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

66. Tiela and Tesla

I was currently writing a letter in my room at the inn. The time was already late at night, so I was using a magic tool to illuminate the room. The recipient of the letter was Noel.

It was a difficult thing to do, but I was writing the letter with an apologetic tone. I just wanted to apologize to Noel. It had been two days since I got involved with Eclair.

I had also gotten physically involved with Sasha. What could I say to Noel? If I were to make excuses, I’d say I was the one who was attacked. No, I didn’t resist strongly enough, so there was no point in making excuses.

I was technically the one who was attacked. My body hurt, and I told her to stop, but she didn’t listen.

It was probably that woman S. She was smiling slyly, looking at me. But it was her first time, and the gap between her actions and her usual self was really cute.

“……………”

───That’s right, I should cut off my partner below the belt. I think this partner of mine is the one causing all the trouble. If I cut it off, I won’t be able to do anything unfair to Noel.

Would it hurt? It didn’t feel like it would hurt. I thought about it, and then…

Should I stop? Or should I cut it off?

Following Éclair, Sasha also came along. This is bad, I think. As a man, it’s pleasant to be liked, but taking it too far is no good. I should hold my feelings back a bit more. Why couldn’t I refuse?

Noel’s face appears in my mind, and I feel guilty, like I’m about to cry. Even though Cecil treated me at the inn, and I shouldn’t be in pain, my chest hurts.

“Are you okay, Master?”

“Durandal, I need to talk to you about something.”

“What is it?”

“I’m thinking of cutting off my partner below the belt. What do you think, Durandal?”

“……Hahahaha!”

Durandal bursts into laughter. I’m having a serious conversation, so I want him to take it seriously. I think that if I didn’t have this partner, everything would be resolved. I should cut it off to prevent any further tragedy.

The conversation with Lisette-san flashes through my mind.

“Lisette-san, calm down!”

“Let go of me, Kaoru! You can’t forgive that man!”

“That’s going too far, wanting to cut off his partner!”

“Kaoru, remember. Even if you cut off the partner of the guy you cheated with, he’ll forgive you.”

“Who will forgive?! You’re so strong! Someone, help! Lisette-san is going crazy!!”

“Let go!”

───I should cut it off. I don’t need a partner that’s been cheated on. Lisette-san also said I should cut it off.

As always, her words are correct. Lisette-san always guides me. I won’t stray from the path.

“That’s the story. I’ve decided to cut it off. I’ll ask Durandal to assist me.”

“Absolutely not! Or rather, calm down, Master!”

“I’m sane.”

“A sane person wouldn’t say they’re sane! Take deep breaths and calm down! Yes, breathe deeply!”

I take deep breaths according to Durandal’s words, repeating it several times.

“Have you calmed down, Master?”

“I’m sorry. I was confused.”

“It’s true. Please don’t make me cut off your dirty partner, Master.”

My heart skips a beat. I wish he had chosen his words more carefully. No, it’s entirely my fault.

I was confused. That’s undeniable. I felt a bit guilty, and my heart has calmed down, so I’ll continue writing the letter to Noel.

Even if I were to cut it off, that’s not something I should do. I’ll ask Noel. If my fiancé Noel can’t forgive me, then I’m prepared.

It’s too dirty to write, so I stopped. I wrote a simple apology letter and ended it by saying I’m prepared.

I lean back in my chair. I don’t know why, but I’m extremely tired. It’s mainly my fault. Or rather, everything is my fault.

I want to change my mood. It’s a bit unpleasant to sleep like this. A book on the table catches my eye. Can I read it?

“You can’t, Master! You shouldn’t read that kind of book!”

“Sorry, Durandal. I think it’ll help me change my mood. Can I read it?”

“No way!”

When I pick up Maxwell’s book, “Tierra and Tesla: Love’s Rebellion,” the same protest as before erupts. I don’t know why, but it seems she doesn’t want me to read this book.

Last time, I gave in, but now I want to change my mood. And when someone tells me not to do something, it makes me curious.

I open the book.

“Master, please don’t read it. I’m begging you.”

Sorry, Durandal. I’m going to read it.

───The beginning of Tierra and Tesla’s relationship started with Tesla’s love at first sight.

Although Tesla was born as the son of a renowned sage, he unfortunately did not inherit his father’s magical abilities. As the family and servants expected him to succeed his father, Tesla felt despair when he realized he couldn’t use magic, which was taught to him by God.

Tesla lacked the magical power necessary to become an excellent magician. That’s when his father, the sage, began to neglect him.

The sage seemed to have lost hope in Tesla, feeling betrayed and disappointed. “It’s a waste of time,” he said, and left Tesla’s presence, leaving him speechless.

Before, the sage would spend time with Tesla, conducting research and spoiling him. However, after that, he locked himself in his room and rarely showed his face to the family.

Although it was unpleasant, Tesla found it convenient to avoid his disliked father.

“I’ll just stay in my room and focus on research. I’ll do my own thing.”

Since Tesla didn’t have magical abilities, he couldn’t pursue magic research. Instead, he was clever and took over the family business, working as the head of the household.

At first, he struggled and made mistakes, but gradually, he became accustomed to the work.

When Tesla was 14, his family bought a slave to keep his father company, who had been locking himself in his room. However, Tesla wasn’t interested and didn’t show any concern.

Tesla devoted himself to enriching the land. He couldn’t use magic, but he could make people smile.

Many people prioritized magic, and its importance was undeniable. However, Tesla despised his father for neglecting the people in their territory to focus on research.

The gap between the two grew deeper.

Around four years later, Tesla heard an unpleasant rumor. His disliked father and the slave were discussing magic together.

The slave was a female demon, just like Tesla, unable to use magic. Yet, she was chatting with his father, a renowned magician?

What arose was anger or perhaps jealousy? He simply felt unpleasant. He didn’t want to see his father or the slave again.

There was a sense of rejection. He didn’t want to see his father’s face again. With that thought, he built a separate residence and severed ties with his father.

Tesla enjoyed enriching the land, walking through the territory, and exploring what was lacking and what was needed.

Seven years later, his family informed him that his father had fallen ill. Tesla was already 25 years old and had been doing the work of the head of the household in place of his father.

What was unpleasant for Tesla was that no one acknowledged his achievements, despite his hard work. When his father fell ill, Tesla was finally recognized as the next head of the household.

“Next head of the household? I’ve been doing the work in place of that man all along!”

The absence of magic was significant, but it wasn’t enough to satisfy humans. He felt anger and even murderous intent.

As he saw his weak father lying in bed, Tesla wished for his quick demise. If his father died, he wouldn’t be the next head of the household but the real one.

Everyone would have to acknowledge him.

He even refused to visit his disliked father, but when his father ordered him to, he thought about killing him.

“You’re not the one! You’re useless, just like that foolish man. Call Tiela here. I’ll finally find the answer to magic!”

His eyes were bloodshot, as if he had lost his mind, consumed by magic. It was pitiful.

Is this the kind of man who is my father? He won’t live long anyway. Then, I’ll grant his wish and search for Tiela.

He knew the name only. She was a female demon who couldn’t use magic but discussed magic with his father. He had never seen her face, but he already detested her.

Would he kill her too when his father died? His twisted jealousy was turning into murderous intent.

“You’re Tiela? My father needs you.”

When he called out to her and she turned around, Tesla felt as if his heart had been grasped tightly. His chest throbbed strongly.

“I’m honored, Master.”

He wanted to keep listening to her beautiful voice, which resonated in his ears. She was a female demon, a slave, and a woman who discussed magic with his disliked father.

Despite this, she was so beautiful that she erased all his thoughts. He was captivated. For the first time, he felt that someone was truly beautiful.

As he gazed into her red eyes, he felt an unusual desire, wanting her to look only at him. At that moment, Tesla realized he had fallen for her.

Tesla, the son of the sage, known as the “Dark Foolish Tyrant,” had finally met his destined partner.

That partner was the female demon he had despised and hated, Tiela Durandal, a slave and the next head of the household.

Their encounter began with a casual conversation between a master and a servant.

───He closed the book, inserting a bookmark between the pages. A familiar name had appeared.

He couldn’t help but glance at the trembling Durandal on the wall. She had been protesting just a moment ago. No, she was still saying, “Please stop reading now.”

Just like humans and elves, demons also conducted research on incantations. As a result, their intimidating power and performance increased, but their dark attribute magic was already powerful even without incantations.

It’s probably only dark attribute magic that can possess sufficient killing ability without even uttering the name of the magic. It’s troublesome because it can suddenly strike during battle.

Although incantations can make them stronger, at least we can prepare for it. That’s still better.

“Are you sighing? You look worried. If you have concerns, I’d like to hear them and help!”

“I’m here too! It’s better to think together with me, a genius, rather than alone as a normal person. If you want to rely on me, that’s…fine with me.”

This conversation has gone off track. We were discussing information about Diavolo. While investigating the information about the succubus, I discovered something. The ability Diavolo actually used seems to have an effective range.

It can’t be used across the entire continent, and it requires the target to be within a certain distance. That distance varies from person to person, but at the very least, they need to be in the same country. So, when they used their ability on me, there’s a high possibility they were in this country at the time. Maybe they’re still in this country now?

Considering her personality, she wouldn’t hide and sneak around; she’d be bold and confident. If there’s a possibility, I should investigate.

No, that’s still impossible. I can’t go around searching for her one by one. There are tens of thousands of people in the capital alone, and if I have to search the entire country, the number would be endless. It’s impossible to find a demon hiding among humans using the “Disguise” magic.

I need to find another method.

“Are you putting your hand on your lips, indicating that you want me to kiss you?”

“Rather than lips, I’m putting my hand on my chin, just thinking. And even if that were the case, wouldn’t it be me instead of Dal-san?”

“Brother-in-law has been quite aware of me, so…”

“Kail is fond of me, so the one he wants to kiss is me!”

“Brother-in-law already has a sister, or rather…I think it’s me. I also have feelings for brother-in-law, so it’s okay to kiss me.”

Is she going to lure me into a dream world like before? The risk feels higher this time.

If my heart is weak due to my abilities, I might drown in the dream and become useless. Last time, it was Lizette’s dream, so I was able to recover, but Diavolo already knows about that.

Even if she shows me a dream, she won’t use the same one. She’s a woman who likes close combat, but she also has a cunning side as a demon. If I don’t meet her expectations, I’ll be discarded like trash.

It’s harder than I thought to find her. Should I think of another method? If I investigate, it would be either the “Sanctuary Eden” where the first law emperor Rudgar was or the “Jungle Emperor” with many unexplored lands.

Can’t we create something with the dwarves’ technology? No, that’s still impossible. Our opponent isn’t human or a monster, but a god. It’s a monster that can intervene in the world at any time, and according to the teacher, it can even control people’s fates.

Is there really a way to have a secret meeting without Mirabel noticing? No, I shouldn’t give up. That would mean ending my life as Mirabel’s puppet, just like the teacher said.

I’ll struggle on. I’m not ready to die yet.

“Does Cecil also have feelings for Kail?”

“Personal feelings are one’s own, so I won’t say anything. But since Kail and I are mutually in love, it’s better to give up.”

“You don’t know, do you, Dal-san?”

“What is it?”

“Brother-in-law is engaged to my sister.”

“What?”

───We are currently in the capital’s library. I’ve heard it’s usually crowded, but for some reason, there’s no one else here except for us. The librarian was here until a while ago, but I confirmed that they escaped quickly.

In other words, the members present here are just the three of us: me, Cecil, and Dal.

It seems someone is monitoring me closely, a man who has had relationships with women. Cecil declared that she would keep a close eye on me, so of course, she accompanied me to the library.

On the way, we met Dal, who was eating a snack on a bench, and she also joined us. She was eating something like an apple candy from my previous life. I wanted to try it, but I endured.

I said I needed to focus on my research and didn’t participate in their conversation, but I sense an ominous atmosphere. When I look up, I feel a sharp gaze, and Dal’s face is clearly angry.

Next to her, Cecil is looking away with a sullen expression.

“What’s going on, Kail?”