Chapter 11: Karma’s Payback

"Here ya go! Two of today’s specials. And since the young lady’s such a beauty, dessert’s on the house!"

"Wow, Master, you’re really good at flattery! Ah, but thank you for the dessert!"

"…Hmph. No dessert for me, I see."

Across from me, the Demon King frowned ever so slightly. What a petty guy.

We were having dinner in the first-floor dining hall of Shirasagitei, a tavern and inn. Since I apparently count as an adult in this world, I can drink alcohol too. Honestly, I’m still not entirely sure how old Sonia actually is, but in a pseudo–medieval fantasy setting, people my age drinking isn’t exactly unusual. So… probably fine.

Personally, I always go for mead. The Demon King, on the other hand, ordered an entire bottle of wine. Not exactly cheap. Does he even have money?

Still, I was the one who invited him out, so I figured I’d cover the bill. I had brought some pocket money for that.

"This wine’s… adequate. The alcohol content is low, and it’s padded with filler. Still, perhaps the rustic flavor has its own appeal."

He sipped and delivered his critique like a sommelier. Funny thing was, I’d thought the same. Since our palates lined up like that, maybe the culture he comes from really is as advanced as the modern world. Just a guess, though.

Incidentally, the drinks at Shirasagitei aren’t much different in quality from those served at the royal palace of Sugarcreek. Sad, but fitting for a poor frontier nation.

Looking around, it was obvious we stood out. Between the Demon King’s all-black outfit, our youthful faces, and—well—our looks in general, we didn’t exactly blend in with the rougher crowd. The stares we drew were a little irritating.

Anyway, today’s special was a set meal: grilled fish, rice, a soup with fermented beans and vegetables, and some pickled root vegetables on the side.

Basically… a Japanese-style set meal. Totally breaks the fantasy immersion, right? Typical eroge world logic—patched together with duct tape.

That said, I actually love this special, so I sneak out of the palace sometimes just to eat here. After all that bread and pasta, a proper bowl of rice really hits the spot.

My stomach growled, so I focused on eating. A quiet, companionable silence settled between us—not unpleasant at all. It actually felt a little like sharing a meal with a friend.

Before long, I was done.

"Thanks for the meal."

I offered a brief word of gratitude to the food that gave its life. Now then… how should I start this?

"…Lord Maor. Once again, thank you for earlier."

I turned toward the Demon King, straightened my posture, and bowed deeply. That was sincere. Even if Princess Sonia was fated to a tragic end in the game, here in this world, he had saved me. Title or no, I had every reason to be grateful.

"Think nothing of it. It was hardly worth mentioning."

Yeah, he probably meant that. He likely didn’t even see it as “helping.”

"More importantly, Ains. You’re Sonia’s attendant, aren’t you? Arrange a meeting for me with her. At once."

"Huh?"

Right between the eyes—no lead-up, no subtlety.

This was where things got tricky. I tilted my head, feigning confusion, and rubbed my cheek with a finger in what I hoped came across as a cute, clueless gesture.

"…Why exactly do you want to meet Lady Sonia so much?"

I kept my tone calm, masking the panic fluttering in my chest. My heart, though, was pounding.

"My… acquaintances—no, informants—have all been saying the same thing: Sonia’s quite the woman. They were rather insistent about it."

Informants, huh? Must be the Chancellor. But “acquaintances,” plural—so he has multiple sources. That confirmed my suspicion.

"And despite being cornered—her fortress overrun by an army, in a hopeless situation—she managed to break through the Demon Lord’s encirclement and escape safely, even sowing confusion among my… no, the Demon Lord’s forces. A fine display of tactical skill."

The Demon King casually spilled information that should have been top secret. Officially, the story goes that the royal knights, led by my father, arrived just in time to rescue us. Asking how he knew that would be pointless.

"…Because of all that, I’ve come to respect her abilities. At first, I had no interest in this Sonia person—but after hearing so much, I simply couldn’t contain my curiosity. And so, I came here personally to meet her."

Hey, you. You’re supposed to be the third son of an earl, remember? Maybe dial down the arrogance. The way you’re talking right now screams “suspicious.”

As expected of the self-proclaimed Demon King—he doesn’t even consider the possibility of being refused. And he’s right: if he forced his way in, not only would refusal be impossible, but I might even end up being offered to him as a sacrifice.

So, I went with a gentler approach.

"However, Her Highness isn’t particularly fond of gentlemen who insist on meeting her by force."

I gave him a polite warning.

"Huh? Why?"

Didn’t get it. He honestly seemed unable to understand why anyone might refuse him.

I took a deep breath and began translating into “human language” for this alien.

"Because, Lord Maor, forcing yourself to meet Lady Sonia would only cause her great trouble. I truly think it would be best if you refrained from doing so."

There. As clear as I could make it.
And seriously—please don’t actually storm the palace. I’m begging you.

"…Hmm."

Maor crossed his arms and seemed to ponder that.

While he was thinking, I seized the chance to ask something that had been nagging at me.

"By the way, Lord Maor, those ‘informants’ who told you about Princess Sonia—what kind of people are they?"

Adjusting my glasses with a practiced motion, I asked as casually as I could. Time to find out exactly who had sold me out to the Demon King.

"Hmph. Even if I told you their names, I doubt you’d know them…"

Despite that, he went ahead and listed a few.
Among them were the Chancellor—and Prince Sirlot of the Paptes Kingdom.

The Chancellor I’d expected. But… Sirlot? What on earth did he tell him?

"Prince Sirlot of the Paptes Kingdom, you mean?"

"Oh? So you know the man?"

"Yes. A little."

"I see. Well, he told me that the greatest pleasure a woman can feel comes from being tied up and delighted with whips and candle wax."

"…What?"

Sorry, I didn’t catch a single sane word of that.

"Well, I haven’t tried it myself yet, but he said he once tested it on one of his subordinates—and she enjoyed it greatly. Perhaps I should let one of my succu—no, one of my subordinates—try it next time."

Hold it. You definitely almost said “succubus” just now, didn’t you?

I shot him a look of pure disgust. Don’t you dare lump me in with succubi.

"…I see. So that’s where the misunderstanding began."

Great. Everyone around me is garbage.

It all makes sense now. Even if I managed to escape the disaster known as the Demon King, I was apparently fated to crash straight into another one—Prince Sirlot, that pervert.
And then, on top of that, to be mistaken for a succubus.

Poor, poor Princess Sonia.

To prevent such a multi-bad-ending future, I decided to take my first step toward fixing this mess.

"Lord Maor, if I may. You see, it’s not only women who enjoy being tied up."

"…What?"

"Men, too, all have a secret desire deep in their hearts—to be dominated, to be toyed with."

"Is that so?"

Maor tilted his head slightly.

I leaned forward, nodded vigorously, and pointed a finger straight at him.

"Indeed! So please, Lord Maor, you should tie up this Sirlot fellow yourself. Whip him, drip candle wax on him, and humiliate him thoroughly. He’ll act like he hates it at first, but trust me—he’ll become obedient soon enough. I guarantee it!"

I added, with a sinister little smile, that the Chancellor would probably enjoy the same treatment too.

Then, with a devilish grin, I made my counteroffer to the Demon King.

Those who curse others dig two graves.

Heh heh heh. Chancellor, Prince Sirlot—oh, you fools who tried to offer me up as the Demon King’s plaything…
Taste your own karma.