10 Chapter 2 3 : Roommates... problematic roommates (2/2)

”You can do that, I have a date in half an hour or so, so I need to leave. Sorry” (Ryuu)

”Oh? Who's it with? Does he know that you're the Demon Lord?” (Mae)

”I won't say, and yes. Also, please don't say anything about the demons or the Demon Lord, especially in about me, like, ever... I don't want word to get out, not even a rumor that there's a new Demon Lord” (Ryuu)

”Wait, are you going out looking like, well, dressed the way you are?” (Mae)

”Hmm? Oh... I guess I should wear something... well, less tattered than my traveling clothes, and not the school uniform, because I don't have it and it's not very good looking, I think. Let's see... what do I have? Uh... Well, there's the dress that was made for my court debut, which never happened. Other than that, there's just these... things... with such a high exposure rate that I'd feel more comfortable walking around naked” (Ryuu)

”Ah... those... I hear... they are the common dress... for demons... and I... once tried it on... they are comfortable... I wear them to sleep, sometimes... but... I can't wear it in public...” (Elise)

I changed into my court debut dress, then realized that it made me look like a princess, so Ninya... Well, she would look extremely out of place with me, so I changed back.

”What else do I have? It's limited to... oh, there's this...” (Ryuu)

I changed into it, and faced the two girls again.

”I used this when I was learning court etiquette, so it should work. I'd only look like some rich merchant's daughter, so it'd be fine. What do you think?” (Ryuu)

”Pretty. You look somewhat wealthy, but not that much so. You wouldn't be out of place with a merchant's son, a noble's son, or a decently prosperous adventurer... well, not if you were with a duke's son, but a count, for instance? You'd be fine” (Mae)

”Nn... Looks good. Go on... knock his boots off” (Elise)

”Yeah... ah, shit... How will I carry my weapons? I have the earrings and bracelets, that's fine, but I'd still make most people faint if they walked near me. I could have a barrier around myself, but... people who could notice it would think something's off about me and some, like the guards, would try to break it...” (Ryuu)

”Nobles and merchants wearing a dagger aren't that rare. I think that should be enough... no, wear the axe under your dress, I guess? Not having the staff would mean that your aura would be a bit higher than a normal person's, but not very much so” (Mae)

”Sounds good” (Ryuu)

I put them on, and left the room. After a bit, I got close to the square, and was stopped by a few rough-looking men carrying weapons of all kinds. There were three in front of me, two more hidden behind some boxes and carts, and four trying to hide behind me... and two on the roofs above me. I knew they were following me for a while, which is why I deliberately took a shortcut through a deserted alleyway.

”Hand over your money and valuables, and we won't hurt you. Well, we'll try not to hurt you in any case, as you'll fetch a better price that way. Elves are quite valuable, you see, so much so that even the filthy halfbreeds like you are worth the bit of hassle it takes to get them alive and in one piece” (Thug A)

”That's all true, save for one thing... I'm not an ordinary elf. The eight of you hiding can come out you know! The two on the roofs, four behind me, and two hiding behind objects can't hide your own auras... wait, you know, the two thugs behind me can come out, the other two behind me can stay put. Just watch and learn, because you're going to see the style of fighting I have almost perfected... no, this'll be over too fast for that” (Ryuu)

”Huuhhh? What're you talking about? We... Oh, fine. She listed everyone, so you may as well come out and help. She seems to be confident, but we're strong enough to take down a lesser wyvern! What problem could a little girl pose to us?” (Thug B)

”Blue Flame Mantle. Perfect Cube” (Ryuu)

With that, the frozen flames of the Demon Lord covered my body, and the area was sealed off by an indestructible barrier that kept out prying eyes. The twelve of us were trapped, and I drew my axe and spear, holding each in one hand as they were coated with the freezing blue flames of hell, flames so cold they could freeze other flames. Ah, how I love barrier magic. It means that I can fight as much and as flashily as I wished and nobody would be hurt or scared by it that I didn't wish to be in that position. As soon as the thugs were done trying to process what was going on, they'd all been cut or stabbed, and were getting frozen from the inside out by the flames that invaded their bodies. After a moment, there were nine ice statues, me, who'd dispelled my flames but not the barrier, and two girls who were VERY bad at stalking people, namely, Elise and Mae.

”So... why did you two follow me?” (Ryuu)

”I wanted to see who the guy who caught your eye was” (Mae)

”I... didn't want to be... the only one there... when Charlotte woke up... and this is... as good a reason to go... as any... I think...” (Elise)

”Ah... what should I do with you two? Ah, I know. You two may wish to take these ice blocks to the guards, or have one of you stay here with them to keep them from getting damaged while the other brings back some guards. They are serial criminals, after all” (Ryuu)

”But...” (Mae)

”If I really wanted to, I could shake you off in a minute or less, you know. As it is, I simply don't want to have anyone meet my date without my asking first. So, next time, maybe. We aren't official yet, it's just a trial... or rather, I'm in love, but... 'I like her, she's a good person, so I figured I'd give her a chance' was what was said when asked 'weren't you just saying that you don't know if you feel the same way about her?' so... Here's hoping! Also... if someone ruins it for me, they will feel the full extent of a Demon Lord's ire” (Ryuu)

”Hey, Elise? I think I have something else to do... what was it... oh yeah, bringing these would-be kidnappers to the guards. Wanna help?” (Mae)

”I... think... I... too... have... some... thing... to do...” (Elise)

I fled from there in the opposite direction to my destination, and then circled around, getting there as the sun finished dipping below the horizon. Ninya was there, waiting, though I didn't recognize her due to her being dressed as a woman, complete with the largest breasts I had ever seen, even on statues and paintings of goddesses. As I was also dressed in a completely different style, including having my hair hanging loose to my waist as opposed to tied in braided twintails, even if someone from her party were to show up, they wouldn't recognize either of us, and thus would not learn that Ninya is actually a girl. Hopefully.