The Demon Lord's Bride (BL)
Chapter 171: Keeping things compatible with children is hard...

Chapter 171: Keeping things compatible with children is hard...

When we got back to the oasis, the whole crowd was waiting for us eagerly. Judging from the lack of agitation, however, it was probably safe to say that they already knew that the mountain was safe. Lesta probably told them already.

The one who greeted us first, however, was Arta, who looked me up and down with judging eyes. "You’re wearing something different, Young Master."

Oh, shot! Those clothes were the ones Arta specially assembled for me. "Uh...they got burned?" I answered with a grimace.

"What?!" she widened her eyes in outrage, as if the state of my clothes was more important than the fact that I was on them when they got burnt.

"Y-Your Lordship...was Lord Salamander upset, by any chance?" one of the merchant leaders, who I recalled to be the Pathfinder’s father--asked anxiously upon hearing my reasoning.

Ah, I guessed they were still worried about that. Make sense, since they had to cross the mountain regularly.

"I’m not upset?" Ignis said loudly, making the merchant flinch and prompting the others to look in my direction in confusion.

The Salamander, an ever-dramatic one, climbed over my hood and perched there, addressing the merchants and other visitors proudly.

"I said I’m not upset!"

As the people there just blinked in confusion, the pathfinder girl gestured toward the flaming gecko on top of my head with reverence while explaining. "This is the Lord Salamander."

Needless to say that they all become flabbergasted. "Yes?"

At this, the gecko shouting loudly again. "Yes! This is the Lord Salamander. And you shall call me Ignis!"

[Ignis!]

Was this Salamander actually copying Jade? Why were all my companions liked to put punctuation at the end of their sentences? Although...I guess it was good that they were actually getting along. I was worried that Jade would be jealous, but the little bird even graciously shared my shoulder with the gecko.

"Umm..." the merchants were still confused, and were not giving Ignis the reaction that he expected, so the gecko stomped its tiny feet in annoyance and jumped off my head.

"Hmph! I’ll show yo--"

"Nope!" I caught the gecko in the air before it could transform into a full fledge Salamander, although it was already sending fire everywhere that got the merchants shrieking and the mercenaries almost branding their weapons. "Nuh-uh. Are you trying to scorch the whole settlement?!"

When I went to great lengths of educating Jade about not being an arsonist?

"But--" the gecko started to whine, wriggling in my hands that they were fully covered in flame--not burning me or anything, though.

The savior of this situation was, as expected, the Demon Lord. "It’s true. This is the legendary Salamander," Natha announced, and the gecko finally stopped fidgeting. "But using the true form will burn your whole market, so he turned into this shape to not harm you."

As expected of the Lord’s words, they reacted immediately. "Oh, Lord Salamander, forgive us for our ignorance!"

"Hmph! I told you to call me Ignis!"

"Yes, Lord Ignis,"

The gecko seemed to be pleased, and calmly climbed into my arms. And then, someone from the crowd raised her arm and asked.

"Umm...so, we can go ahead with the performance, right?"

"Yes, please proceed as usual," Natha nodded, and the crowds cheered loudly before dispersing. But each and every one of them sent their greeting to Ignis first, who was now back on perching over my shoulder--while Jade was on the other side. Soon, the oasis was filled with the sounds of life again, as the lamps were lit and the stores were operated again.

Some started to prepare the stage, and when I saw a group was about to light the bonfire, I called out to them. "I’ll do it," I raised my arms and flicked my fingers, channeling the mana influenced by Ignis’s power. The fire sparked from the center of the bonfire and licked the woods instantly in a dance of colorful flames. The surrounding demons and other spectators exclaimed in delight at the green, blue, and orange flames.

"That looks festive enough, right?" I looked at my two animal companions and Jade responded with a clap and a loud chirp while Ignis harrumphed proudly. But then, I remember that I wasn’t supposed to use any magic and looked at Natha with a gasp.

"That much is fine," he understood immediately and patted my head in reassurance. "Would you like to rest, or shall we take a look at the market?"

*gasp!*

I even got a date? Of course, the answer was obvious. "Market!"

Oh God--now I used punctuation too.

[Market!!]

"Market?"

With my yell, Jade’s chirping, and Ignis’s curiosity, Natha took us to the tents that started to be lively again, looking at the wares being sold.

Just like the others had said, the people here didn’t bother with too much formality. They remained respectful, but not overly so. While they were properly bowed at the start, they didn’t afraid to get close and personal after, talking with Natha like they were acquaintances.

I felt like I could see a glimpse of him during his adventuring days as he talked with the mercenaries and the merchants in a familiar way, asking about the places they visited before and responding as if he was already there before.

Well...perhaps he already was.

But it was also clear that the merchant revered him. Perhaps, for these merchants, the Lord who acquired his immense wealth through a new kind of business was like a godly role model. They didn’t shy away from seeking his consult about their commercial problem or asking for advice.

But every time they did so, Natha would politely decline--or rather, told them to ask him again later. Because, guess what?

"I’m on a date right now, please don’t fail my courting attempt," he said, in a playful tone and mischievous smile as he put his hand on my waist.

I wondered...if this temperature regulator coat could manage the heat creeping up my cheek as the other demons laughed teasingly at me. Pressing my lips in embarrassment, I pinched Natha’s side and nudged him to move on.

Well, at the very least, they seemed friendly enough. I thought because they often interacted with the realm of wrath, they would have more prejudice against me, the human who attacked that place. But they were pretty cordial, and thanks to Natha’s declaration, many stores started to call out our name while waving their wares, because someone on a date should buy their partner a gift, apparently.

I had to say they had a lot of interesting goods, although since it was nearly their resting season, the wares were leftover from their stock. That was why they sold it at a discount, and why many mercenaries came here to find something at a cheap price.

But I didn’t really need anything, so rather than looking for something functional, I was more interested in things that I might not be able to get anywhere else. There were a bunch of books from the human realm, crafts that were made by the realm of wrath’s tribes, and a set of clothes suitable for a desert region.

At the end of our shopping spree--with some candy for Jade and mana stones for Ignis--we got back to my very first camp.

I said it was a camp, but...the tent in which Natha took me was as big as a small cottage, sturdy, with a whole king-size bed, a sitting area with table and couch and armchairs, a desk with washbasins, and a lavish footlocker with our clothes at the foot of the bed. Furthermore, there was a large brass bathtub and a partition covering it.

What kind of camp was this?

Ah! Was this what they called ’glamping’ back on Earth?

Jade and Ignis scampered to the bed and jumped there to...I don’t know, test the buoyancy?

"What kind of performance will they do?" I asked the Demon Lord who looked at the two kids in his bed unapprovingly. I could already see he ordered Arta to make a ’special’ place for those two.

"Dancing, mainly. Perhaps a play too," Natha answered while shedding his outer coat.

Actually, I didn’t really need to change because I wore these clothes just a few hours ago, after Ignis burned all of my clothes. But...

"Can I wear the new clothes we just bought?"

It was looser than what I usually wore, and the fabric was definitely not on par in quality. But it was brightly colorful and handwoven, very different from the calm colors my wardrobe was made of. And I thought it would fit properly with the festivities.

"It’s too thin," Natha frowned slightly.

"That’s because you always clothe me in three layers," I pursed my lips. "Also, Ignis can keep me warm always."

The gecko who was bouncing on the pillow lifted its head and exclaimed loudly. "I can do that much easily."

"Ah, there’s that function too?" Natha raised his brow. I would like to pinch him for treating Ignis like a device or something, but I held back because he seemed to be contemplating a pass. "Yeah, sure. Bring the coat to be safe."

"Yes! Thank you!" I kissed his cheek and ran behind the partition to change my clothes. But Natha followed me and peeked from the edge.

"Why do you even need to hide?"

I gasped, and glared at him. "I’m not going to get naked in front of my children!"

"They already saw you naked, though."

Oh...that’s right! I clasped my cheek in belated realization as I recalled getting naked twice in front of Jade due to this druid skill.

"Also, do you even know how to put that on? Can you tie the cord?" Natha smirked teasingly.

Pursing my lips, I pulled him behind the partition quickly. "Fine--help me then."

He smirked and pulled me by my waist until our hips presses against each other. "May I help you with other things too?"

Gasping horridly, I clasped his mouth with my palm. "Not in front of my children!"

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