kscans

Chapter 163 - The Black Roses' Teatime

Every beautiful rose has its thorns.

It was a saying learned not from anyone in particular, but one that you just come to know. And even without knowing its precise meaning, you could somehow grasp what it was trying to say. Perhaps it was a human instinct.

Even beautiful things have flaws. Beauty itself is danger. A warning of sorts. That was probably correct. Even a flower as beautiful as a rose isn't perfect, and if you try to touch it, you'll get hurt.

There was a group that bore the name of such a rose, the Ten Black Rose Saints.

They were a group led by Rosalie Quentis, an executive serving the Demon Lord Lunaria.

Now they were the Ten Black Rose Saints, but before the world changed, they were a clan called "Black Rose," and they were skilled enough to reach the top four in the Clan Wars.

All of them were clad in black gothic lolita-style clothing, possessing an elegance and beauty that truly made them seem like black roses. And it wasn't just their appearance that was beautiful, their fighting style was as well.

Never fighting alone, the women of the Black Rose attacked as a group. In terms of coordination alone, they were likely far superior to even the strongest clans.

But that clan lost to the clan led by the Lunaria of that time, "Ambrosia."

Ever since then, the members of Black Rose could be said to have been devoted to Lunaria. That remained the same even after losing their memories and entering the next world.

In a room within the Demon Lord's Castle.

There, the members of the Ten Black Rose Saints sat around a round table. There were currently nine of them. They were waiting for their leader, Rosalie.

The Ten Black Rose Saints held a high-ranking position within the Demon Lord's Army.

At the top was the Demon Lord Lunaria, and beneath her were ten executives.

Eight of them were called the Demonfolk, and they were the closest to Lunaria. They were the members who had been in Lunaria's clan before the world changed, and it was said they possessed power rivaling Lunaria's.

And then there were Rosalie of the Ten Black Rose Saints and the leader of the Ten Dark Knights, who held the same executive rank.

An executive meeting was currently being held, and the members of the Black Rose were waiting for Rosalie to bring back a report.

After a while, Rosalie entered the room.

The reactions were varied. Some straightened their posture, some continued to drink their tea unchanged, some sat cross-legged in their chairs, some muttered to themselves while looking at their weapons... They did not stand on ceremony with each other. Even with their leader Rosalie's arrival, their attitudes were free.

"I've kept you waiting. Well then, I will report the contents of the executive meeting at once."

Rosalie businesslikely reported the details of the executive meeting. She listed the Demon Country's financial reports and any problems that had arisen, and requested countermeasures from each member as needed.

The report continued for about thirty minutes, and when it was all over, the meeting was dismissed. However, for the Black Roses, the real event was just beginning. Their tea time was a moment that could not be replaced by anything else.

Because at that tea party, cookies handmade by the Demon Lord Lunaria were served.

The Demon Lord's Cookies boasted sales that accounted for ten percent of the Demon Country's financial resources. If you tried to buy them in the Demon Country, they would cost a considerable amount. But as an executive, Rosalie could receive them directly from Lunaria for free.

"Well then, let us partake today in gratitude for Lunaria-sama's mercy."

The members of the Black Rose each struck a pose of thanks before eating a cookie. For them, this was the vitality that sustained them through their days.

"As always, a magnificent taste."

"Kukuku, so this is the taste of happiness...!"

"Supreme."

"Sasumao."

Some ate in silence, while others voiced their impressions. But no matter what they said, there was no mistaking that their impression was that it was delicious.

They began to chat while eating their cookies. But today, the mood was different.

"Rosalie-oneesama. I heard that Lunaria-sama recently displayed her cooking skills. Am I mistaken? And that some of you even cooked with her. Why was I not there?"

At those words, a stir went through several of them.

Cooking together with the Demon Lord Lunaria. A murderous aura was emitted from the members who hadn't participated. Some had already taken up their weapons.

"A clan that Lunaria-sama favors required a large amount of food, so the members with the Cooking Skill simply went with her to help make it. I was only there to supervise."

There were three members present who had the Cooking Skill. Those three had smug faces.

"Kuh! But I am proficient in the handling of poison!"

"I don't know what you're trying to appeal to, but we don't use the Poison Skill to cook."

"Putting that aside, I'm curious. What exactly did Lunaria-sama make?"

"She made the custard cream that would become the ingredients for the Super Eclairs. The sight of Lunaria-sama at that time was, well, it was magnificent. Truly like a Demon Lord."

At Rosalie's words, the three Black Roses who had participated nodded.

How one could see the act of cooking and call it a gallant figure was a mystery, but the three who were nodding with ecstatic expressions must have had the same impression.

"Kukuku... I have never resented my lack of a Cooking Skill as much as I do today...! But knowing you, Rosalie, the fact that you brought this up without hiding it means you have something to tell us, don't you? Spit it out without reservation."

"I'm surprised you brought that up so suddenly, but your sharp intuition can be a problem. I wanted to create a surprise, but I suppose it can't be helped. Still, I will at least tell you the circumstances."

At those words, everyone nodded.

The Illusion Dragon that caused the Stampede in the Spirit Country was a dragon that spread bad statuses. Medicine was needed to counter it, but other dragons were guarding the places where the ingredients were, preventing the medicine from being made.

However, there was another way to avoid the bad statuses.

It was a giant eclair called a Super Eclair. The duration varied depending on its quality, but it was an item that nullified all bad statuses during that time. The problem was that it required a lot of ingredients. To make them, the Demon Lord Lunaria and the members of the Black Rose with the Cooking Skill made the ingredients together.

That being that, only the members fighting the Illusion Dragon in the Spirit Country could eat the Super Eclair. The members of the Black Rose belonged to the Demon Country, so they couldn't participate in the battle. In other words, they couldn't eat it.

And the members of the Black Rose had fought on the spot to prevent the dragons guarding the medicine ingredients from joining up with the Illusion Dragon.

"As thanks for that, he made us Super Eclairs using the custard cream, chocolate, and dough that Lunaria-sama made. The final creation was not by Lunaria-sama, but the ingredients were undoubtedly made by her. We received enough for everyone, so I will distribute them now."

At Rosalie's words, everyone froze for a moment. But they quickly found their voices.

"So you mean the sweet banquet is just getting started."

"Wha...t...?!"

"This is super crazy, I might die of happiness tomorrow."

"Right?!"

Everyone except Rosalie was leaning over the round table, their eyes bloodshot. If she were to say that there was no such thing now, it wouldn't be surprising if they killed her.

Rosalie slowly took out the Super Eclairs for everyone from her item bag and distributed them.

The members of the Black Rose took their time savoring the Super Eclairs.

Everyone had a satisfied look on their face, a picture of bliss. One of them had even collapsed onto the round table and fainted.

"That was delicious. I can fight at full power for another year with this!"

"I know, right."

"It was a taste that rivals the Demon Lord's Cookies. The final creator may not have been Lunaria-sama, but it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call this a Super Demon Lord Eclair."

"Seriously super crazy. Like, for real for real crazy."

All the members were praising the Super Eclair. Although the final creator was not the Demon Lord Lunaria, the ingredients were undoubtedly handmade by her. Therefore, it was something Lunaria had made.

"Kukuku... I ask you, Rosalie. A slight interest has been piqued, but this fellow who made the Super Eclair, I do not know him. What is he like? Is he strong?"

At that question, Rosalie was at a loss for words. This was a rare occurrence, so much so that the other members wondered what was wrong.

Explaining it would be simple.

He was the leader of the clan "Daedalus" and a rare individual who only had production skills. Rosalie aside, the other members probably hadn't spoken to him directly, but they should have seen him several times at victory celebrations and the like. And since Lunaria had joined his clan, she had also explained about the clan.

But when asked what he was like, she didn't know what impression to convey.

"That's difficult to answer."

"Oneesama, what do you mean, difficult?"

"I can't simply explain what kind of person he is. 'An unremarkable man' seems to fit him best, but..."

"What's that supposed to mean? Isn't he the leader of the clan Lunaria-sama joined? I heard they did well in the last Clan War, so isn't he strong?"

"No, he's not strong at all. I believe I've explained this before, but he only has production skills, so he can't do anything related to combat."

At those words, most of those present looked dumbfounded.

She had explained it once before, but they must have not been very interested and let it go in one ear and out the other. More members seemed to be hearing it for the first time now.

"Isn't that weird? When we went to defeat Agres Berion, he was the one giving orders to Lunaria-sama, disrespectful as it was, right? Why is Lunaria-sama obeying such a weakling? And for that matter, that Hero was following his orders too."

"Right."

During the battle with Agres Berion, Hayato had given orders several times, and both the Demon Lord Lunaria and the Hero Ivan had followed them without question. This had surprised everyone present, but he himself seemed completely unaware of it.

"Lunaria-sama and the Hero caused a disturbance at Hayato's base and had to write a pledge. Not to cause trouble at the base, and to help if anything happens. That is what's influencing them."

"Kukuku... However, there is a hole in that, is there not? Considering the contents of the pledge, it does not state that they must absolutely obey his commands. There should be no need to follow that Hayato's instructions. And yet, both Lunaria-sama and the Hero obeyed. How do you explain that?"

Rosalie was once again at a loss for words. It was certainly true, but even Rosalie didn't know why. The only thing she could think of was that he was the leader of the clan Lunaria belonged to.

But Rosalie rejected that answer herself.

After all, the Hero, who had nothing to do with the clan, had also followed Hayato's instructions. They weren't significant instructions, and it felt more like he had been goaded into it, but the fact that he had obeyed was undeniable.

In place of the struggling Rosalie, another member spoke up.

"I don't really understand, but could it be that he's a charming man? I don't think Lunaria-sama would fall for him, but that Hero is following him too, right?"

"I saw him from a distance, but he didn't seem like a pretty boy. If anything, Ash was more handsome. I could eat three bowls of rice just looking at that face."

Before defeating Agres Berion, there was a meeting at Mist's mansion that also served as a victory celebration for the Illusion Dragon subjugation.

The members of the Black Rose were there at that time, but they had stayed by the handsome Ash's side and hadn't spoken to Hayato.

"I think a man should compete with what's on the inside. If he's handsome on top of that, he's perfect."

"I know, right."

"Oneesama, how is it? Does this Hayato have a handsome personality or some other charm?"

Rosalie was even more at a loss for words.

Frankly, he didn't seem to have a handsome personality either. The only handsome-like action Rosalie could think of was when he had faced off against the Hero Ivan outside the base before.

When she had lost to the Hero and was one blow away from defeat, Hayato had stepped between Rosalie and Ivan. There was no penalty for being defeated, and it wasn't like Ivan would attack indiscriminately, so there was no danger. The same went for Hayato who stepped in.

But she could appreciate that he had tried to resolve the situation, and she was grateful. Because of that, she had guided him when he came to the Demon Lord's Castle with Ney and the others, and she couldn't be too harsh on him even if he did something disrespectful to her.

And then there was the sealed room in the Demon Lord's Castle. For some reason, Hayato had been able to go beyond it.

Honestly, even Rosalie had no idea what kind of person Hayato was.

"You seem to be thinking pretty hard about this. Is it that difficult?"

"It is difficult. I can't say if he has charm or not. Lunaria-sama has started visiting that base more often, though I doubt it's for Hayato's sake, and that Goddess of Annihilation is also a member of Hayato's clan. I heard she was hired from the Maid Guild, but would that Esha serve under someone who has nothing?"

That question made those around her groan.

Esha Crown, the one who had defeated the Hero and the Demon Lord. The NPCs held that person in awe. Hayato had that Esha as a companion. That was certainly not normal.

He wasn't strong, and it was unclear if he had any charm. And yet, he was respected by the strongest people in the world. Hayato, who held such a strange reputation, was difficult to explain.

"Kukuku... Then let us all go and meet this Hayato next time. It should be far easier to understand than hearing it from Rosalie's mouth."

"That would be the quickest way. Next time, let's all go to the base with Lunaria-sama. Hayato is a production class, so there might be a chance to have a meal with Lunaria-sama..."

At those words, everyone except Rosalie shot to their feet with a clatter. It seemed the member who had fainted had also woken up.

Rosalie explained in a slow, calming tone.

"It will be impossible for a while. As punishment for her world invasion, Lunaria-sama is confined to the top floor of the Demon Lord's Castle and is being made to bake cookies."

Lunaria had tried to invade the world as the Demon Lord, but her executives had gotten angry with her, and she was now reflecting on her actions. She was confined to the top floor of the Demon Lord's Castle and was being made to bake cookies endlessly.

"Oneesama, then how about we help Lunaria-sama escape? After all, that's just the Black Knights trying to monopolize Lunaria-sama, isn't it? There might be resistance from the Black Knights, but I doubt the Demonfolk-samas will mind."

"...That's a possibility. It should be fine to end her confinement soon. We've worked hard enough to deserve the reward of monopolizing Lunaria-sama ourselves. Let's make our escape destination Hayato's base."

"No objections!"

Thus, the unanimously approved "Operation Demon Lord Lunaria Escape" had arbitrarily involved Hayato.

Every beautiful rose has its thorns.

That is why it is a word of warning not to approach carelessly.

But if the rose itself approaches you, then that warning has no meaning.