156 CHAPTER IV COLLECTION OF MATERIALS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A LONG TIME ② (2/2)

Belle gets off her broom and sticks to my back to hide herself from a house.

Well, I can understand why she's so scared. To Belle, you're the symbol of fear.

”Yeah. I am. Oh, but it's been four years since I last saw her, so I'm not sure she's there.

I haven't been here since I came here to defeat the dragon: ...... Maybe he got bored with this place and moved away?

No, I'm here.

Ah, I knew it.

Kyah~!

I didn't think anything of it because I was expecting it, but Belle was surprised enough to sit up and take notice of the appearance from behind by the Demon King.

When I turned around, holding the trembling Belle in my arms, the Demon King was standing there looking apologetic .

''You scared the hell out of me, ...... How are you doing?''

Yeah. You look as good as ever at .......

Well, since I'm a demon race, not much will change in four years or so .

Well, I can't change. You, on the other hand, have changed. Hey, that's not a bad thing. You're maturing well.

That's true. People grow up in four years.

Aye, people really do live a short time. But they can live a very intense life. I envy you.

Do you envy him?

Do you envy the Demon King who has that much power and can live for many times longer than others?

Well, I can't really say that to the Demon King who has a sad look in his eyes .

Yes, I've lived for nearly a thousand years. I've lived, but most of those thousand years have been spent doing nothing ...... but passing the time.

A thousand years?　Are you really that alive?

Can a demon race live that long?　Because he's a powerful demon?　Or is it because he's a demon king?

Hmm?　Didn't I tell you this before?　As I recall, that's when I showed you where the dragons were.

'Did I tell you that?　Yeah, ...... I was so impressed with the dragon that I don't remember it.

Okay. In case you forgot, I'll explain it to you. I couldn't tell you the details of what I was doing then, anyway.

Hmm. So you're telling me now?

It's only been four years since then, okay?

Well, four years is a lot for a person's children.

Simply put, yes. Now is the time to teach them.

The time?

Is there ever a good time to learn about the Demon King?

I'll tell you all about it in the house. Come on. Oh, and you can bring your Beast King's daughter with you.

Are you sure you're okay with me letting Bell hear this?　I looked at him as if to say, ”I'm sorry,” and the Demon King gave me the OK.

I'm glad I couldn't leave Belle here, who looks like she can't even stand up yet ......, didn't I just say something outrageous?

Juju, the Beast King?

Didn't you just say you're the daughter of the Beast King?

What?　Hadn't you noticed?　Only beast royalty can use beast magic, remember?　Oh, come to think of it, it's no wonder you don't know . The Beast King's Daughter: ......

It's a bell.

I looked at Belle, and she seemed to be having trouble figuring out what to call me, so I told her my name .

'I see . Belle, you are the last survivor of the Beastmen Royal Family.

'What?　What do you mean?

How did beastly royalty end up in an orphanage?　And what does it mean to be the last survivor?

Simple. Belle is the only daughter of the last Beastmen king who managed to keep her alive. Before he died, the Beast King left his child in the care of an old friend, fighting and dying to protect his country from a powerful enemy.

An old friend is ...... the grandmother in the orphanage where Belle grew up?

Holy shit. Who was that old lady, Friend of the Beast King?　Seriously, I think I need to make time to go see him next time.

I mean, more importantly.

That powerful enemy is ......?

Who killed the Beast King?

That sounds like what I was going to tell you, so I'll tell you when we get inside.

With that, the demon king walked into his house.

''I'm here today to collect materials. ......

I didn't expect this to happen, but I had no choice but to follow the demon king into the house.