Chapter 45.1 - A Calm Yet Turbulent Day (1/2)

Chapter 45.1 : A Calm Yet Turbulent Day

◆ Demon King Modes

「I’m sorry, Mona.」

「It’s alright, Modes-sama. Something of this level is not of consequence.」

I bowed to Mona, hoping my sincerity would reach her.

Thankfully, she accepted my wish easily.

By now, the female demon knight who used to be Mona’s bodyguard should’ve headed toward Lord Diehart’s residence. With this, Lord Diehart should have his subordinates as well.

My first intention was to give him a subordinate from the Chivalric Order of the Dark Knight, which was composed of males from Demonkind. But that was not possible. There were not enough knights available, because they were still rebuilding their numbers after almost being wiped out by the hero. I could not take more of them from Lord Runfeld.

I’m also considering some subordinates from lower races or orc races, but when considering Lord Diehart’s strength, I was afraid they would be more of a hindrance than of help. The only option I had left was picking those of Demonkind who could ride a wyvern.

After that, I started considering how many of Mona’s female knights I should send to Lord Diehart.

Theoretically, as long as Mona stayed in Nargol, she was in no danger.

Therefore, she did not need so many subordinates.

There shouldn’t be a problem in transferring some of her knights, but I needed to discuss that with her first. I fully expected her to hesitate in agreeing due to her dislike of Lord Diehart but, unexpectedly, she easily agreed to my wish. That was a relief.

「Of course I should grant Modes-sama’s wish.」

「Nufufufu…」

Mona was smiling at me so brightly it was enough to melt my heart.

I did not hesitate to embrace her.

「Please refrain from doing this… Modes-sama… We’re in a public place…」

「Nufufufufu… Don’t worry about it, it’s no big deal at all.」

The moment was ruined a bit by a voice coming from the other side of the door.

「Your Majesty, may I interrupt you for a moment?」

「What is it?」

After I allowed him inside, Rugaas bowed to me.

「Your Majesty, I have some urgent news. It’s an emergency.」

「What’s the matter, Lord Rugaas?」

「Your Majesty… Nut, who was tasked with monitoring the Hero of Light and his party, was caught by one of his women.」

「WHAT!!!」

Nut… He’s someone who worked well…

If he was caught, then that means he…

「Old Man Rugaas, why did you say emergency? That’s just a rat. Do you think you need to report the fate of such an insignificant being to His Majesty? Please stop wasting his time with those trivial matters.」

Mona admonished Rugaas with a cold tone.

It seems she was pissed off that he had interrupted our time together.

「Yes, it is a trivial matter, but…」

Of course, he agreed with her. Nut did not have a high social standing in Nargol, so neither Mona nor Rugaas were concerned with rescuing him.

But this Modes wouldn’t abandon those who worked for him.

「Lord Rugaas. Where is the Hero’s party right now?」

「That… They ventured inside the Minon Labyrinth.」

「WHAT!? Do you mean THAT labyrinth?」

「Yes, but I am unaware of the exact reason they did so…」

「… This is bad. That labyrinth is troublesome.」

I was very familiar with the Minon Labyrinth.

Once before, this Demon King entered that place. It was an extremely troublesome place ruled by THAT fella. Even This One had difficulty there, for others it’ll be a very dangerous place.

「Your Majesty… I think you don’t need to concern yourself with this matter. He’s just a rat, you can just abandon him.」

Despite Mona telling me to abandon Nut, I was unwilling. If possible, I wanted to save him.

However, my movements were limited due to my covenant with Oudith. Was there someone else who could save Nut other than me?

My thoughts were unconsciously redirected toward a certain man.

A certain dark Knight whose power rivaled mine.

No one but him could save Nut.

「… Looks like I have no choice but to ask for his help.」

◆ Sword Maiden, Shirone

We were heading back to the Holy Republic Lenaria after leaving the Kingdom of Algore. We still had to prepare to welcome Regena and her families.

I didn’t want to go back, but Kaya-san told me to ask for Chiyuki-san’s opinion. Recently, we had gained more information about the Kuroki situation. Also, there was still a chance to take him back since the brainwashing wasn’t yet completed.

We needed to create an opportunity to complete it.

「Kaya. Is there still no contact from my brother and the others?」

「Milady… Our contact from Reiji-sama’s side was completely cut off. I fear something has happened.」

Kaya answered Kyouka-san’s query with a troubled face.