7th Demon Prince Jilbagias’ Chronicle of Demon Kingdom Toppling

Chapter 45

４５． Pet Dog And Master

A demon race youth swaggering proudly as if he owned the place in the residential area of the night elf.

Eerily twisted horn, perfectly sculpted body, well ordered face, and lastly his arrogant smile――

His name was demon prince Jilbagias. He completely ignored the friendly but distant look on the night elves’ face, rather, he looked so elated.

In his arms was the high-elf saint, Liliana whose limbs were amputated.

Though she hobbled on all four stumps by herself to leave the underground prison along with Jilbagias, she turned 180 once they entered the residential area. Her body turned rigid once she got exposed to the hatred and scorn filled line of sight from so many night elves.

Thus, Jilbagias had no choice but to carry her in his arms. But since that was not enough to cure her fear of the night elves, she buried her face on Jilbagias’ face.

Behind the two, there was a man who followed them with a faint smile on his face, Shidar.

「What’s happening here?」「Are you sure about releasing the『Saint』?」「Why in the world is the prince walking out with the high-elf in his arms?」 That was what the peanut gallery of night elves asked either with their eye signal or with movement of their lips but―― Shidar replied to none of them, just giving them a profound smile.

（Well then―― Now is the matter with whom I have to make a connection…）

Shidar started to ponder about that matter as they walked. He thought about how to use his newfound position to his advantage. Since he would be blamed for sure for letting go of the saint, and it might be followed by false accusation and some other reason to strip him off his current position. But as a result, he ended up with an even more important position than a mere prison warden.

The night elfs were more united compared to the demon race but they were still divided by faction. Even a mere exchanging glance was enough to see who was close and who was hostile toward him. Some even shifted their gaze from Shidar as if sneering at him for this blunder but―― They would come to regret their action once they knew Shidar’s newfound position.

And then, Vigne who followed behind Shidar had not thought about her newfound position at all. She who replied nonchalantly with――「The prince took a liking to the saint」, was in fact put in charge of the negotiation for the quota of the treatment.

She had yet to understand the weight of her newfound position.

（Why… Are they looking at me like that…）

Vigne was an excellent maid and first class hunter but she belonged to the part of the night elfs who were weak at scheming, otherwise known as muscle head.

According to Shidar’s uncle, 「She is too much of an honest and naive girl.」. Yes, her honesty was something that never appeared among the night elves. She was an excellent but useless piece. In addition, Vigne herself was fully aware that she was a useless 『Piece』 but――

（Things are getting really troublesome…）

The situation was as depressing as she imagined. For example, even if Shidar’s duty was to give direction for the prince’s treatment, everyone could still use Vigne to make some leeway. And this kind of tactic was one of the night elf’s forte, and most favored one. Though Vigne was useless in that regard.

（I have… Had enough of this…）

Vigne decided to be on guard in order to prevent herself from getting caught in that kind of trick. Making her stress level shoot through the roof. Even though the person herself only wanted to serve Jilbagias and Archduchess Platyfia…

（I’m a maid. Just a MAID…）

That’s why she hated her newfound position.

Since Shidar was only grinning without saying anything, the peanut gallery turned their attention to Vigne, asking her to explain the situation, only to see her expressionless face.

The saint who should be held captive in the underground prison was released from her binds, and then brought out by none other than the prince himself―― A strange spectacle that was strange enough to catch the attention of the night elves in the residential district and made them gather in record breaking time.

「――――」

「…」

「――?」

「…!」

The night elves were talking among themselves with eye signals or lip reading while looking at the scantily clad saint with disgusted faces. Despite their heated discussion, the place where they gathered was so quiet to the point that they could hear the sound of needles dropping on the ground. It was such a strange situation――

Except for their young and innocent childrens who had yet to learn anything.

「Mama~! That person is nake~d!」

A young night elf’s kid spoke loudly while pointing at Liliana in Jilbagias’ arms.

「DON’T LOOK! IT’S A FILTHY HIGH ELF!!」

The mother pulled the child’s hand in a hurry and left the place. The parents of the other childrens did the same.

「Filthy~?」

「High e~lf?」

The clueless and innocent young children could only tilt their head in puzzlement hearing those unfamiliar words.

They didn’t feel aversion or disgust when they saw the trembling saint.

Maybe that was the only redeemable fact about this particular area.

But then, even their innocence would be repainted tonight after they received “Education” from their parents―― Turning the innocent children into other irredeemable fools.

†††

Jilbagias and co left the night elf’s residential area, sent off by Shidar who bowed respectfully at them.

Without the hostile gaze, Liliana regained her cheerful nature. Just like a puppy who saw the light of the day for the first time, she happily hobbled around Jilbagias while looking at the night sky outside of the window――

In spite of the gazes from the employees of the other tribe or the demon race soldiers, Jilbagias ignored all of them and walked boldly back to his own room with his new “Pet”.

「Welcome back maste――er?」

Garounya’s body and voice stiffened on the spot the moment she saw the one who came with Jilbagias.

That was only natural. Her master who came out a while ago returned with a rather exotic pet(?)…

「… Jilbagias-sama. What is that?」

After fixing her monocle, making sure that she saw it right, Sofia asked Jilbagias with a cold, piercing gaze that sent a chill running down into his spine.

「I took it since I liked it. Starting from today, she’s my pet.」

――Normally speaking, one would usually have made a slightly awkward expression when saying such an audacious remark but, Jilbagias said those words without even batting an eye. Seeing that, Sofia’s brow frowned.

「Ask Vigne for the details.」

When Vigne became the focus of attention again―― She really wished that she could vanish from the Jilbagias’ room.

「Well, I’ll 『Have fun』 after this.」

「Have… Fun, is it?」

「Yeah.」

Jilbagias held Liliana in princess carry, and threw her onto his bed after he kissed her forehead.

「U~? Woof woof!」

Instead of panicking, Liliana started to frolic in Jilbagias’ soft bedding instead.

「Well since I’m going to enjoy her tonight… May I ask everyone to “Kindly” leave my room?」

Jilbagias revealed a perverted grin as he took off his jacket.

「E… EH!? EEEEEEEEH!?」

That remark snapped Garounya from her stiffened state, making the fur on her tail stand to its’ end, becoming even more confused than before.

「Jilbagias… Sama?」

Sofia was equally bewildered, wondering just what happened to Jilbagias in the last few hours.

「…」

Vigne had already gone beyond unnoticed, she wished that she could vanish from that place.

Even the other employees were bewildered to see Jilbagias… Which was clearly acting unlike his usual self.

「And Sofia. Don’t forget to use a soundproof barrier to cover my room.」

「Eh, ah. Okay, I understand…」

「You might be confused about this situation but, Vigne will explain the details for you. Well then everyone, shoo shoo.」

Seeing Jilbagias already touching his belt, everyone rushed out of his room in a hurry. 「What’s happening here, I demand an explanation, Vi――」 Said Garounya with a shrill voice but, her voice cut off as the door of the room closed and the soundproof barrier used on Jilbagias’ room.

「… Ku~n?」

Liliana cocking her head cutely seeing Jilbagias who patted her head as he laid by her side.

「… Farewell. The current me, and you too.」

Jilbagias revealed an ephermeal smile while poking on Liliana’s cheek.

（I’m something that was born within that prison after all.）

The demon prince Jilbagias was born in that prison after the real Jilbagias, whose real name was Alexander, sealed his own ego for the sake of acting.

（And then, at the same time as my sealed ego returning, the current 『Me』 will die.）

Jilbagias understood his current situation due to his conversation with the demon god in him. The fact that he was a temporary ego created after sealing Alexander’s ego. The person himself accepted that fact.

――And enjoyed playing his role as a stand-in actor.

（I have already did everything I can but, will my 『Real』 self be satisfied with my job?）

『Rest assured, you did a really great job here.』

The demon god, Antendixis replied to Jilbagias’ monologue.

（Hahaha. I wonder if he’s going to be frustated when he saw 『My』 stunt back then?）

『Even I who watched over you have to say that I really enjoyed the show. Regrettably, we have no choice but to part ways.』

（… This is, enjoyable? Won’t the real me be cursing at the current me for real then?）

Jilbagias enjoyed the supple texture of the high elf skin. The Liliana in question purring as he tickled her side.

『You might be able to gain enormous power but… I think the real you is gonna try to commit suicide by ramming his head into the wall after this.』

（That guy might not be able to bear the truth. Well, please do help me tell him. This is the result of a long and tough negotiation but, it doesn’t really matter for me since I’m just temporary bench-in actor for the 『Real』 me.）

『I’m looking forward to his reaction… Well then, see ya, Jilbagias.』

Thus, the taboo magic got released.

…

「…」

The memory of what happened so far rushed in at once.

It felt like my head was struck so many times with a hammer, as if something was trying to change it by force.

「Seriously… Just what in the hell is that me doing!?」

I MEAN WHAT THE HELL! WHY SHOULD I, OF ALL PEOPLE, HAVE TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR HEALING THE FU*CKING NIGHT ELF WITH TRANSPOSE CURSE!!!

EVEN UNDER NORMAL SITUATION, USING THAT ON MY OWN BODY WAS SO FU*CKING PAINFUL!!

『Ooooh, you seemed to have become more lively as soon as you returned!』

Ante was laughing her ass off inside my body. This bi*tch, she seems to be enjoying this situation…!

That moment, I felt Liliana moving lightly.

… Oh crap. This woman’s memory had also been unsealed.

Though I had the silver lining for bringing her out of the night elves’ fortress, when she snapped out and realized that she was buck naked in my embrace, adding to the memory of the dog, she might have killed me for real.

Well, it might be trivial matter after she experienced numerous unspeakable torture from the night elf but―― This particular memory was definitely the worst of all. Not to mention that she was my acquaintance in the previous life.

「… Uhm, about this situation. Sorry but the situation called for it… Are you okay now?」

I sent sidelong glance at Liliana’s face as I asked her and――

「… Ku~n?」

Liliana looked at me with a puzzled face.

「… Uhm, Liliana-san? I have already erected soundproof barrier, there’s no need for you to keep acting like a dog you know?」

「Woof!」

「Lili… Ana?」

「Woofwoof!」

Oi, ANTE!

YOUR MAGIC AIN’T DISPELLED!

『For your information, I already released her…』

And yet, Ante was just as surprised as me.