Welcome to the Special-Grade Guild! ~ The Beloved Elf Poster Girl Soothes Everyone’s Hearts ~
Chapter 151

151. Let’s Go To Demon Castle! (Part 2)

We rode in Dad’s car to Demon Castle. Apparently, Dad can recreate anything from his memories, except living things… What a cheat ability.

But there seem to be limitations, like he has to have touched it, and for machines and weapons, he needs to understand the structure to some extent, or he can create them but not use them. Dad used to work at a company that dealt with car parts, so it’s a breeze for him… Still, the car he created wasn’t a luxury car, but a very common one that we used at home. That’s so like Dad, I thought. Well, I get that it’s better to use something you’re familiar with!

“You could just fly there, Ash.”

“Now, now, don’t say that. It’s been a while since I’ve ridden in Eugene’s ‘car,’ so let me enjoy it too.”

The two in the front were bantering like this. They really do get along! By the way, I’m sitting in the back seat behind Dad! In a safe and secure child seat!! Ugh…!

“Meg-sama, look, you can see them. The demons who have come to welcome you.”

As I was groaning to myself, Kron-san, who had become much more casual with me over the years, told me this with her usual awkward smile. I followed where she was pointing with my eyes and… I unintentionally let out a “whoa.”

“She’s here! Meg-sama!!”

“Let us see your face!”

“What a strange vehicle… As expected of the Demon King’s friend, Eugene-sama!”

I could feel their incredible enthusiasm…! I glanced at Dad’s eyes in the rearview mirror and saw him furrowing his brow. It’s not that he hates it, though. He just doesn’t know how to react, right? Yeah, I get it… I feel like I’m making the same face right now.

“Eugene. Remember your promise.”

“…I got it!”

In response to the Demon King’s words, Dad reluctantly made the top part of the car disappear. Eh, you can do that!? This was just a normal car, but in an instant, it turned into a convertible! Thanks to that, we were completely exposed! And the cheers got even louder.

I couldn’t ignore their cheers, so I did my best to smile and kept waving.

“I’m tiwed…”

“You did great, Meg-sama.”

When we finally entered Demon Castle and reached a place where the surrounding cheers couldn’t be heard, I leaned against Kron-san, who was sitting next to me. Kron-san kindly supported me, patting my head and praising me. So gentle.

“After a short break, I’ll give you a tour of the castle.”

“Yes, pwease.”

The Demon King said this with a wry smile, looking at me as I was exhausted. He seemed fine, maybe because he was used to smiling and waving like this. Hmm, being the Demon King is tough…! I wonder if I’ll ever get used to it? I don’t think I could… Thinking about that made me a little depressed.

Well, time to explore Demon Castle! I had imagined Demon Castle to be more ominous, but of course, it wasn’t. It had a Western-style exterior that looked like it came out of a fairy tale, and the interior was decorated with expensive-looking vases and paintings. As a commoner, I walked around terrified of touching and breaking something.

Dad, sensing this, laughed and told me that magic had been cast on them so they wouldn’t break even if I dropped them… But you should have told me that sooner! I wasn’t wrong to be angry!

The Demon King’s Castle was honestly too big to see everything at once! So for now, we decided to go to the pride of Demon Castle, the garden. Kron-san left to prepare tea in the garden, so it was just the three of us, the Demon King, Dad, and me. On the way, the two adults started talking, so I quietly listened to their conversation.

“I heard the Demon Kingdom has settled down quite a bit recently.”

“Eugene, that may be true compared to before, but there are still many problems.”

“…Slaves, huh?”

“That is indeed the biggest problem.”

The slave issue. Apparently, in the Demon Kingdom, there’s a secret trade going on behind the scenes, sending humans and other rare demi-humans to the human continent. Even though it’s quite far, the Demon Kingdom is the closest to the human continent.

It’s an underground trade, but most of the slaves are criminals, and there aren’t any clearly questionable dealings like in the Nemo days. On this side, at least.

Apparently, the problem is that it’s not like that on the human side. In other words, kidnapped children and such are being sold… It’s unforgivable. But it’s a difficult issue because it’s a distant land and they’ve decided on mutual non-interference.

Seeing them worry and agonize over such things makes me realize that the Demon King is also a king of a country. And then I think that I could never do it, and my heart sinks.

This is also something I often worry about. Haa…

“Meg, you’re worrying again, aren’t you?”

Maybe noticing my state, the Demon King asked this, narrowing his eyes. I unintentionally choked up, but I honestly nodded.

“Meg, you don’t know the world yet. It’s true that you are the next Demon King. That can’t be changed, no matter how much you struggle.”

That’s right. I’m the next Demon King. It’s usually determined by ability, but I know this can’t be changed since I’ve inherited the Demon King’s blood. I unconsciously looked down, and suddenly felt a floating sensation. Before I knew it, the Demon King’s handsome face was right in front of me. Ahh!

“However, it’s also unchangeable that you decide your own life. No one is telling you to make up your mind right now, or to decide what to do.”

The Demon King walked slowly through the garden, carrying me, and when he reached an open area with a fancy table, he sat down on a chair and placed me on his lap.

“Even I hated becoming the Demon King, it was terrifying, and I ran away. That’s why I saw things I hadn’t seen before. I lost a lot, and what I gained was minuscule, but I still found something like an answer. Even though I’m so immature, the number of people supporting me has increased.”

Dad sat in the chair across from us, giving me a gentle look. When I looked up at the Demon King again, he had a slightly sad expression.

“Meg, you will live a long life from now on. …And you’re still young. The people you’re close to now will leave before you. But don’t be too pessimistic.”

My chest twinged. That’s what I fear the most. My lifespan is incredibly long. Even Mara-san and the others, who have a similar lifespan, have lived much longer than me, so unless there’s an accident or illness, I’ll inevitably be left behind.

“You attract people. In your long life, you’ll form new bonds, and your circle will expand. Don’t worry, we’re not your only family. There must be a family waiting for you, one you haven’t met yet, one that hasn’t even been born.”

There will be partings, but there will also be new encounters, the Demon King seemed to say. I glanced at Dad and saw him with the same sad but gentle eyes as the Demon King.

“…But it’s still lonely and sad, no matter what.”

I understand, but it’s unknown and scary because I haven’t met them yet. As I was dejectedly dropping my shoulders, a large, warm hand patted my head.

“That’s right. It’s okay to feel that way now. It’s also lonely if no one grieves for you.”

Dad said this with a wry smile.

“Indeed, the current world is peaceful. Therefore, this is also a distant future. I don’t intend to tell you to prepare yourself now. It’s okay to take it slowly.”

The Demon King said this and gently sat me down on the chair next to him.

“For now, just purely enjoy my proud Demon Kingdom. Try talking to various people. That’s all you need to do.”

The Demon King’s smile as he said this was very refreshing and full of confidence.

I hope I can smile like that someday. Thinking this, I took a sip of the tea Kron-san had brought at just the right time and took a deep breath.