Chapter 13
──That night, in the throne room of the Demon Lord's Castle──
"Thor-dono made a 'Storage Box'!?"
Kelv's shout echoed through the throne room.
The masked Demon Lord Lukie admonished him,
"Don't suddenly shout, Kelv. You startled me."
"I was the one who was startled! Your Majesty, you know about the 'Storage Box' used by the Heroes, don't you!?"
"I do. It is the Skill for storing large numbers of items. It seems to have been called by various names, such as 'Storage Box,' 'Item Box,' and 'Storage Space.'"
"Yes. That was one of the reasons the Heroes from another world were so powerful."
Kelv remembered the oral traditions passed down by successive chancellors through the generations.
They naturally included information about the Heroes' 'Storage Boxes.'
Heroes summoned from another world could take vast numbers of items out of thin air or from a small bag.
To the demonfolk who fought them, that was a terrifying threat.
They were impossible to deal with. Just when it seemed a Hero was empty-handed, a greatsword would suddenly appear, or just when they thought they had wounded one, the Hero would pull a huge number of Potions from a small bag.
'When you see a Hero, assume at least a hundred items will come out.'
That was a proverb still passed down throughout the Demon Lord's Territory.
"To begin with, the 'Storage Box' was such a rare ability that even some Heroes did not possess it."
"I know. My father used to say that if every Hero had possessed one, the demonfolk might have been wiped out..."
"And Thor-dono created that terrifying 'Storage Box'...?"
Chancellor Kelv felt the blood drain from his face.
"This is a grave matter, Your Majesty! We must prevent Thor-dono from monopolizing the 'Storage Box' at all costs!!"
"I think that will be all right, Kelv."
"Why is that!?"
"He said he would make one for Mabel and me as well."
Thunk.
Kelv reflexively struck his forehead against a pillar.
"W-what happened, Kelv!?"
"...He'll make them. The Heroes' 'Storage Boxes' for Your Majesty and Mabel. The very concept of rare items in this world is breaking down... What will become of the Demon Lord's Territory from here on?"
"Now, calm down, Kelv."
"I'm sorry. I lost my composure."
"No, I apologize for startling you as well. Thor asked me to tell you about it too, Kelv."
"Me?"
"Thor said, 'As the Demon Lord's personal Alchemist, I want to do things properly.'"
Demon Lord Lukie declared this with a radiant expression.
"And Thor promised to stand with our Demon Lord's Territory. Those were very weighty words. That is why I have decided to try trusting him."
"Yes. I, too, believe Thor-dono is worthy of trust."
Kelv shook his head as if pulling himself together, then nodded.
"He handed over the 'Foot Bath' he made without hesitation, after all."
"Indeed. He's... that sort of person."
Demon Lord Lukie swung both legs back and forth from her throne.
"He's such a troublesome person. I've never met a human like him. Honestly, I can't take my eyes off him. He really is a troublesome fellow! Yes!"
"Your Majesty."
"What is it, Kelv?"
"Has something happened between you and Thor-dono?"
"...Nothing has happened."
"No, it just seemed strange how unusually good your mood was, Your Majesty."
"I merely had an ordinary conversation with Thor."
"An ordinary conversation?"
"Yes. We talked across the boundaries of our respective positions and came to understand each other. As a result, I decided to trust Thor. That's all."
"I understand."
Chancellor Kelv straightened and bowed to Demon Lord Lukie.
"I have sworn loyalty to Lukie Evergald-sama, the Demon Lord. If Your Majesty has decided to trust Thor-dono, I have nothing to say. I trust Your Majesty as well."
"Yes. Kelv, you are always a great help to me, too."
"I'm glad to hear that. By the way, Your Majesty—"
"What is it?"
"Regarding the idea of marrying Thor-dono to Mabel..."
"──What!?"
"You don't approve, then? However, I believe a political marriage would be the best way to keep Thor-dono tied to the Demon Lord's Territory. It would be far too dangerous to let go of someone of his caliber. Mabel or anyone else would do, but he should be married off."
"────"
"Then, if we kept any child born afterward with its mother, it would give us a perfect hostage against Thor-dono. I do not wish to doubt him, but I believe we need insurance."
"A hostage...?"
"I understand that you are reluctant."
"Yes. I am reluctant. Rather, I believe it is something we must not do."
Demon Lord Lukie shook her head.
She knew that Thor had not come as an envoy, but had been sent to the Demon Lord's Territory as a hostage—a sacrifice.
There was no way she could force him into a political marriage and take a hostage from him.
That was something she absolutely must not do—as Thor's liege and as a friend who shared secrets with him.
"I cannot allow a political marriage that ignores Thor's wishes. If he himself says he wants to marry someone from the Demon Lord's Territory... that would be a different matter. But even then, I will never permit taking a hostage as a means to control him!!"
"I apologize if I have upset you, Your Majesty."
Chancellor Kelv readily backed down.
"However, I only proposed it because I was thinking of Your Majesty and the Demon Lord's Territory. I hope you understand that."
"I understand, Kelv."
"Thank you."
Chancellor Kelv bowed to Demon Lord Lukie once again.
"Thor-dono's alchemical skills are simply astonishing... I seem to have lost my composure as well. I will be more careful in the future. I sincerely apologize, Your Majesty."
"Y-yes. You mustn't lose your composure, Kelv. Suddenly marrying Thor off... honestly."
"By the way, Your Majesty—"
"What is it now!?"
"Why are you facing completely sideways?"
"...I was merely interested in the view outside."
"Would you please face this way when you speak? If possible, could you remove your 'Recognition-Obscuring' mask──"
"Good grief! Don't go prying into a maiden's heart!"
Demon Lord Lukie cried out before she knew it.
It was strange.
Her cheeks were hot beneath the 'Recognition-Obscuring' mask.
It had started when she heard Chancellor Kelv suggest 'marrying Thor and Mabel off.'
She had unconsciously imagined what would happen after the two of them became a couple.
Thor and Mabel, now husband and wife, were happily drinking tea, while she sat alone beside them. It was supposed to be a tea party for three, yet it was a terribly lonely sight.
She wasn't entirely sure why she felt that way, though.
"──I'm sorry. It seems I was the one who lost my composure."
"No, I was the one who made an impertinent remark."
"I understand that you have the interests of the Demon Lord's Territory at heart, Kelv. I will be careful regarding Thor as well. If he ever does anything to harm the interests of the Demon Lord's Territory, I will inform you at once."
"Thank you."
"By the way, Kelv—"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Do you think Thor would ever do anything to harm the interests of the Demon Lord's Territory?"
"I don't believe he would."
"I thought so."
It seemed their opinions matched.
(Because all he thinks about is making magic items.)
She really did think he was troublesome.
That was why she wanted to remain by his side and watch him.
Those were the feelings of Lukie, a demonfolk girl, not the Demon Lord.
"It's getting late. I think I'll retire for the night."
"Good work today, Your Majesty."
"Kelv, you must be tired as well. There was a lot going on today."
"A lot certainly did happen."
Demon Lord Lukie and Chancellor Kelv nodded to each other again.
Both of them were thinking of the one responsible for all those 'various things'—Thor.
Chancellor Kelv thought, 'We have brought a truly extraordinary person here from the Empire.'
Demon Lord Lukie thought, 'I have met someone I can't take my eyes off.'
The two left the throne room and returned to their respective rooms. Then—
"Come to think of it, I wonder what Mabel thinks of Thor."
"Regardless of the political marriage, we need to ascertain Mabel's wishes."
They happened to murmur the same thought.
It was already late at night. Mabel should have been resting in the castle's servants' quarters.
They would have to hear what she had to say tomorrow or later.
Demon Lord Lukie pondered it for girlish reasons, while Chancellor Kelv did so for practical ones—
And so, the night at the Demon Lord's Castle passed.