By the time I made my way back along the path shrouded in the pitch-black night and reached Lilia-san’s mansion, it was late enough to be called the middle of the night.
“Welcome back, Miyama-sama.”
“Lunamaria-san. I’m sorry, I stayed out quite late.”
“No, Milady and the others returned only a short while ago themselves, so there is hardly any difference.”
I apologized for the late hour to Lunamaria-san, who had likely come to the entrance to greet me after hearing the carriage, but she informed me that Lilia-san’s group had coincidentally arrived just ahead of me.
“How was the dinner party?”
“Yes, it was very enjoyable.”
“I am glad to hear it. Milady was quite worried about you…”
We exchanged light small talk as we walked down the hallway.
Hmm. It was a strange feeling. Comparing them now, Lunamaria-san felt like she had a completely different atmosphere than Ein-san. While Ein-san felt polished to the absolute limit without a single opening, Lunamaria-san felt a bit more relaxed—or perhaps "business-like" was the better word. I wondered if two people in the same profession could really be that different, or if Ein-san was simply the abnormal one.
Lost in these thoughts, I was guided to the dining room. After greeting Lilia-san and the others, we sat down for tea and began discussing our respective days.
“…I see. A demon who was originally an Otherworlder… That truly is a rare case.”
“Indeed. I have heard stories of those who played the Hero in the past choosing to stay here permanently, but to be reincarnated as a demon…”
“Wait, is there even a way to reincarnate from a human into a demon in the first place?”
As expected, the topic that drew the most attention from Lilia-san and her group was the story of Noin-san, the former Japanese woman.
Noin-san had spoken of it as if it were perfectly natural that she had been reincarnated through Kuro’s power, so I had only thought of it as a possibility. However, both Lilia-san and Lunamaria-san had looks of profound shock on their faces.
“I cannot say it’s impossible. After all, that person has lived for hundreds of years despite starting as a human like Kaito-san. Among the High-ranking Demons who have lived for untold ages, many possess unique secret arts that are still unknown to us of humankind.”
“However, for a power capable of altering the lifespan of one’s original species… the High-ranking Demon Miyama-sama met must be at least Count-class. Or perhaps even a Duke-class High-ranking Demon.”
“Are those classes like ranks for demons?”
“Yes. While the Demon Realm has almost nothing in the way of an aristocratic society or hierarchy like the Human Realm, powerful demons with immense strength are broadly classified using peerage ranks for the sake of convenience. A Count-class High-ranking Demon is an existence with enough power to rival a nation on their own, equal to or greater than a High-ranking God of the God Realm. Those above them, the Duke-class, are a mere handful even within the vast Demon Realm. They aren't the kind of people you can meet just because you want to.”
There was no longer any doubt that Kuro was a High-ranking Demon with staggering power, but she seemed to be a much more significant existence than I had ever imagined.
Still, if she was that incredible, I thought it was strange that Lilia-san or Lunamaria-san wouldn’t recognize her name.
“…Ah, I haven't mentioned this to Kaito-san and the others yet, but many High-ranking Demons constantly employ Information Concealment Magic. This makes it impossible for third parties to gather information about them.”
“Eh? What does that mean?”
“To use our current conversation as an example, Kaito-san, you might have been telling us the names of those High-ranking Demons quite normally, but the magic makes it so we are unable to hear them. We could perceive the names if we already knew the individuals, but we cannot obtain that information unilaterally from you.”
“In everything Miyama-sama has told us so far, the only names we were able to perceive were those of three demons: Noin-sama, Acht-sama, and Razulia-sama. As for the other people you mentioned, we couldn’t hear how many there were, what they looked like, or even the specifics of your conversations with them.”
“I-Is that so…”
Information Concealment Magic… I see. Come to think of it, Acht had said that High-ranking Demons were generally lone wolves who rarely moved personally, preferring to use subordinates. Kuro also generally only showed up when I was alone.
Certainly, if we assumed Kuro was a Count-class or higher High-ranking Demon—an existence with power equivalent to a national military—her walking through town would probably cause a massive uproar. It was likely something akin to a celebrity wearing a disguise.
“For example, Milady and I naturally know the names and appearances of the Six Kings. However, even if Luna were to speak the Underworld King’s name right now, Kaito-san and your friends wouldn't be able to hear it unless you already had an image of their appearance in your minds.”
“Information Concealment Magic is extremely advanced. Maintaining it constantly consumes a staggering amount of Magic Power, so it’s impossible for anyone who isn't a top-tier High-ranking Demon. In fact, whether or not one can use this magic is one of the benchmarks for Peerage-class status. Of course, since no human can use Information Concealment Magic, there are many mysteries regarding its range and effects…”
Lunamaria-san added to Lilia-san’s explanation.
Hmm. That meant that among those I had met today, Noin-san, Acht, and Raz were "normal" demons, while Zex-san and Ein-san were classified as High-ranking Demons.
“Though, some choose not to use Information Concealment Magic at all. Taking the Six Kings I mentioned earlier as an example… War King Megiddo Argetes Borgness-sama, World King Lilliwood Yggdrasil-sama, and Dragon King Magnawell Baskus Lard Kartzbald-sama do not use the magic. That is why you are all able to hear their names.”
Whoa, those were some incredibly long names. I wondered if people with titles like "King" in any world were destined to have names that went on forever.
Wait, I recognized one of them. Wasn't the Dragon King the one Acht had used as an example of someone many times larger than himself?
“I can tell just by the names that they’re incredible people, but why don't those three use Information Concealment Magic?”
As I was thinking that, Kusunoki-san voiced the same curiosity I had.
“The reasons vary. I haven't heard them directly, but… the War King-sama is said to simply have a personality that dislikes secrets. The World King-sama has a vast number of subordinates and is even treated as an object of worship in certain regions. As for the Dragon King-sama… his physique is so massive it can be mistaken for a mountain range, so I imagine there isn't much point in hiding.”
“…I think I’m starting to realize all over again how terrifying the Six Kings really are.”
The Dragon King was even bigger than I’d imagined! If he was being compared to a mountain range, was he thousands of meters tall? Compared to that, the five-meter-tall Acht really was like a dwarf. If something that size moved around, just walking would probably trigger earthquakes.
“Well, you’ll almost never have the chance to meet the Six Kings directly, though you may see them from a distance during the Hero Festival.”
“I’m not sure if I should be looking forward to that or be terrified…”
“Normally, even a noble would rarely get the chance to even make an acquaintance of a High-ranking Demon. To actually share a meal with them… Miyama-sama, you are in quite a peculiar situation.”
“Being blessed with good connections is a talent in itself. Simply having your name remembered by a High-ranking Demon can be a source of power… Please, make sure to cherish these bonds.”
“Ah, yes.”
Hmm. Looking at it that way, it really was lucky that I had been able to interact with such powerful beings. I had my reservations, but I decided to look on the bright side.
People that even nobles couldn't easily meet were visiting me almost every night and teaching me magic. Thinking about it again, it was an outrageous situation.
“Actually, perhaps Milady should have Miyama-sama share some of that talent with her?”
“Ugh… It’s true, Kaito-san’s social skills are something I should emulate. If you have any tips, please, by all means, teach me…”
“…Ha, haha…”
Faced with Lilia-san’s respectful gaze, I could only manage a strained laugh.
I couldn't tell her. I couldn't say that back in my original world, I was a loner who didn't even have proper friends. Even my current social circle was mostly the result of being swept along by Kuro. My actual communication skills were about the size of a water flea.
Dear Mother, Father—I was supposed to be a master-class loner back when I was on Earth, but for some reason, in this world—it seems I’ve got one foot planted firmly in a social connection cheat.