It Seems That the Demon King Is Among the Members of the Hero’s Party

23. Dar’s Confession

I finally arrived at the inn.

To be honest, I had drunk too much and felt a bit queasy. But it wasn’t as bad as last time. Maybe it was because I had ordered some side dishes to go with my wine.

In the end, I had to keep Sasha company until she was satisfied, and it got really late.

When I entered the inn, the owner wasn’t at the reception desk. At this hour, they must be serving food to the guests. If I called out, they would come, but I was already full.

Mostly from the wine, though…

As I headed towards my room, I saw a person lurking around in front of my door. Who was it? They must have business with me.

In the moonlight, I caught a glimpse of their red hair.

“Dar?”

When I called out, the person’s body jerked.

“Kail?”

The figure approached me hesitantly, and I recognized their voice. It was Dar.

As she drew closer, I could see her face. She didn’t look like she was trying to escape. But I could sense that she was tense about something.

How long had she been waiting here? If I had kept her waiting, I would apologize.

“Were you waiting for me?”

“Uh-huh.”

Dar nodded, but she didn’t seem like her usual self. She didn’t look depressed, but she seemed anxious about something. I should hear her out first.

“Shall we go inside? You must have something to talk about, right?”

“Uh-huh.”

She didn’t seem like herself. Something must have happened. Whatever it was, I wouldn’t know unless I listened.

I opened the door and entered the room. The moonlight faintly illuminated the room, just like the corridor.

Unfortunately, there were no light switches like in my previous life that could turn on the lights with just one click. Although I had gotten used to it, I sometimes felt it was inconvenient.

There were, however, lighting devices in this world, created by the Dwarf technicians. They were called magical tools.

These magical tools, which used special ore called magic stones unique to this world, could produce various effects when imbued with magic power. They were like home appliances.

There were also magical weapons that could be used in battle, but magical tools were more widely used.

This inn also used magical tools, and there was a lighting tool on the desk.

When I looked at it, I saw a macho-looking figurine with its arms raised in a Y shape. It was about 15 cm tall.

I didn’t really want to touch it, but when I did and imbued it with magic power, it made a clicking sound like a switch being turned on, and the room brightened up.

The macho figurine was glowing. This magical tool was illuminating the room.

“No matter how many times I see it, it’s still unsettling.”

“I agree with that.”

It’s a gaze that’s like looking at trash. However, I can’t deny that sensitivity. I also think it’s unsettling.

Let me clarify that not all magical tools for lighting are in this shape. Most of them are like lamps from previous lives.

There are even stylish stands with attached decorations.

Dwarf craftsmen tend to dislike creating the same thing. To be precise, they don’t want to make something identical to what humans create.

In a broad sense, they do create magical tools for lighting, but they stubbornly refuse to create identical shapes. It seems they want to give their creations individuality.

The result is this unsettling macho magical tool. The dwarf who created it also has bad taste, and so does the owner of the inn where I’m staying.

Many people use magical tools for lighting, so there are various designs circulating. I wonder why they chose this one.

I think the one in Daru’s room was a macho side chest. It’s unsettling.

No, thinking about this is pointless. It’s more important to talk to Daru.

I pulled out a chair and encouraged Daru to sit, and she did so straightforwardly. It’s unlike her!

She’s also hunched over in the chair. This isn’t the usual Daru, and I’m struggling to react.

I placed Durandal against the wall and sat facing Daru, and her body stiffened. It’s as if I’m in a job interview. What’s with this atmosphere…?

“So, you had something to say?”

“Uh-huh.”

Is she hesitant to talk? Is she anxious? Or is she scared?

It’s crucial to wait here. I’ll wait for Daru to speak up. It’s better to hear her out after she’s prepared herself.

30 seconds… or maybe a minute passed? The Daru sitting in front of me seemed to have made up her mind, nodded slightly, and opened her mouth.

“I have something to say to Kail!”

“What do you want to say to me?”

“Before that, I’m sorry!”

“Why are you apologizing?”

“I was too embarrassed to talk to you, Kail, and ran away!”

“That’s okay. I don’t mind.”

It seems that running away due to embarrassment doesn’t mean she dislikes me.

If she had told me she disliked me to my face, I would have been shocked. In that case, there’s a high possibility that something happened with Tor-san, but it’s not like that this time.

“Uh-huh. If Kail doesn’t mind, that’s good!”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

She seemed relieved and returned to her usual tone.

“And, I have something to say to Kail… that…”

She suddenly became flustered.

It seems like it’s difficult for her to say. I expected as much, but saying it out loud is quite bold. Daru looked at me with determination

“Do you know? I have feelings for Kail.”

Daru’s face turned red. Maybe mine is too.

“I want you to be my lifelong partner.”

It’s a direct confession, or rather, a proposal.

To be honest, it’s not what I expected. I thought she’d say something like “let’s date,” but she skipped several steps and proposed.

Is it not like Tor-san or Daru to get involved in romantic relationships?

Now, what should I say in response? Daru’s eyebrows, looking straight at me, are filled with concern.

It’s not good to keep someone waiting.

I don’t dislike Darl, rather, I have a favorable impression of him.

But I don’t intend to have a romantic partner for now. For Darl, it’s not a romantic partner, but a companion…

I think the current situation is not suitable for indulging in romantic feelings. The threat of the demon tribe is increasing, and the presence of the demon king among our allies is significant.

Even when thinking about my own future, I believe it’s after we’ve finished fighting the demon tribe. However, my friends don’t seem to think so. It appears that Toru, Darl, and Sasha have romantic feelings towards me. It’s flattering to have these beautiful women have feelings for me.

But it’s getting scary. I can’t honestly be happy about being popular. It feels like I’m waiting for a catastrophe.

I’m sorry, Darl, but I’ll have to decline. As of now, my thoughts haven’t changed.

“Darl, no, Darlphia”

“Hmm”

When I called her by her full name, Darlphia, she looked delighted.

It’s honestly hard to tell her this, but…

“I’m grateful for Darlphia’s feelings. However, I don’t have the luxury to think about my own future right now.

I want to focus on fighting the demon tribe. I apologize, but I can’t reciprocate Darlphia’s feelings.”

I’ve spoken my honest thoughts, but Darl remains silent. This silence is terrifying.

Will she get angry and stab me in the back?

It’s okay, right? No, it’s okay. Darl wouldn’t do such a thing!

I want to believe that.

“Don’t you dislike me?”

“Rather, I think I have favorable feelings towards you.”

“Is that so? Then it’s fine!”

Darl laughed in her usual tone, and I was taken aback by her appearance.

“When the demon tribe’s problem is resolved, will you think about me? Then let’s settle it quickly.”

“That’s right.”

“I want you to think seriously about it then. I want to spend my life with Kail.”

Darl’s face, which was usually calm, was now flushed red. This unusual appearance made me want to hug her, and it was adorable.

I suppressed it with reason. I shouldn’t do that.

“It’s embarrassing to be told directly, but it’s pleasant when Darlphia says it.

I apologize for keeping you waiting.”

“Hmm, it’s fine. I can wait for my husband’s sake.”

Why is she already treating me like her husband?

Should I retort? Saying it would be too embarrassing.

I’ll endure it. It’s not something I should say. I’ve already rejected Darl’s proposal, and it would be troublesome if she got angry. I don’t think she’ll get angry, but I don’t want to make her angry.

I still don’t want to get stabbed.

“Kail and I are meant to be, and that’s fine!”

I feel like I shouldn’t stop her, but her bright smile makes me speechless.

Here, I’m convinced.

───I think I’ll be stabbed by my friends due to romantic entanglements in the future. I pray that the demon king will be found before that.