it's going to be. She's ”invincible against weaker opponents”, so I guess you could say she's the right person for the job. So, I'll turn this job over to Lilim again this time.]

[Thanks, that would be very helpful.]

In the capital of Archlesia Empire, in a room of the largest castle in the capital with many tall buildings, Lilim, the mother of the current emperor and one of the Ten Demons under the Phantasmal King, was looking at her manicured fingers.

She has such overwhelming beauty that even such a simple gesture looked picturesque, but looking inexplicably troubled, she mumbled.

[……I don't dislike this color, but it doesn't suit Chris-chan. I think a shade of blue would suit Chris-chan better…… a darker color would also be nice. Hmmm, I wonder if I'd find a good color for her…..]

What Lilim was currently working on the new products for the season that have arrived from the various Trading Companies that specialize in cosmetics, but from among the many samples, she was picking those that would suit her beloved daughter, Chris.

She was just about to reach for the next sample, thinking that she would give it to Chris if she found a good one…… when her lord appeared in her room.

[Sorry to disturb you, Lilim.]

[……Ahh~~ Shalltear-sama? Could it be?]

[Yes, it's a new directive.]

[Hmmm…… ”I'm not in the mood this time, so I'll pass”~~]

Without listening to her King, Shalltear's directive, Lilim refused and reached out for the next sample.

She was originally quite moody, so it's not uncommon for her to refuse directives like this because she isn't in the mood. In the first place, Alice has given her executives the right to refuse directives and orders. In addition, the person who uses this right the most is Lilim, and the probability that she will obediently comply is at most 40%.

However…… There are always exceptions to everything.

[……Incidentally, this is ”Kuro-san's request”.]

Immediately after Alice told her this, Lilim's hand stopped from reaching to a sample and her shoulders slumped down.

[I understand…… I'll take it.]

[Oya? I thought you weren't in the mood.]

[I see you're as terrible as ever. You know I can't refuse Underworld King's request, didn't you……]