Chapter 43: Cleaning Up the Mess

"Ah, it’s so hot..."

I fan the front of my blouse, waving the fabric in a futile attempt to draw in some air. Anything to feel even a trace of coolness.

"Ains."

The Demon Lord sitting across from me calls my name.

"Yes?"

"…Well, how should I put it—perhaps you should stop fanning your chest like that."

I’ve just been scolded by the Demon Lord.

"Really? You think so?"

I glance down the front of my blouse. I mean, I’m wearing proper underwear, so it’s not like anything’s showing. Yeah. Totally fine.

"It’s… unseemly for a lady."

"…Ah. Well, I suppose you’re right about that."

He does have a point.

"But it’s hot."

"I see."

"It really is."

Today I came to the Shirasagi Inn dressed rather lightly—it couldn’t be helped. The heat is unbearable.

If my maid, Kamina, saw me like this, she’d lecture me for hours. Fortunately, she’s out running errands today. So it’s fine. Completely fine.

…Still, lately I’ve been imitating Princess Sonia so much that I think her personality is starting to rub off on me. I should be careful—if I’m not, my own sense of self might start to blur.

Actually, now that I think about it, my old memories have been fading lately. It’s getting harder to recall things from before—like they’re slipping away little by little.

Maybe it’s some kind of pressure from this world itself, pushing me to conform to its rules.

Because of that, I’ve started spending my nights writing down everything I can remember—memories, knowledge, anything I might lose. It’s exhausting, but it’s the only defense I have.

Of course, if anyone ever read those notes, it would be a disaster. I didn’t sign them, but my handwriting would give me away instantly. Ugh.

The best I can do is keep them locked in a safe. Maybe I should write them in code, but honestly, that sounds like too much effort.

"Ains, kiddo, you look tired. Here, have this on the house."

"Oh, thank you!"

Apparently I must’ve looked worse than I thought. The innkeeper, a kind man everyone just calls “the master,” hands me a glass of chilled lemon water with honey—free of charge.

Gulp, gulp… Ahh. I feel alive again. The crisp sweetness and coldness soak through me, chasing away the heat.

…

I sense a stare. Looking up, I find the Demon Lord gazing at me—or rather, at the glass in my hands—while pretending to read the newspaper. (They have printing presses now, somehow. Don’t ask me how—fantasy world logic.)

But it’s obvious where his eyes are fixed.

"You can’t have any."

I clutch the glass protectively with both hands and take another long sip.

"…Mmm."

The Demon Lord lets out a quiet groan. Nope, not sharing. This is mine.

We sit in silence for a while.

"Um…"

I finally decide to speak again. The Demon Lord munches roasted beans and sips his now-lukewarm ale, still half-buried in his paper. He looks completely like some laid-back tavern regular.

Still, because he’s so striking, the whole image somehow turns picturesque—like a brooding poet or a scholar lost in thought. I’m a little jealous.

"What is it?"

"About those masked men who attacked us the other day—what happened to them?"

I’ve been wondering about that. They were defeated so easily by the Demon Lord—just like in the game. He really is overwhelmingly strong. Unbeatable, unless the story demands otherwise.

If I remember right, there was a route in the game where Princess Sonia actually managed to land a hit on him… what was it again…?

"Hmm? Oh, those guys?"

His voice pulls me back.

"Yes. I was just curious what became of them afterward."

After Kamina tied them up so neatly, I left the rest to the Demon Lord—and to Zex, who happened to show up later. They were clearly more capable of handling it than I was.

It’s not like I’d have been much help anyway. I’m just an ordinary person with no real talents.

"Right," the Demon Lord says, pausing to think.

"I replaced their memories with false ones—made them believe they succeeded in eliminating their targets."

"False memories…?"

"Yes. And I erased any detailed information they had about us while I was at it."

He says it casually, like it’s the most ordinary thing in the world, before returning his attention to the newspaper.

Uh. That’s it? That’s all the explanation I get?

"But… how could you even do something like that? Rewriting people’s memories, I mean?"

I can’t help asking, though I’m pretty sure the answer involves magic.

"Hm? How? Simple enough. I used hypnosis. It’s a basic technique—anyone could do it."

He says this with complete seriousness.

Eh—really? Are you sure about that?

Even as I stare at him in disbelief, the Demon Lord remains composed and nods with solemn confidence.

"Well, I will at least concede that a certain amount of experience is required."

"…I see, my lord."

Alright then. I’ll just drop it. If I dig too deep into that, I’ll probably regret it.

Okay. Focus.

I sit up straighter and turn to face the Demon Lord again.

"By the way, Maor, about my overseas assignment…"

"Mm. I’ll be going too."

So that’s already decided, huh? Well, fine. In that case…

"If you don’t mind… how about traveling together?"

There’s no stopping him from going abroad now. If that’s the case, I’d at least prefer to keep him within reach.

I meet his gaze, waiting for an answer.

"Hmm…"

Maor closes his eyes, resting a hand on his chin as if in deep thought.

Eh? Is that really something you need to think that hard about?

"If you’re going to beg that much, very well. I’ll allow you to accompany me on my travels."

With a single nod, he accepts my proposal—from above, naturally.

Wait a second. The way he phrased that, it sounds like I’m tagging along with him.

Well… I guess I’ll sort that out later.

"…Just to confirm, you won’t be entering the venue itself, right, Maor?"

This time, the meeting will take place in the cathedral of the royal capital of the neighboring Liner Kingdom.

Attendants can accompany their masters as far as the city, but inside the cathedral—the actual venue—only a limited number of people are permitted: royals, VIPs, their aides, and a handful of guards.

Under no circumstances could Princess Sonia bring the Demon Lord into the cathedral with her.

"Hm, is that so? I see. Well, we’ll figure something out."

What do you mean, figure something out? There’s no way you actually can, right?

"W-Well, understood. Also, um… I’ll have to stay close to Lady Sonia at all times, so I was hoping you could accompany us as one of the guards, Maor."

From the way he’d been talking earlier, it sounded like I’d be traveling as part of the Demon Lord’s group—but to avoid any political mess, I’d much rather he joined ours instead.

I’d already reserved a spot among the guards for him. The plan was for him to enter the Liner Kingdom quietly and inconspicuously, under the guise of an escort.

"Hmm. That sounds troublesome… Ah, but I do know a rather capable fellow who could handle that sort of thing. I’ll have him take care of it. That way, Ains, you’ll be able to travel with me."

"Eh!? Th-There’s actually someone who can pull that off?"

"Indeed. One moment…"

The Demon Lord mutters something softly under his breath.

Then—

"…Alright. You may come out now."

In the next instant, a figure silently appears beside our table, as if materializing from thin air.

"You called for me, my lord? Oh my, and here I see…"

"What!? B–Berial!"

Out of nowhere stands a boy in a butler’s uniform—the Great Demon Berial.

Where did he even come from? …Well, whatever.

"…Lady Ains, if I may confirm, that is correct, yes?"

Berial fixes his gaze directly on me, then flashes a sly grin.

"…Eh! Ah, y-yeah."

"So, you two know each other?" the Demon Lord asks, tilting his head. "Well, no matter. Berial, I have a request for you."

"I already understand. You wish for me to arrange things so that Lady Ains may accompany Lord Maor, correct?"

"Oh? You catch on quick. I’d like you to use that famous hypnosis of yours to make it happen."

"A simple task, my lord."

Berial bows deeply, his movements elegant and precise.

Ah—so that’s one mystery solved.

So it was Berial who helped the Demon Lord manipulate the paladins’ memories. That makes sense now.

He turns smoothly on his heel and faces me, lowering his head respectfully.

"…Do I have your permission, my true master?"

He’s asking for my consent.
If I refuse, Berial will probably reject the Demon Lord’s command, even if it came from him.
But if I do that, there’s no guarantee the Demon Lord will still come with me.

In that case…

"Then please, go ahead."

"As you wish."

He bows once more—and vanishes in an instant.

Was that really okay? Just disappearing like that, right in front of us?

I turn toward the Demon Lord.

"…Well, that takes care of everything!"

He says it with absolute confidence—clearly without thinking any of it through.

"No one’s here, right?"

I quietly slip back into my room in the royal palace.
The bookmark I’d wedged into the doorframe is still there—good. No one’s been inside.

Heh. Even spies and master detectives would be impressed by my technique.
Now I just need to change into my dress before anyone notices—

"Welcome back, Lady Sonia."

"Eek! …Ah… ahaha… I-I’m home! …Sort of."

Kamina stands just outside the door. I hadn’t sensed her presence at all.

"Sigh… While I do believe Lord Zexais keeps a close watch over you, Princess, please try not to overdo it."

"Guh! Ah—y-yeah, don’t worry! I’m totally fine! Haha…"

Cold sweat breaks out all over me, but I force a smile.
Smile. Smile. Keep smiling.

"…On another note, Princess."

Kamina’s lips curve into a polite smile—but her eyes don’t match.

"I believe we need to have a brief discussion about your current attire."

"Ah… yes, ma’am…"

And so, I spend the next two hours kneeling properly on the floor while Kamina delivers an unending lecture.

I face it with a heart as calm as still water.