Before I knew it, I was in the middle of a city.
A completely ordinary world, one where not a single dungeon was in sight.
It was the scenery of the world I used to know. The place I’d spent so long wishing to return to; a precious place currently out of my reach.
As I stood there, dumbfounded, I realized Ciel was beside me, holding my hand... and Levi-san was right in front of me.
"I have a lot I want to talk about, so why don't we all go on a date?"
I wanted an explanation for the situation, but the mood didn't really allow for one. Swept up in her pace, I simply gave a small nod.
"Then let’s head off immediately! First stop, the arcade!"
The Demon Lord of Envy set off for the game center with unhesitating steps.
In a space empty of everyone but us, she laughed with an innocent, infectious joy. She looked like she was having the time of her life.
"Reima-san, keep up! Our time is limited!"
It would’ve been petty to say anything while she was having so much fun. I kept my mouth shut.
Still, seeing the Serpent of Envy—a woman with such a mature appearance—frolicking and laughing like a child... I didn't understand why I was in a place like this, but I didn't exactly hate it.
"Master, Levi is fast."
"She’s just that excited. Let’s just go along with it for now."
"Mm. I’ll enjoy myself too."
"You’re in a pretty high-tension mood yourself, Ciel."
"Because this is the first time I’ve ever done anything like this."
The way she smiled when she said that made her look truly happy... and seeing Levi-san moving ahead so energetically seemed to please her as well. Watching the two of them made me feel a strange sense of contentment myself.
"We’re here! Let’s get straight to the games."
"What are you aiming for?"
"Heh heh heh. It is none other than—the crane game. This is where I’ll coolly snag a prize and make Reima-san fall head over heels for me."
"I’m not that easy. Besides, where are you even learning this stuff?"
"Galge and the Internets."
She said it with a smug look, pronouncing it like a native. Well, she was an otherworldly entity, so I suppose it technically was her native tongue. A misplaced thought about how good her Japanese was crossed my mind as I handed her some coins and watched.
"Waaaaah! I couldn't get a single one! The settings on this machine are rigged!"
"...As expected, I guess. That’s very you, Levi-san."
"Why? Why?! I could get them so easily in the games I practiced with..."
"That’s because those were video games."
"Aren't they the same thing?!"
"Well... consider it your baptism."
"Please get one for me, Reima-san! And avenge me while you're at it! If possible, I want this Dizzy Mendako plushie, right now! It’s so cute I could die."
Having suffered a crushing defeat, she turned to me for help. She shamelessly pointed out a prize that looked like it would be a top-tier hit even in a massive arcade like this... then she retreated behind me to wait.
It was a pathetic, lackey-like display, completely beneath someone calling themselves a Demon Lord.
I wondered if she had any dignity left to maintain, but I just let out a small huff of a laugh. I put my trained eyesight and crane game experience to work and snagged the prize instantly.
"Doki-doki?"
"I don't need the sound effects."
"Fine. Zukyuun, then!"
"I think I have a pretty good idea of what kind of manga you've been reading in this world, Levi-san."
"Even so, that was amazing finger-work... To think you'd get it for only 300 yen."
"I'm used to it... Here, this black Mendako was the one you wanted, right?"
In my hand was a black flapjack octopus with a towel on its head and an expression that looked lightheaded from a hot spring. I’d only known about its existence through Ayane, but it definitely had the kind of cuteness that would make it popular.
"Your affection level has increased, Reima-san. Keep up the good work."
"Stop talking like a navigation fairy."
"You have to express your feelings if you want them to reach, right?"
"Stop it, it’s embarrassing."
When I told her that, she gave me a triumphant grin, took my hand, and started walking again.
"Next is this! The FX Capybara!"
"...What the hell is that?"
"I looked it up this morning; apparently it's a new plushie... The look of utter despair on its face—like it just watched its life savings melt away—is what makes it a popular character."
"Who even came up with that?"
"Oh, it's the same company as the Mendako-san... you know? By the way, these actually exist in reality."
How could you not know something so basic? Her exaggerated sigh seemed to say.
Since I didn't collect plushies, I didn't have this information, and I didn't give a damn about her trying to flex on me... but something about her tone rubbed me the wrong way, so I reached out and flicked her forehead.
"Guh—Hiss!"
"Don't threaten me, Demon King. You'll scare the capybara away."
"I'm threatening Reima-san, so it's 'safe'! Anyway, why did you flick my forehead?!"
"Because I felt like it."
"Isn't that just unreasonable?"
No, I think your strength is what's truly unreasonable.
"Hey, Levi-san. By the way, do you actually have any weaknesses?"
"Spicy garlic beef bowls, normies, and giant cross boomerangs."
"Don't just list things that sound like tropes..."
"But it's very Demon King-ish, isn't it?"
She had certainly listed things that might be found in a book about slaying monsters, but it felt like the words only looked the part; they didn't seem to have any actual relevance.
"I think you're off the mark. Besides, those are probably Laura's weaknesses."
"Hehe. Ah, other than that, I'm done for if my heart is pierced by silver weaponry, just like anyone else."
"Wait, is that even a 'weakness'?"
"Listen, Reima-san. Any living creature will usually die if a silver stake is driven into their heart."
"...I guess you're right. It'd be scarier if you survived that."
When I thought about it, it was obvious. Most living things die when their heart is pierced.
"Now it's time for Reima-san's weaknesses. Tell me."
"I'm keeping my mouth shut."
"Ehh, tell me! Like spicy food, or haunted spots... or maybe bosses with garbage amounts of health, or those 'jump-scare' type overseas horror games! I bet you have plenty!"
"...Hey, Ciel?"
"I wonder if someone you know told her. Besides, I'm a newcomer."
Everything coming out of the Demon King's mouth was something I was bad at.
Only the companions I'd been with for a long time would know that, but I didn't know who had talked. I shot a suspicious look at Ciel, but she just turned her head and feigned ignorance.
"Hey, hey, hey, Reima-san, Reima-san! Why are you bad at those things?"
"Shut up. I'm going to get the capybara, so be quiet."
"Ah, I'll be quiet now~"
Greedy little... This is why I can't stand Demon Lords.
Well, it was a good way to change the subject. I won the capybara just like that, handed it to the satisfied Levi, and asked about our next destination.
"Let's see. Next is... an amusement park? No, an aquarium? Ah, but a park would be nice. There was a nature park nearby, wasn't there?"
"You even know about that?"
"It's about the mood! Now, come on, let's go, Reima-san, Ciel-chan!"
"I want to go too, so hurry up, Master."
Levi-san and Ciel both pulled on my hands. Led by them, we arrived at a vast, open park.
"Sigh. Well, I decided to go along with you for now, so I guess it's fine."
"Fuhahaha! This is the power of a Demon King."
"Yes, yes, Princess. As you wish."
"No way—did I finally gain the 'Princess' attribute?!"
With an exaggerated, shocked reaction, she let out a happy laugh.
"This is the power of affection adjustment. It's too forbidden."
"Sorry, I take it back. I've already got a princess back there. And plenty of other companions too."
"I've been NTR'd?!"
"Don't say that until you've actually slept with me. Besides, Ciel and the others come first."
"Future-sight NTR... you say?"
"Don't invent new terms."
"That’s the 'Me Quality.' Feel free to add it to your lexicon."
I don't need a dictionary like that.
I wouldn't know where to use it, and more than anything, it made no sense. It didn't seem like there would be any point in my life where I'd need it, nor did I want to use it. It was a complete void of utility. That was how much I hated the idea.
"I bought ice cream at the Illusion Convenience Store, so now it's time to just watch. Vive les children!"
"Was your target elementary schoolers all along?"
"Yes, because I love children! I thought I'd take this chance to enjoy some 'shota and loli' in the wild."
"The phrasing is the absolute worst. What do you think, Ciel?"
"Gross."
"Right? And besides, there's nobody even here."
In this short amount of time, I had seen many sides of her, but she really was frolicking innocently.
It was a very strange way to meet, spending just a few days together. It was a noisy daily life for the first time in a while—tiring, but a little, just a tiny bit fun. There was trouble, sure... but still, perhaps because of how much this person joked around, I felt myself relaxing.
...How should I put it? These last few days have been quite intense.
I thought about that while looking at the park bathed in the sunset. I was tired, I was hurt, she had made me feel incredibly embarrassed, and more than anything, it had been a hell of a struggle.
"Hey, Levi-san. What's the situation right now?"
"Hmm, well, since I lost, I used the last of my power to trap Reima-san and Behe... Ciel-chan inside a really big barrier."
"The reason is... well, for what we've been doing just now?"
"Yes! I just wanted to play. Honestly, it was supposed to go differently. We were going to talk things out that night and make plans to hang out again!"
The way she sat there and laughed made her look like a girl her apparent age... and more than anyone, she seemed to be living in this moment with more joy than anyone else.
"What's going to happen to you now, Levi-san?"
"I lost, so I guess I'm going to be retrieved... How was it? Was I strong?"
"Yeah. You were incredibly strong. Seriously, you were on another level compared to anyone I've ever fought. It was ridiculous."
"Hehehe, I'm glad to hear that! After all, I am the strongest Serpent! By the way, it's a bit late to ask, but how did you defeat Ciel-chan?"
"I just fired a Leva-ken at full blast with everyone else."
When I told her that, Levi-san burst out laughing.
Perhaps Ciel found it offensive, because she started poking Levi quite seriously... no, she was hitting her with soft 'poka-poka' punches, and it didn't look like it was going to settle down.
"Ahahaha! Loser! You're a disgrace to the Doomsday Beasts! Ow, ow! Hey, I'm literally falling apart here, so go easy on me!"
"I think the one who teased me is in the wrong. Mocking a delicate maiden like me is just plain cruel."
"Wait, that's strange. If we're counting how many times someone was teased, I'm pretty sure I'm the one in the lead?"
And so, while mediating between the two as they started bickering again... I slowly threw a question her way.
"Hey, Levi-san... tell me. Why did you call out to me back then?"