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

32. Eavesdropping

“In the morning, I’m Tora-san, and in the afternoon, I’m Noel-san. Master is a sex monster, isn’t he?”

“Please choose your words more carefully.”

As soon as I returned to my room at the inn, Durandal started talking to me like this. It’s frustrating that I can’t strongly deny it.

It’s already late at night, and I’ve been Noel for a long time. I’m impressed with myself for being able to keep up the conversation. From what I’ve gathered, Noel’s love is heavy, and I’ve been asked for it multiple times. I’m naturally late because I’m responding to it. Did Durandal hear my intimate moments with Noel? It’s no wonder he’s complaining.

I pour magic into the magical tool on my desk, brightening up the room, and have Durandal sit down in a chair.

“So, how was it?”

“It was just as Master suspected. Part of the scabbard’s decoration was replaced with an eavesdropping magical tool. The current dwarven technology is amazing, isn’t it? They can make it so small and in the shape of a jewel.”

“I’m impressed by the dwarves’ ambition.”

I mentioned this to Durandal on our way back. It’s likely that we’re being eavesdropped on. There was no response, but it seems he checked his body for any abnormalities until we arrived at the inn. When I looked at the decorated part, I could faintly feel the magic.

It seems this is an eavesdropping magical tool.

Noel’s words, which knew too much about our situation, made me worried, and I considered the possibility of eavesdropping. As far as I know, there’s no magic that can see or hear from far away.

There was no feeling of being attached to someone, so the only possibility was eavesdropping. It seems I was right on the money. I wish it wasn’t the case.

“Is it Noel-san who put this on?”

“It’s likely, considering the flow.”

“Should we remove it?”

“No, it’s better not to hide things from Noel. Let’s leave it as it is.”

Durandal’s voice sounded dissatisfied. Our conversations are always being heard by Noel. From Durandal’s perspective, it’s annoying that we can’t have a private conversation just between us.

Still, I think it’s not good to remove the eavesdropping magical tool. To be honest, it’s unpleasant to be eavesdropped on. But if the other party is Noel, I should be the one to yield.

I’ve already done something unfaithful as Noel’s fiancé. If I remove the eavesdropping magical tool, it would be like hiding something from Noel, and they might suspect something. I don’t want to hurt Noel’s feelings.

I want to keep Noel happy and satisfied, like they were on the bed. I don’t want their expression to become like a Noh mask again and be forced into a situation. This time, it might really give me trauma.

I’ve already made up my mind. From now on, I’ll be faithful to Noel as their fiancé. I want to be honest with them.

“I think it’s unpleasant to be eavesdropped on, but if you think it’s for my sake, I’ll yield and appreciate it.”

“Master… I understand. Anyway, it’s already known to Noel-san that I can talk, so let’s yield here.”

“Sorry, Durandal.”

“It’s okay. Master, from now on, please only love Noel-san. Try not to do things that will make them hold a grudge, like your previous master did.”

“I’ll do that too. I don’t want to betray Noel.”

“Master, please don’t make me worry again. I don’t want to be stabbed and left somewhere like I was with Takashi-san!”

Durandal’s sincere wish is pitiful. It seems the experience of being turned into a magic tool by Takashi-san still hurts him. He was stuck in the Reguilles ruins for 500 years, and it’s likely no one visited him until I came.

───Noel is not a demon king. Various things happened, but I’ve learned that fact, so I can say my initial goal has been achieved. It’s a big relief that I don’t have to worry about Darl’s secret anymore. I was going to hide the fact that Noel is a half-demon, but it was pointless since we were being eavesdropped on.

After that, I talked to Noel, and they said, “You’re an important friend, right? Then I’ll overlook the fact that you have demon blood.” So it seems I’m safe for now.

The impact of Darl’s secret being revealed would affect me too, and I don’t want that to happen. In other words, it’s not good if Darl’s secret gets out.

Now that I’ve recognized this, my stomach hurts.

Well, the problem with Noel has been solved, but the current issue is Tora-san and Darl.

Now that I’ve officially become Noel’s fiancé, I can’t respond to their good intentions. Noel said it’s okay, but I personally don’t want to do something unfaithful.

Should I clearly tell them? Honestly, I don’t know how they’ll react. As for Tora-san, I’ve already had a physical relationship with them twice. I should take that seriously.

If Tora-san hits me, I think I’ll really die. Will they laugh it off and forgive me? Considering Tora-san’s personality, I think they might just let it go.

The problem is Darl. She’s determined to marry me. From Darl’s perspective, the fact that I’ve become Noel’s fiancé is unacceptable. It’s okay if she’s angry with me, but if she starts arguing with Noel, it’ll be a real mess.

How can I resolve this cleanly?

“‘Just hug everyone and love them equally, and it’ll be fine!'”

I received a strange signal. I think it’s definitely different. Who is it now? Is it Takeshi-san?

I love everyone equally. That’s impossible. I don’t think I can do it. Somewhere, dissatisfaction will accumulate and explode in the future.

“Do you think we should tell Daru and Tra-san about it?”

“If Noel-san publicly announces that Master is her fiancé, it will eventually be exposed. I think it’s better to say it, but not now.”

“Should we not say it for now?”

“Yes. I think we’ll be fighting against Clovikus and the Four Heavenly Kings soon. It will undoubtedly affect that battle. If we’re not careful, either Daru-san or Tra-san, or both, might leave the party.”

“That’s troublesome.”

“Noel-san also knows that, so I don’t think she’ll announce it immediately. I recommend revealing it after the battle against the demon tribe is over.”

“That’s right, I’ll do that.”

It’s meaningful to talk to Durandal like this. Noel might be eavesdropping on our conversation right now. If she heard our conversation, she would realize that announcing her engagement to me would be awkward.

It’s a bad way to put it, but I’m using eavesdropping as a deterrent.

This way, I can avoid dealing with this problem for a while. I also want to focus on the battle against Clovikus and the Four Heavenly Kings. They’re not easy opponents.

“I forgot to tell Noel about the Four Heavenly Kings.”

“I think she’s already taken care of it, considering she was listening to our conversation with Sasha-san.”

That’s true. It’s convenient that I don’t have to say it. Although it’s not something to be praised, it’s eavesdropping. I feel again that Noel’s love is heavy.

I also need to be careful with my conversations with Durandal. I have to assume that Noel is listening. It’s a hassle, but I think of Noel’s smile and give up.

“Durandal, can you tell me about the 4th generation demon king, ‘Rondalgiar’, that Takeshi-san fought?”

“Rondalgiar? Well, it’s not a problem, but what’s up?”

“I was thinking that if we knew something about the 5th generation demon king, it might help us.”

“Silvy’s problem also existed, so the 5th generation demon king’s information was being kept secret. The heroes fought it, but almost no information remains.”

That’s what’s bothering me. I’ve been investigating, but there’s just too little information. I don’t even know the demon king’s name.

I can’t deny the feeling of being stuck.

“The 4th generation Rondalgiar was a half-demon, half-dragon person.”

“A dragon person? I’ve never heard of that race.”

“They were almost wiped out by humans and elves, so there are very few survivors left.”

───It’s those humans and elves again.