Black Demon King

546 Between Love and Lust

“E-excuse me…”

Nell quietly made her way inside. For some reason, even though she should’ve been to that dormitory many times, Nell seemed out of place.

Accompanied by Nell, who was unusually docile, I went to the lounge.

“Welcome back, Master. Do we have a guest?”

Despite the fact that I barely walked outside, Sariel respectfully greeted me without giving me any suspicious looks like, ‘What is it? Did you forget something?’

…Well, since there was a stranger dressed like an angel next to me, she probably could tell right away that there was a guest.

“She’s a guest, or rather, a friend of mine.”

“U-uhm, Kurono, who is she…?”

Come to think of it, they’d never seen each other before. However, I was still somewhat reluctant to disclose Sariel’s true identity because it was going to be a long story.

“She’s Sariel. Uh, due to various things, she ended up working as a maid at my house.”

“Nice to meet you, I’m Sariel.”

“…Nice to meet you, my name is Nell Julius Elrod.”

Although their introduction was somewhat curt, it should suffice for now. To begin with, Sariel was a slave, while Nell was a princess. The two of them occupied the lowest and the highest ranks in this world. I was sure that telling them to get along would be problematic in many ways.

“Nell is a princess, so please be careful not to offend her.”

“Understood. But Master, isn’t she a shrine maiden?”

Just like me, Sariel, who had Shirasaki’s knowledge, concluded that Nell was a shrine maiden at a glance.

I mean, how could she NOT be a shrine maiden?

“No, I don’t think that’s the case.”

Nell’s class was a Priest.

“Then, is it correct to assume that she isn’t a shrine maiden princess, but a princess who dresses like a shrine maiden?”

“I guess you can call it cosplay…”

I don’t think Nell has such a hobby, though. Or rather, is cosplay even a thing in this world?

“In short, she’s a shrine maiden and a princess, but not the shrine maiden princess?”

Although Nell was the princess of Avalon, she wasn’t the daughter of the archpriest in the Pandora Temple, therefore she didn’t have the title of shrine maiden princess.

She was a princess and a shrine maiden, yet not a shrine maiden princess.

Somehow, Nell’s true identity was becoming more and more suspicious. Which are you, Nell? A princess? A shrine maiden?

“…Nell, care to explain?”

“Eh!? Ah, uhm… Recently, I switched my class to [Battle Priest]…”

“I see now! Okay, got it. So Sariel, that’s how it is.”

“Yes, Master.”

After all the mysteries were solved, I felt somewhat refreshed and asked Sariel for coffee instead of tea.

“Uhm, Kurono… Sariel is a bit unusual, isn’t she?”

I could see why Nell would have such an impression after that bizarre, robotic exchange.

Well, it’s not something I can hide. Besides, there’s no point.

“Don’t think about it. She’s just that kind of person.”

“I see… You seem very close with her.”

“I’m not sure, to be honest.”

I’m really not confident.

Still, there was no need to tell Nell about the dark circumstances between me and Sariel. If possible, I wanted my friendship with Nell to remain the same as before. If Nell knew about the series of circumstances, she might despise me. Just like Lily.

“For now, please sit down.”

For a while now, I’d been standing in the middle of the lounge like an idiot, so I moved to my seat right away.

“Ah, uhm, Kurono… If you don’t mind, I want to go to your room…”

Nell’s cheeks were flushed as she squeezed those words out. I didn’t expect that either. If I was your run-of-the-mill high school boy, I’d have been ecstatic. ‘Yay! Is that an invitation!?’

…But come to think of it, Lily forbade me from welcoming Nell into my room.

When I asked Nell to teach me the modern magic technology, she brought it up. I wonder if she had some kind of pressing matter in my room.

However, it’d been a long time since we last met. Above all, Sariel, the maid, was wandering around the lounge as if declaring her territory. I was also in the middle of cleaning the place.

Certainly, it wasn’t a very suitable environment for talking with friends.

“I see, then let’s go.”

“Yay! Thank you, Kurono!”

Seeing Nell’s bright smile warmed my heart.

“Hehe, it’s been a while since I last went to Kurono’s room.”

Nell, smiling cheerfully, plopped down on the bed. The same place where she always sat when we first met. A single, white feather fell on the sheets, and I felt a tinge of nostalgia.

…For some reason, Lily was quite adamant on getting this large bed.

“That’s right. It’s been a while.”

All right, where should I start?

“Oh, didn’t you mention that you switched class? What brings about this change?”

I decided to start with the most obvious topic.

“Uhm, I was dealing with a lot of things at the time… But as I thought, it doesn’t suit me, does it?”

“No, it suits you greatly.”

I wasn’t even kidding. There was no way the shrine maiden outfit wouldn’t look good on such a black-haired beauty. If it didn’t look good on her, then on who? Shirasaki?

“R-really…?”

Nell, the epitome of an ideal princess, was acting all bashful over a single praise. How charming it was. Apparently, her natural ability to sway men’s feelings was still alive and kicking. What a terrifying yet unique skill.

“I mean it. The shrine maiden outfit aside, you also changed your hairstyle, giving you a different vibe. You’re a little more dignified now, but still cute. This may sound cliché, but you’ve become prettier.”

“Hehe, I see… I’m glad. I’m really glad to hear that from you, Kurono!”

Is this the so-called bewitching smile?

If not for the charm resistance that I’d cultivated after living with Lily for so long, I might’ve lost all reason. A beautiful, cute, and attractive girl on my bed. That alone was more than enough to drive a man crazy.

“But is that okay? If you switch your class, your role within the party will probably change as well.”

“Yes, that’s right, From now on, I’ll also play the role of vanguard.”

“What, a vanguard!?”

A vanguard, Nell. In other words, she’d be in a reckless position where she’d rush into the enemy line from the front row, just like me.

Judging from her shrine maiden outfit, I honestly thought that [Battle Priest] was some sort of healer subclass, but…  I see, the shrine maiden in this world was a superior class of martial artist.

“Hehe, don’t worry. I’ve been practicing in the dungeon properly.”

That’s right, Nell is a Rank 5 adventurer…

Even if she was still a priest, she should be able to deal with monsters up to rank 3 as a vanguard. However, when faced against an opponent of the same rank, would she really be able to put up a fight as a vanguard?

Hmm, judging solely based on her appearance, I’d say no, but…

Above all, on top of her appearance, I also knew how kind she was. She was the most harmless person I knew.

“I see… But please don’t be too reckless.”

“Like I said, don’t worry at all! Ah, well, why don’t we go on a quest together next time? I want to show Kurono how strong I’ve become to reassure you!”

“Oh, that’s nice, but would Winglord welcome the idea?”

“We’re currently disbanding. Besides, my brother is in Avalon, so don’t say a word to him, okay?”

The destructive power behind Nell’s mischievous smile was out of this world. Again, if not for my charm resistance, I’d have been a goner.

I’m starting to think that’s my strongest trait…

“At any rate, even though we haven’t seen each other for about three months, Nell has changed a lot. You’ve grown… How do I say this, you are amazing.”

Although I’d just acquired the Fifth Divine Protection, I didn’t think I was able to achieve anything that could be called growth.

I failed to protect Reki. If Sariel didn’t obtain the divine protection of Dark Knight Freesia, I wouldn’t have been able to defeat Gluttony Octo. There was also the fact that Fiona and Lily came to my rescue at the last minute. I hadn’t achieved anything with my own power. Still, if not for them, I’d have lost, so I was grateful for their help.

“You’re really amazing.”

“No, I didn’t do anything… I just trained a little.”

“Huh? Training? What kind of things did you do?”

“Hehehe, are you curious? Well then, since it’s Kurono, I’ll let you in on a certain secret of mine…”

Before I knew it, I was so immersed in the conversation and forgot about the time.

Apparently, Nell trained under a high priestess who was also a master of ancient jujutsu. Until recently, she’d been delving into the famous Rank 5 [Divine Realm Avalon]. Then, she told me about the upcoming knight selection in the Imperial Academy of Avalon, where she was enrolled.

There were so many things I was curious about, things I wanted to ask, and things I wanted to talk about.

Time passed quickly, and we ended up having a fun lunch time. Sariel’s authentic, otherworldly cuisine was a great surprise for us. Afterwards, we went back to my room and chatted endlessly.

This time, I should talk about myself too.

“Oh, right. I should probably return this to you.”

Back then, I made a promise. It was one-sided, but I swore that I’d return the Aria Guard Feather that Nell had lent me.

“Eh, there’s no need! I want Kurono to have it…”

“It’s originally yours, right? In that case, I have to absolutely give it back. I’ve been intending to do so ever since I got home. So, please accept it.”

“If you went as far as to say that…”

Bashfully, Nell accepted the pure white feather. Now, I’ve returned what I borrowed.

After completing such a peaceful return ceremony, I began to speak. Let’s start with the beginning of the Galahad War. The beginning of the battle, along with the aftermath.

“…And that’s how I got caught up in the teleportation with Sariel.”

I’d revealed Sariel’s true identity to Nell. Anyone with a relation to the guild would be able to figure it out with a little research, anyway. So, I told her that Sariel, who was currently enslaved by me, used to be the general of the Crusaders.

I hid the vital information from her—about how I deprived Sariel of the Apostle’s protection.

“Life in the pioneer village was so peaceful and relaxing, I felt foolish for being so cautious.”

Reki, Ursula, Ryan, and Major Randolph. I already felt nostalgic for my life with everyone in the village.

Although I didn’t regret returning to Sparda, I regretted having lived in the pioneer village.

Perhaps because that was the kind of life I desired from the bottom of my heart.

“—Then, when I was about to leave the village and return to Sparda… An extremely formidable monster appeared.”

I couldn’t outright say that it was the Fifth Trial, but I filled her in on my excruciating battle against the embodiment of gluttony. About the irreversible mistake I made.

“…Because of me, Reki died.”

“Kurono, please don’t be so hard on yourself. In battle, you can’t always have the best outcome. Sometimes, casualties can’t be avoided and are inevitable.”

Nell’s kind words of consolation lifted my spirits. But I guess I was just being spoiled. I still hadn’t done anything to absolve myself.

On the contrary, instead of returning to Ursula, I headed straight for Sparda. Since Gluttony Octo was taken care of, she should be safe… Still, I wished that I could stay just a bit longer. At the very least until I could dig a grave for Reki and bury her there.

“—Finally, I arrived in Sparda.”

By the time I finished recounting my tales, the sky outside the window was dyed orange. We’d talked for quite some time.

“Kurono, why did Lily leave?”

Nell’s sudden question made me pause.

Of course, I’d told her that Fiona and Lily rushed to Alsace at the last minute and rescued me. Then, I told her that we safely returned to Sparda—

—But I never told her about the reason why Lily left.

“L-Lily…”

‘She’s going to be back in a bit.’

I couldn’t even lie. I had an inkling Nell asked that because she knew.

“I’m sorry, Kurono… I already know.”

“…How much do you know?”

“Everything. The sin you committed. The pain you endured because of it… After listening to your story, I understand how much you’re suffering… Because, Kurono, you look so sad.”

Haha, I’m so pathetic, it even shows on my face. Just how much did I want to be comforted?

I was so embarrassed, I was about to die of self-loathing. Perhaps, it was because I was acutely aware of Nell’s kindness… Damn, damn it, that’s not it—

But, in reality, that may very well be what I was hoping for, even if unconsciously.

I can’t even deny it.

“How?”

“I chanced upon Fiona at the academy’s main gate.”

“I see, so it’s Fiona…”

“Please don’t blame her. I was the one who asked.”

There was no way I could blame Fiona. If I did that, I could no longer call myself a man.

“I see… Fiona probably thought that it’d be best if you know… Then that’s fine. She did the right thing.”

“I’m truly sorry, but please believe me. I didn’t inquire about the situation out of curiosity, but more so because I want to help Kurono. You’re hurting… I hope I can alleviate your pain, even if just a little…”

I know, I pretty much expected that. Of course Nell would come to such a conclusion. She was a really nice person. Nell was so kind that I felt so pathetic. Being comforted by her made me want to die.

“Thank you, Nell. Your thoughts are enough for me. I don’t think you can forgive me, but thank you for trying.”

“No, Kurono… It’s not enough. My thoughts alone aren’t enough.”

As Nell slowly stood up, the creaking of the bed reverberated at the back of my mind.

“I-I want to comfort both Kurono’s heart and body…”