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

44: Surveillance Officer Cecil Christof

───The Dwarf country, ‘Tangmarin,’ is located in the northwest of the continent. If I had to highlight this country’s characteristics, I’d say it’s magic tools and liquor.

Most magic tools used throughout the continent are produced in this country. The dwarves are a race with an insatiable desire for improvement, constantly researching and developing higher-performance magic tools. Therefore,

“I’m telling you, it’s not good enough!”

“I’m sorry, but I think this design won’t sell!”

“It’s not you who decides! It’s me!”

“But, Master! This design of magic tools isn’t selling at all!”

The master’s characteristic was being overly fussy. He was passionate about making magic tools, and his angry roar echoed everywhere. This tendency was particularly strong in the commercial district.

Did he have pride as a craftsman?

───Currently, we were staying in the royal capital of Tangamarin, ‘Korejana’. We were there to create a prosthetic hand for Tra, who lost his right arm in the battle against Klovikus.

After resolving the issue with Klovikus and the Four Heavenly Kings, including Silvy, we received a reward from ‘Krematras’. With that, we had the necessary funds to create the prosthetic hand and cover our expenses during our stay in the royal capital.

“Well, this is a problem. There are too many shops handling magic tools, and I don’t know which one to entrust with the task.”

“Why didn’t you investigate beforehand and come to this place? It’s meaningless without Tra, who needs the prosthetic hand.”

What I was currently struggling with was deciding which shop to entrust with creating Tra’s prosthetic hand, and another issue was that Tra had gone missing.

No, we were together until we left the inn, but he got lost in the crowd on the main street.

We decided to search for shops on our own, but there were more shops than we imagined. We knew that magic tool production was thriving, but not to this extent. My thinking was too naive.

───The last problem I was facing.

“That’s right, we should have investigated before coming. You’re right, Sesil.”

“You’re the fiancé of my sister, so please be more reliable. I know you’re an ordinary person, but please try your best as one.”

The elf, Sesil Kristof, was looking at me with a sharp gaze from beside me. I thought it was obvious from the family name that he was Noel’s family member.

His golden hair reached his waist, and he took good care of it, making it look smooth and beautiful. The flower-shaped hair ornament suited him well. He had the same blue eyes as Noel, but Sesil’s were slightly more almond-shaped. He gave off a gentle impression, but his words were quite sharp.

He was wearing a white one-piece dress, which gave off a clean impression. He was 15 years old, five years younger than Noel.

At first glance, he was an elf beauty.

The problem was that Sesil’s gender was male. Why was he wearing women’s clothing? It would be rude to ask.

Now, why was Noel’s brother, Sesil, with me? I’ll explain.

After the ‘Red Dragon’ Drake killed the Pope, Noel, who was next in line for the position of High Priest, was summoned to ‘Holy Land Eden’.

During that time, Noel, who was an important recovery role player in our party, would be absent. Since there were concerns about what would happen if monsters or demons attacked Tangamarin while we were staying there without a recovery role player, Noel brought a priest to our party.

That priest was Sesil, Noel’s brother. In short, he was a substitute priest during Noel’s absence. He was 15 years old and already held the position of ‘Bishop’. What an incredible family.

Sesil also received a summons, but Noel and his father forced him to join our party. Officially, it was to fill the gap left by the brave party’s withdrawal.

───The real purpose was to keep an eye on me. Noel, who had already been monitoring my movements through eavesdropping, was worried that other women might approach me if we were physically apart.

As a result, Sesil was chosen as the monitor. Since he was the same sex as me, he could stay in the same room, allowing him to physically prevent me from doing anything.

I had been with him until we left Krematras, but it seemed I couldn’t relax even then. What a troublesome fiancé I had. Since I had already made mistakes, there was nothing I could do about it.

“Shall we return to the inn? Maybe Tra is waiting for us there.”

Just as I was about to call out to Sesil and head back to the inn, I heard a voice calling out to me. When I turned around, Sesil was blushing and holding onto my sleeve.

“Please hold my hand.”

Sesil, with his reddened face, grasped my hand. This kid was a boy, but he was giving me a strange feeling. I thought to myself, Sesil is a boy, and he’ll be my future brother-in-law. What a deep-rooted species.

From the time we left Krematras until we arrived in Tangamarin, Sesil stuck to me like glue. I thought it was because of his monitoring duties, but it was a bit too much.

After arriving in Tangamarin, we took a three-day break, during which Sesil was always by my side. He was fulfilling his duty as a monitor, it seemed.

As a result, opportunities to converse with him increased. Since I had spent a lot of time with Noel, I was used to his occasional insults and abusive language. I was also accustomed to the strong sense of superiority among the elves, so I interacted with him normally. Before I knew it, I had grown fond of him.

When I asked Durandal about it, he laughed and said that elves were a foolish species, so it was inevitable.

───The elves, who had a strong sense of superiority and looked down on other species, were extremely disliked. While there were minimum connections due to diplomatic interactions, individuals who liked them were rare.

It wasn’t just limited to other species; they even looked down on their own kind. Did they want to be immersed in a sense of superiority?

That’s why elves, who were not used to being treated kindly by those outside their family, would easily open up their hearts when treated with kindness. Durandal was laughing, saying they were a foolish species.

However, their pride remained unchanged. Once they opened their hearts, they would become deeply attached to that person. When I heard that, I remembered Noel’s face from when I helped him in his childhood. Ah…so that’s how it was.

It seemed they wanted to be the number one person in the heart of the one they opened up to.

Many humans who have been toyed with by an elf’s heart have been stabbed, so it’s better to be careful. That’s what I was warned about.

It was the elf princess who stabbed Takeshi-san, and Noel almost exploded once. I should be careful. I really should be careful.

“Shall we go?”

“Yes.”

When I look at Cecil, who is smiling and looking carefree, I can’t help but wonder if he’s really a guy. This might not be a good idea, considering the other party is a guy and Noel’s younger brother. Is it okay? I’m starting to get uneasy.

“Cecil, can I ask you something?”

“Yes, what is it, brother?”

As we walk towards the inn, I decide to confirm something just in case.

“Sorry, Cecil, but you’re a guy, right?”

“Yes, I’m a guy. What’s wrong? You’re suddenly asking this.”

“No, it’s just that you’re so beautiful, I thought you were a girl.”

“Do you think I’m cute?”

“Yeah, I do… but…”

Duralandal, who is wearing a sword, seems to be trembling. Is it trying to tell me something? It looks like it’s angry, but…

“Brother, you’re cool too!”

“Is that so? Thanks.”

Duralandal still seems to be trembling. Did I do something wrong? Did I step on some kind of landmine?

I’m getting uneasy, but when I look at Cecil, he’s smiling and looking happy. It seems okay.

Let’s head to the inn for now.

───By the way, I’ll be sleeping in the same room as Cecil for a while. I should be careful not to get any weird ideas.

Duralandal is still trembling.