It Seems That the Demon King Is Among the Members of the Hero’s Party

24. Love Brain

It seems I’m meant to be with Darl.

I won’t try to deny it. There’s a difference in our thoughts, but it’s a fact that I have good feelings towards Darl.

My good feelings towards him are stronger as a friend rather than romantic feelings, but it’s human nature to change.

If I’m happy to receive his good feelings directly, that’s already a no-go.

I was happy about Sasha’s good feelings towards me, too. Am I not a piece of trash? It’s not an exaggeration to call me trash!

If things continue like this, I’ll become the kind of trash that makes lovely girls cry.

I should face their good feelings sincerely. But I also need to do something about the demon king’s business. My stomach hurts.

Takeshi-san, you were stabbed by the thorns of infatuation, right? It’s likely that I’ll end up the same way, so please teach me how to deal with it if you can.

I want to consult with Durandal right away, but Darl is looking at me with concern right now.

“Are you okay, Kairu? You look like you’re in pain.”

“I’m fine. I just have a little anxiety. I must have shown it on my face.”

“Do you have anxiety? If so, why don’t you tell me about it? My mom said that not hiding secrets from each other and talking things through is the key to a harmonious marriage!”

We’re already talking like a married couple.

I refused, didn’t I? I said it was because the demon tribe’s problems needed to be solved first, but that was just an excuse.

I feel like I said it wrong. I should correct myself now. If I don’t, it’ll be too late.

“Dalfiar, we’re not married yet.”

“Kairu has good feelings towards me, and I also have good feelings towards Kairu. Once the demon tribe’s problems are solved, we’ll become partners. It’s good to practice now, don’t you think?”

“I’m sorry. It’s my fault for not being clear. You can be angry if you want.”

I said I have good feelings towards Dalfiar, but it means I have good feelings towards him as a friend, not romantically.

“Hmm.”

Her happy face changed to an unhappy one.

Did I make a mistake? No, I need to deny it clearly here. Attack, me!

“I might come to like Dalfiar in the future, but I don’t know yet. I’m sorry.”

I bowed my head and apologized. If necessary, I’ll even grovel on the ground.

It’s okay even if I get hit. Do as you like, Darl.

Has it been around 30 seconds? Darl didn’t say anything and didn’t move. I got worried and looked up to see an unhappy face.

“Kairu, I’m unhappy.”

“It’s my fault, sorry.”

“But I’ll forgive you. I’m patient, after all!

If you don’t know if you like me yet, then I’ll make you like me!”

“You might not come to like me, though.”

“You already haveImageContextgood feelings towards me as a friend, don’t you? Then you should know my good qualities. Now, I’ll show you my charm as a woman!”

Darl laughed, putting her hand on her waist, and said “Hah hah hah.” It’s her usual tone.

It’s not 100 points, but at least the misunderstanding has been cleared up. That’s 60 points, I suppose. It’s much better than not denying it at all.

I can’t imagine what Toru and Sasha would do if I didn’t deny it, and that’s scary.

By the way, I forgot to tell Darl something important. I need to share it with her soon.

“Dalfiar, changing the subject, I have something to say to you.”

“Hmm? Are you going to say words of love to me?”

“Sorry, but it’s different.”

“So…?”

She pouted, looking dissatisfied.

To be honest, she’s quite the romantic. Our goal is supposed to be defeating the Demon King, but…

Am I the only one taking this seriously? I want to believe it’s not the case.

“I went to the church to meet Noelle today.”

“Noelle, huh? Is she doing well? I was worried about her since she’s been cooped up for so long.”

“Yeah, she seemed fine. We shared some information, and we decided to leave the town in five days.”

“So, did you find out something?”

“Yeah. We finally got a lead on Crovicas’s whereabouts. Noelle is sorting out the information now, and we’re going to gather at the church the day before to decide on our next move.”

“Crovicas, huh…”

Her well-shaped eyebrows rose. It seems she doesn’t have a good impression of Crovicas, either.

In her case, she might have some feelings towards Beriel.

After all, she’s a half-demon, half-human child, just like the ones who were killed. She must have been shown the harsh reality of the conflict between demons and humans.

From now on, Darl will have to confront his demonic heritage. If possible, I want to keep that hidden from him.

I don’t want Darl to be unhappy, and more importantly, it’s for the sake of the king (my stomach-ache friend) and me.

“And there’s one more thing. Sasha and I got some information that we need to share with Noelle.”

“Is it about the Four Heavenly Kings?”

“Yeah, that’s right. We heard from an information broker that they’ve spotted one of the Four Heavenly Kings.”

“I heard it too!”

“Really?”

It seems that drunken information broker was all over the place. Did Darl also get the information from him after buying him a drink?

Anyway, it’s a relief that we can skip the explanation. I’ll just ask to confirm. If the information matches, I think we can trust the information broker’s story.

“Will you tell me about the Four Heavenly Kings’ information you got?”

“Ah, sure thing.”

It’s the same information as mine: one of the Four Heavenly Kings, ‘Red Dragon’ Drake, was spotted in the Dekee Mountains.

“The information I got said that ‘Undead Queen’ Silvy Empire was seen in the Reg Legacy Ruins in Kremaltas.”

That’s new information. It’s a familiar name in a familiar place.

Wait, isn’t that the information about Silvy being released because I pulled out Durandal? No, didn’t they say the seal was already broken? Is that true? Tell me, Durandal.

Since Darl is here, won’t you answer me?

Is there no possibility of it being a rumor? Let’s verify the truth first.

“Can we trust that information?”

“Ah, it’s from our country’s intelligence unit. They’ve already informed Kremaltas about it.”

“I see.”

The information about Drake is probably more accurate. They’d go so far as to inform Kremaltas about it. They must have thoroughly verified the truth.

In other words, Silvy is indeed in Kremaltas. If the information about Drake being in the Dekee Mountains is also true, it’s a bad situation.

It means the Four Heavenly Kings, who we couldn’t get any information on until now, have started making their move. Are the demons planning something big?

What should we do, and where should we start responding?

Krolikas can’t be let go. But the strength of the Four Heavenly Kings, which is often heard in fairy tales, is not something to be taken lightly. The number of opponents who can counter them is limited.

“Dar, the information we’ve obtained is that Red Dragon’s Drake was spotted in the Dekei Mountains.”

“Hmm, does that mean we’ve found two of the Four Heavenly Kings at the same time?”

“That’s what it means. After organizing Noel’s information, our next battle will likely be a tough one. Make sure to prepare thoroughly and be ready to depart in 5 days.”

“Got it, I understand!”

I’ve told Dar. Now it’s Torasan’s turn. It’s a bit late to go today, so I’ll visit his room tomorrow morning. He’s an early riser, so I’ll be able to meet him if I go to his room.

“Can I stay by your side until Kail falls asleep?”

“It’s fine, but please return to your room when he falls asleep.”

“Can’t we sleep together?”

He’s gazing up at me with a sweet expression. I think it’s cute. But I mustn’t give in to this temptation.

I must keep my reason!

“My reason can’t take it, so please forgive me.”

“It’s okay to attack me if you want.”

“Let’s do it officially after we start dating.”

Dar looks dissatisfied. I really apologize.

If we get physically involved, it’ll be a non-stop journey to marriage, won’t it?

That’s not what I’m concerned about right now.

Let’s organize the information first? We haven’t gotten a clear grasp of the Demon King’s evidence, but we can narrow down the number of suspects.

The demon tribe is making a big move. Let’s narrow down the candidates before that. I think the Demon King will also make a move according to the demon tribe’s actions…

“Kail, then can I have a kiss?”

For now, the girl in front of me seems different. I don’t want a Demon King with a lovesick brain like this.

“Let’s do it officially after we start dating.”

Dar lets out a dissatisfied voice at my response, and I can’t help but sigh.

It’s not until I fall asleep, but until Dar is satisfied, I’ll have to keep her company.

“Master might end up like the previous Master,” Durandal said after Dar left, maintaining his silence.

──It seems Takeshi-san got into a huge fight with 4 women and became quite the ladies’ man.

Takeshi!