DKFTI 3

The creature, trembling and glancing around nervously at his question, looked human no matter how he saw it.

“Were you captured too?”

This silly-looking human trembling like this could only mean, in his conclusion, that he too was a hostage captured by the perverted Demon King.

“Y-Yes?”

Every time he spoke, he flinched as if startled, not seeming the type suited for playing at being a hero.

His face was male, but with slender lines, a fragile, pure atmosphere. It seemed clear he was captured for that sort of reason. But his behavior was unnatural.

“You, are you a demon worshiper?”

“Not at all!”

“How old are you?”

Looking at the boyish face that seemed barely of adult age, Aizen asked. Strangely, seeing that face made his lips dry.

“…One year old.”

“Ah.”

At the ridiculous answer, Aizen’s thick brows twisted.

“A fool, then. Did the Demon King mess with your mind? Filthy work.”

He soon reached a reasonable and rational conclusion.

“Eh…?”

“That perverted bastard.”

As the curse spilled from between Aizen’s teeth, the man’s body shrank back even more.

“N-no, that’s not…”

“Why. He didn’t do anything else to you?”

The man shook his head.

“No need to be afraid. How would you like me to do it? Should I burn that bastard alive? Dissolve him in holy water? Or would it be satisfying to tear him into six or seven pieces?”

At those words, the boy, still caught in Aizen’s grip, trembled so hard his whole body shook.

Aizen released the hand gripping his clothes and asked.

“I am Apostle Aizen. What is your name?”

It was a simple self-introduction as usual between strangers meeting for the first time.

But strangely, the man in front of Aizen turned pale as if those words were a death sentence. Soon, beneath his blue eyes, large tears welled and dropped, plop, plop.

Aizen was bewildered.

What’s wrong with him?

***

He did not know why. Ever since he possessed the Demon King, Sibel had strangely found it difficult to control his emotions. Especially when it came to fear and sadness.

But when someone said to your face that they would tear you apart and kill you, anyone would tear up a little, wouldn’t they?

Sibel wiped the damp tears from the corners of his eyes and looked at Aizen.

Haah. Why did he get caught? He thought he had hidden well.

Sibel felt it was unfair that he had been found out, and he was flustered by the hero’s lack of interest in the treasure vault.

“What on earth did the Demon King do to you that made you like that… No, never mind.”

It seemed Aizen had some kind of misunderstanding. But Sibel did not have the courage to correct it.

In truth, it was a misunderstanding, and the fact was that he did not have the confidence to endure the aftermath that would occur if he said “I am the Demon King!”

He made up his mind to absolutely not to let his identity be exposed.

“The Demon King isn’t such a bad person…”

He barely managed to squeeze out the words, defending the Demon King. But as soon as he finished speaking, Aizen’s eyes sharpened in an instant, completely different from only a few seconds ago.

“Are you the Demon King’s subordinate?”

He’s person with quick perception and sharp instincts. He had to be careful, and careful again.

“N-no, I’m not!”

“You say the perverted bastard who stripped me and tied me up isn’t a bad person?”

Damn it, that happened because you got hurt and rolled around in the labyrinth, tearing your own clothes… He had a lot to say, but could not.

“I-It must not have been intentional.”

“You’ve been brainwashed thoroughly.”

“No, I haven’t.”

“Then why defend him. You’re his subordinate?”

“Hic.”

Fearing he might hurt him, Sibel curled up, hugging his body protectively.

“B-but Hero…”

“What.”

Aizen rotated his wrist and tapped his neck, looking down on Sibel with disdain.

“Um, that’s the treasure vault…”

“I know. The sign’s right there.”

On the door of the vault, a plaque clearly read  in big letters. As if someone had desperately wanted it noticed, it was decorated ornately.

“You won’t go in?”

When Sibel asked cautiously, Aizen’s lips twisted.

“Do I look like I came here to steal?”

Yes. That’s exactly what you came for.

Sibel had carefully displayed the antidote in the very first cabinet of the treasure vault, in plain sight, because he knew what Aizen’s purpose was.

“But…”

“First, I want to see the Demon King’s face.”

You’re already looking at him now.

“That’s n-not a good idea.”

When Sibel mustered up the courage to say it, Aizen looked down at him steadily.

“Are you that scared?”

Sibel did not know what misunderstanding he was having, but Aizen seemed to be an expert at twisting things however he wanted.

Was he the type with a vivid imagination? Maybe his MBTI was N¹?

While Sibel was flustered, Aizen began to move. His movements were like those of a beast searching for something.

“Where are you going? What about the treasure?”

“What are you babbling about. If you want to live, follow me.”

“N-no, wait, why…!”

Trying somehow to turn Aizen’s steps back, Sibel grabbed his left arm. But he froze in shock at his own action.

And then… someone saw.

“Demon Kiiiiiing!”

Someone shouted in a thundering voice, calling for Sibel.

When Sibel saw Ruru running from afar, waving his fox tail, his hair stood on end in pure, one hundred percent panic.

Wait, is that guy suddenly outing my identity?

‘Did he hear? Maybe he didn’t hear.’

Sibel glanced at the back of Aizen’s head nervously.

“Demon King! Our Demon King! That useless hero dares to hold our Demon King?”

‘…Anyone can see I’m the one holding him. Why are you like this. Ruru, do you have some grudge against me?’

At that moment, Ruru whipped his tail, and a gust of wind blew. Aizen and Sibel staggered and were blown back. To be precise, Aizen braced his legs and endured, but Sibel rolled across the floor.

“That bastard dared to throw our Demon King?”

…You’re the one who blew the wind. You. Ruru, are your eyes okay?

“I’ll kill you!”

With Ruru’s shout, a flame-filled blast rushed toward Aizen’s body.

Aizen crossed his arms to shield himself, but the attack was too much for a human to endure. He was sent flying into the wall of the Demon King’s castle, then collapsed heavily to the ground.

Before he fell unconscious, he looked at Sibel with eyes filled with a strange sense of betrayal.

“……”

Ah, shit. I’m screwed.

Sibel lost his composure as he saw the crumbling walls, the dust, and the rising smoke of flames.

“You bastard! You wicked brat!”

Ruru rushed to the fallen, unconscious Aizen and stomped on his back with his small foot.

Sibel stood up and grabbed Ruru’s arm to stop him.

“Why, what is it! Are you hurt? Wait, just let me smash his face a little more…”

“Stop it. It’s all ruined.”

“Huh? What do you mean ruined?”

With innocent, clueless eyes, Ruru looked up at Sibel. His furry brown fox ears twitched.

“What about compliments?”

Ruru wanted praise.

“…Good job.”

You really screwed it up.

“Hehe, I’m glad you recognize my loyalty!”

Ruru proudly puffed out his chest. Sibel poked Aizen’s limp body with his finger.

“I-is he dead?”

This guy was supposed to save the world later and do so many things… What a shame.

He wondered if he should pay respects, but then Aizen coughed violently.

“Eek!”

Sibel was startled and fell back, and Ruru kicked Aizen’s head.

“Hey!”

“Yes, Demon King!”

“Y-you can’t hit people.”

“Hmm? But the former Demon King always said, humans must be ruled with the rod.”

“…Erase that from your memory. Forget it.”

“But.”

“It’s either the former Demon King or me! Choose! Whose word will you follow?”

“Ha, of course you, Lord Sibel!”

Sibel successfully reached a dramatic compromise with Ruru.

In the meantime, Aizen’s fingertips twitched. Seeing signs of life, Ruru spoke.

“Do you mean to keep this human alive?”

Ruru tilted his head as he asked. Sibel replied.

“Yes.”

“Hm, then I’ll set up a safety device for you!”

With a pop, a pouch of all-things appeared in Ruru’s hand. It was the same bag he had pulled grotesque tools from before.

“Let’s see, let’s see…”

Rummaging inside, Ruru pulled something out. It looked like a dog’s collar. He fastened it around Aizen’s neck.

“If you set this up like this, you can send an electric shock whenever you want.”

“Electric shock?”

“Yes. Here, take this bracelet.”

Ruru slipped a bracelet onto Sibel’s arm, inlaid with the same magic stone as the collar. The purple gem shimmered faintly.

“Go on, try pressing the stone there.”

“……”

From the context, it was obvious pressing it would send an electric shock. Was this really okay? Sibel hesitated.

‘But isn’t testing very important?’

With trembling hands, he placed his finger over the gem, torn with indecision.

“Urgh…”

Aizen regained consciousness, he clutched his head and braced himself on the floor with his arm as he rose.

“You bastards…!”

He looked furious. Sibel realized that anger was directed at him.

Click.

Startled by the killing intent, Sibel flinched and pressed the button.

Crackle!

He heard a crisp sound. There was the smell of burning. It was delicious.

Thud!

Aizen collapsed again onto the floor.

“Wow, you did great, Demon King!”

Functionality check, successful.

1. People with the Intuitive trait prefer to exercise their imaginations as they seek new ideas and possibilities. ↩︎