Chapter 25: Let’s Play with the Octopus

We wandered through Torte Central Market, snacking on grilled skewers, sandwiches, and sweets as we went. After checking out the fresh produce—meat, fish, fruits, and vegetables—we browsed other food-related goods like mead and wine. From there, we moved on to stores selling not only tableware such as plates and cups, but also stationery like fountain pens and paperweights, and even clothing shops.

Hmm? Come to think of it, this feels less like “touring the market” and more like “shopping together while having lunch.” Maybe… this is a mini-date?

Ah, but the shops we’ve been visiting all have a homely atmosphere—more like family shopping than something romantic between lovers.

"So, Lord Maor, have you found anything that catches your eye?"

"Hmm? Well… perhaps. (…Though, it seems that hasn’t arrived yet.)"

The Demon King murmured under his breath.

He glanced around, scanning the area as if searching for something.

Following his gaze from one stall to another, my eyes landed on the front display of a clothing store.

Inside the glass window was an outfit apparently trending in the royal capital—a white blouse paired with beige, fluffy skirt-pants, radiating the warmth of spring.

It was quite stylish. I couldn’t help but stare.

Next to it was a small, charming necklace. Its gem had a dark, milky hue that shimmered with rainbow colors under the light.

Probably a black opal, or something similar.

The outfit itself was one thing, but the gem—especially compared to the polished turquoise bracelet beside it—was far more expensive.

As in, an entire digit higher.

I sighed. That would be hard to afford on my allowance.

"What is it, Ains? Are you interested in that piece of junk?"

"‘Piece of junk’? Isn’t that a bit rude?"

"Hmm… you think so?"

The Demon King tilted his head thoughtfully.

"Magically, it has no value whatsoever… Hmm. Very well, Ains. I’ll buy that outfit and the stone for you."

"Eh? Wait—what? Why?"

His sudden declaration caught me completely off guard.

"You were staring quite intently at those, weren’t you? You want them, right? (…Besides, it might prove useful for enchantments.)"

I couldn’t catch his muttering at the end, but it seemed he truly intended to buy them for me.

Honestly… I was happy.

"Um, but those are quite expensive—are you sure?"

"It’s fine. Such things are trivial."

"Th-thank you very much."

Feeling embarrassed, I lowered my head and whispered my thanks softly.

For some reason, I couldn’t bring myself to wear my usual practiced smile.

A faint guilt lingered—but I decided to just accept it graciously, as part of my “escort’s fee” for accompanying him on this inspection.

"Wait here for a moment."

Leaving me outside, the Demon King stepped into the store.

A short while later, he returned with a paper bag in hand.

"Here, Ains. Carry it yourself."

Inside the bag were the spring outfit and the black opal necklace.

"Th-thank you…"

I took the bag carefully with both hands, answering in a small, shy voice.

The market was neatly divided by street, with each district packed full of shops. Every store seemed to have its own specialty, and if you looked closely, you could find rare treasures everywhere.

Oh, those porcelain cups and saucers—they have such lovely colors.

Ah, there’s even a swimsuit specialty shop over there. Though… for a medieval European setting, aren’t those designs a little too revealing?

As I looked around, taking in the sights—

"Hmm?"

The Demon King, walking beside me, suddenly stopped.

I halted as well, following his lead.

He furrowed his brow, scanning the surroundings sharply.

"Ains. Hold on tight. Don’t bite your tongue."

"Eh? Wha—wait, what?!"

Before I could finish, the Demon King scooped me up into his arms and sprinted forward at unbelievable speed.

There’s no way a normal human could move this fast!

Hey—aren’t you supposed to be the third son of a count!?

Still…

"Ah—hey! W-wait!"

This is… a little embarrassing!

"Why are you carrying me princess-style!?"

Ughhh, please stop the princess carry!

I couldn’t help shouting.

"It’s fine. Your weight doesn’t bother me in the slightest."

That’s… not the point!

But with all the jolting as he ran, I really might bite my tongue if I talked more, so I stayed quiet.

When I glanced to the side, his face was right there—close enough to feel his breath.

Wow, he really is handsome.

Then, I noticed something strange behind him.

Something large—very large—was rushing toward us from down the street.

What is that…?

Wait. Is that… a giant octopus!?

From around its mouth sprouted countless writhing tentacles, and it was charging toward us on two legs at full speed.

An utterly indescribable sight.

If this weren’t a fantasy world, I’d probably need to make a Sanity Check right about now.

"Ma-Maor-samaaa! B-behind usss!"

The rampaging giant octopus-man—estimated at twenty meters tall—was barreling toward us, flailing its limbs wildly.

It mowed down bystanders like bowling pins, yet for some reason, it was heading straight for us.

"Wh-why!? Why is there an octopus!?"

As I screamed, Maor calmly responded.

"Sorry for startling you, Ains."

"Huh?"

"That thing was originally one of the food ingredients my subordinates brought here to sell at the market."

"F-food ingredient!?"

I’d really like to sit him down for a solid hour and ask how on earth something like that is supposed to be edible!

"However, due to a mistake, it seems they brought it here alive."

"That’s… beyond ridiculous!"

At this point, Maor-sama can apparently do anything.

"I’d also intended to research how well my supplied goods were selling in this market, but… perhaps that’ll have to wait for another time."

Even while sprinting at absurd speed, Maor nodded thoughtfully, as if this were all a minor inconvenience.

"Wait—what!? Why are you trying to sell a myth-level monster at a market!?"

If someone actually ate that meat, wouldn’t they end up with an octopus face or turn immortal or something? That’s honestly terrifying.

"I’ve heard there’s such a thing as dragon steak, though I’ve never tried it. My old man gets furious whenever I bring it up."

He shook his head with a sigh, as if lamenting his father’s overreaction.

No, no—that’s not the problem here!

"J-just do something about it already!"

At this rate, Torte Market is going to be wiped off the map!

"Hmm, is that so. Then hold still for a moment."

"Fwah!"

Before I could react, Maor suddenly spun around, dropped me onto the ground (not gently, mind you), and pulled out several glittering gemstones that clinked together in his hand.

"…My arm is one and infinite, the ruler of all space and time. Answer my call, flames of the inferno between Heaven and Hell. Manifest, and return dust to dust, ash to ash!"

After reciting the incantation, Maor extended his hand toward the giant octopus.

"Eternal Purgatory!"

The moment the words left his mouth, the octopus’s midsection began to glow—

—and in the next instant, silence fell. Then came a deafening BOOOOM, and the creature exploded into a storm of flesh and ichor.

Chunks of what used to be the octopus rained down across the area.

When I looked up, I saw Maor standing near the blast center, completely unscathed—probably protected by some kind of magical barrier.

"Ah… Ains."

As he approached, Maor looked down at me with an expression that could only be described as pitying.

"We’ll have to do something about that outfit."

He frowned slightly.

For reference, I currently looked like I’d had an entire bucket of sticky, white octopus goo dumped over my head.

My whole body was drenched in the stuff. Fortunately, it didn’t smell—but visually? A total disaster.

"Uuugh…"

There’s no way I can go back to the royal palace like this.

I just stared blankly at the droplets of octopus fluid dripping from my hands to the ground… feeling like I was about to cry.