kscans

Chapter 60 - The Demon Lord's Resolve

The day after the battle between the Hero and the Demon Lord, Lunaria was, for some reason, in the base's dining hall drinking coffee with Esha.

"Why is Lunaria-san here?"

Today, Hayato was at the base preparing for the Clan War. He had stepped into the hallway to get an item from the storage when he heard Esha talking to someone. He couldn't hear voices from the shop, so he figured she must be talking to someone in the dining hall and went there himself.

It was three in the afternoon, Esha's snack time. For some reason, Esha and Lunaria were in the dining hall, just the two of them, eating cookies and drinking coffee. It was the very next day. Hayato's voice had a slight edge of irritation.

"Lunaria-sama seems to have come to visit. She brought us cookies as a gift. They're homemade, you know. And they're four-star. They're rare, I tell you, rare."

"Don't lie."

"No, they are definitely four-star."

"Not about that. About her coming to visit. There's no way the Demon Lord can just come over to visit, right? She's come to apologize before, but just to visit..."

Hayato was tired of many things. It was mental fatigue, but his honest feeling was that he didn't want to get involved in any more unnecessary trouble.

He figured the Hero would probably be fine.

"I'm off to find my next love!"

Ivan had said that and left with a clear expression on his face.

From now on, he wouldn't do anything that could be considered stalking Lunaria. He was a somewhat, or rather, a very problematic Hero, but he had his manly moments, so he should be able to give up completely. That's what Esha had said.

That was a relief, but even if the Hero didn't come, having the Demon Lord come over was a problem. The clan members didn't seem to mind, but what Lunaria's retainers thought was another matter entirely.

"Um, Lunaria-san, what did you come here for?"

"To visit."

"Please be more aware that you're the Demon Lord. Your retainers will get angry at you, you know?"

He didn't know what the Demon Lord usually did, but there was no way it was okay for her to come visit.

"Master, please don't be so harsh on her. Lunaria-sama is actively trying to interact with others to overcome her social anxiety. Let's watch over her growth with warm eyes. You know how it is, she's setting out on a journey of self-discovery to re-examine herself... something like that."

"She's the Demon Lord, right? She doesn't have to search, the answer is right there."

"I still have a long way to go as the Demon Lord. I want to do my best to become a Demon Lord everyone will acknowledge...!"

"You came to visit, right? What are you going to do your best at?"

Having said that much, Hayato sighed. It was probably useless to say anything more. He had already reached a state of resignation.

There would probably be various problems with the Demon Lord being here, but time is finite. To be frank, he hadn't prepared for the Clan War at all this time. He hadn't made many highest quality potions, and he didn't have the food ready either.

(The Clan War is in less than two weeks. I can't afford to lose here. I can't bear the thought of losing because I ran out of time.)

Hayato renewed his resolve and decided to return to his room.

However, as he was about to leave, Lunaria stopped him with a "Wait." He couldn't just ignore her, so Hayato turned to face her.

"Um, what is it?"

"I want you to let me join the clan."

"No, thank you."

Although she had the advantage in equipment, Lunaria was strong enough to defeat the Hero. She would undoubtedly be a valuable asset in battle, but there were too many hassles. Hayato judged that the demerits were likely greater.

Lunaria looked shocked by Hayato's immediate refusal, her face on the verge of tears. But she seemed to steel herself and spoke again.

"I-I want you to let me join the clan...!"

She hadn't added any new selling points, but her firm will came through. With no other choice, Hayato decided to hear her out.

Honestly, he didn't want to let the troublesome Lunaria in, no matter how strong she was, but he felt it would be rude to reject her earnest plea without hearing her out.

For now, he sat down in the chair next to Esha, just to show he was willing to listen.

"Um, may I ask why?"

"It's a thank you for winning against the Hero with the Arondight you repaired. And I've caused you trouble. Esha-chan told me I have to take responsibility, and I want to apologize by joining the clan. It's not for me to say, but I'm strong. If I join the clan, our combat power will definitely increase. I recommend it."

Well, you are the Demon Lord, he thought, but didn't say it out loud.

"By the way, do your retainers know about this?"

"It's my own decision."

"Why do you look a little proud of that? The Gothic Lolita-san from yesterday will get angry, you know?"

"It's okay. That girl was grateful to Hayato. She won't complain even if I join this clan."

"Grateful? Why?"

"She's grateful that you stood in front of the Hero for her."

He felt like he had done something unnecessary, but he decided to think positively that it was better than being resented.

There were many other retainers, so he asked if they would be okay with it, but Lunaria declared with a determined snort, "I will persuade them as their Demon Lord," so Hayato had no reason left to refuse.

Besides, even if he tried to stop her by force, it seemed like Lunaria would push her way into the clan anyway. There was no system that allowed someone to join a clan without permission, but she had an air about her that made him feel she just might.

He had talked to the clan members before about letting the Demon Lord in, and he hadn't heard anything negative. And the Hero, Ivan, probably wouldn't be bothering them anymore.

Lunaria was the Demon Lord. She would definitely be a valuable asset. It might be difficult for her to coordinate with Ash and the others, but if she was strong on her own, it wouldn't be a problem.

Hayato thought about it from various angles, but since the various problems seemed to have been cleared, he made his final decision.

"Alright. Then, Lunaria-san, I'll have you join the clan. I'm counting on you for the next Clan War, so I'm looking forward to working with you."

"I will do my best as the Demon Lord."

(Please don't do your best in a weird direction...)

As Hayato was thinking that, Esha grinned slyly. That was not a good grin, and Hayato became wary.

"As expected of my master. To think you would make the Demon Lord your subordinate. This is as good as conquering the world. Shall we declare war on all nations?"

"We're not doing that."

(If I did that, I'd probably be checkmated in this game... I guess I could roleplay as a demon lord, but I don't want to.)

"I will do my best as the Demon Lord."

"Lunaria-san, you're doing your best in the Clan War, not at world domination, okay?"

(I think Esha is joking, but I feel like Lunaria-san might actually take it seriously... Oh well, for now, I should introduce her to everyone.)

Hayato contacted everyone and told them to gather at the base.