Your Majesty, Dinner Is Ready. – Chapter 216 – Don’t You Want to Ruffle the Hair of Your Genius Disciple Karr Over and Over?

Author: Cireng

Chapter 216: Don’t You Want to Ruffle the Hair of Your Genius Disciple Karr Over and Over?

“A newly established Demon Realm?”

Fafnir restlessly tapped his fingers against the table.

“I’m not particularly interested. It sounds like the cult of some pathetic Evil God that wants to return to its glorious past.”

“Why did your example have to be an Evil God’s cult?”

“I find myself wondering the same thing.”

Pierre chimed in while chewing on a sausage.

“As much as it’s a proposal from a friend, this isn’t something to decide lightly. Though I would like to at least see the face of this demon who calls himself the Demon King.”

“See him? He’s obviously going to be an idiot.”

“If he’s a friend of Karr’s, I’m sure he’s no ordinary individual.”

“…Well, he certainly isn’t ordinary.”

Bartimir frowned and slowly shook his head.

“He’s an unbelievably disgusting demon. He’s part of our expedition, but honestly, I never want to explore with him again.”

“Now, now. That’s a little harsh.”

I rested my head on the shoulder of my demon daughter, who was frowning.

We’d all be seeing each other frequently from now on, so as the captain, I couldn’t simply watch one teammate view another so negatively.

“Even if it’s coming from Mom, I still don’t like him!”

Bartimir firmly shook his head.

Holding onto the bandages wrapped around his swaying head, I whispered,

“Would you close your eyes for a moment?”

“Okay.”

“Now picture the Demon King consuming positive emotions.”

“…Blegh.”

“How do you feel?”

“Disgusted.”

“Exactly.”

“Exactly what?”

Pat. Pat.

I tapped Bartimir’s arm and imparted an important lesson.

“Disgust. Finding something so revolting that it makes you want to vomit… that is an intense negative emotion.”

“…Oh?”

“And for an ordinary demon, negative concepts are both food and the very source of life, aren’t they?”

I firmly grabbed Bartimir’s bandaged hand and declared solemnly,

“At the moment, Sir Bartimir, you’re relying solely on disasters like curses and diseases to consume negative concepts. That alone is nowhere near enough!”

“That’s true!”

“However, if you work for the Demon King…”

I squeezed his hand tighter.

“You’ll be able to consume plentiful negative emotions every single day with almost no effort. The Demon King is someone who will both fill your stomach and keep your body healthy!”

“Ooh!”

The kind-hearted demon’s eyes began sparkling.

He excitedly shook our joined hands.

“Alright. I’ll work for the Demon King!”

Persuasion complete.

“…Golden Crow, what was that about consuming positive emotions?”

As Bartimir continued enthusiastically swinging my hand back and forth, Fafnir casually asked.

He seemed interested.

“Exactly what it sounds like. My lord, the Demon King, is a mutant demon who consumes positive concepts.”

“…Ho.”

I subtly leaned forward and curled my lips into a smile.

“You want…”

I smiled even wider.

“…to study him, don’t you?”

“……”

“If you work under the Demon King, you’ll be able to observe him up close and analyze his unique nature to your heart’s content.”

“…Interesting.”

After a moment of careful thought, the dragonkin nodded.

“Very well. I’ll work alongside this so-called Demon King. However, if I determine that he’s an idiot unworthy of following, I’ll leave immediately.”

“Do as you please.”

That would never happen. The Demon King possessed extraordinary charisma that naturally inspired others to follow him.

“Hmm.”

Finally turning to Pierre, I saw him nod.

“Very well. I’ll accept the proposal too. A friend wouldn’t ask me to do something meaningless.”

“Welcome aboard.”

Just like that, three new members had joined the newborn Demon Realm.

The Demon King himself would decide their positions, but they would likely become the Four Generals, serving directly beneath the Grand Duke.

“I’ll arrange a meeting with the Demon King before long.”

Recruiting new subordinates was itself a positive action. My lord would surely be delighted.

“We’ll discuss our first operation as the newborn Demon Realm against the Silence Alliance at that time. For today, let’s simply chat happily together and enjoy ourselves.”

“I’m in!”

“Sounds good.”

“I’m still suffering from the aftereffects of [Grand Chaos Disruption Field], so it’s better to postpone anything that requires thinking.”

We spent our time leisurely chatting beneath the soft glow of the single magic-stone lamp hanging from the ceiling.

“Ah!”

“Friend Bartimir, what’s wrong?”

“I’ve got Gnawing Disease, where it constantly feels like my muscles are being eaten away! It’s been getting worse lately!”

“Choosing to afflict yourself with diseases and curses of your own free will… Splendid. Those who pursue greater strength must never fear the price.”

It truly felt like a warm family gathering.

“Sir Bartimir, because of the curse [Treacherous Friend], your petrifying body keeps regenerating even after it breaks. Would you mind if he ate some?”

“Oh, right! I can give away my arm too.”

“Hmm. If you’re offering, I’ll gladly accept.”

“Okay. Just wait a second.”

“Hold on. Would you mind if I cut it off myself? If I don’t periodically harm someone I recognize as a companion, I lose control of my killing intent.”

“Go ahead.”

“Thank you! Please hold out your arm.”

It was an exceptionally harmonious scene.

[This feels like exactly the sort of gathering Okail would love….]

Click.

He really was delighted.

I wasn’t entirely sure why he was reveling in the chaos when we were merely having a peaceful, friendly conversation.

“…Phew! That was delicious!”

Having eaten nearly all of the mountain of appetizers by himself, Bartimir patted his stomach before lying down with his head resting on my thigh.

Lying down immediately after eating was an unhealthy action, which meant it was actually encouraged for demons.

“Wrap my bandages again.”

“Give me your hand.”

“…I’m leaving.”

As soon as he finished his beer, Fafnir stood up without the slightest hesitation.

“Until next time.”

“Take care.”

“Farewell, my friend.”

Pierre waved with a faint smile.

“Hopefully next time we can meet in your true body.”

“……”

Without saying a word, Fafnir turned his head toward me.

While rewrapping the bandages around my demon daughter’s hand, I shrugged.

“I wasn’t the one who told him.”

“…Which means you knew as well.”

“Oops.”

“What are you all talking about?”

Bartimir asked curiously.

“Keeping your real body hidden was supposed to be a secret?”

“…Good grief.”

Letting out a sigh, Fafnir tapped his own neck before speaking.

“I’m starting to like all of you even more.”

His lips curved upward.

“Now I want to devour every last one of you.”

Even by the standards of the City of Harmony, Pletica, that was an exceptionally bold declaration of affection.

***

The next morning after the House Lee gathering.

I sat upright with my eyes closed in the center of the Chairman’s office.

“Calm your mind.”

Sitting across from me, Chairman Blackbeak spoke in a drowsy voice.

Then… he remained silent for a very long time.

“Chairman?”

“……”

Had he fallen asleep already?

I honestly had no idea how he managed to make it to work every morning.

“I’m still a little sleepy myself. Would you mind laying me across your lap and giving my bottom a good spanking?”

“…Good grief.”

Fortunately, the stimulation therapy woke him almost immediately.

“Ahem… You need to empty your mind as completely as possible. [Land of Selflessness] can only be used when absolutely no stray thoughts cling to you.”

The martial Mystery… [Land of Selflessness].

Blackbeak had readily agreed the moment I asked to learn it as my reward, but in truth, it wasn’t a Mystery that should be taught to just anyone.

“Ah, right… This is a Mystery that’s only passed down to a single successor. You’re really not supposed to teach it to anyone.”

A one-to-one inherited Mystery handed down since ancient times. Mysteries of this kind were so valuable that their worth practically reached the heavens.

Normally, no amount of money would ever let someone learn one.

“Shouldn’t you be teaching such a precious Mystery to someone from the Unity Guild instead?”

Keeping my eyes closed, I asked quietly.

“Especially Lady Wonderbeak.”

“Ah… um… It doesn’t matter. It doesn’t suit a ranger like her.”

“Even so, leaving your own disciple behind to teach someone who’s not even an Association member makes me feel rather guilty.”

“Then…”

Blackbeak paused.

“Become my disciple from this moment onward.”

“Yes.”

I answered immediately before he lost the motivation to continue speaking.

Truthfully, the concept of guilt didn’t even exist in the heart of someone born incomplete like me.

“From now on…”

he continued.

“Call me Godfather.”

“Understood, Godfather.”

“You adapt surprisingly quickly….”

“I’m such an intelligent, adorable, lovable disciple, aren’t I?”

“Focus.”

“Yes, sir.”

Emptying my mind.

For me, it wasn’t particularly difficult.

After all, when there was neither hardship nor adversity, I barely even felt like I truly existed.

“……”

“Huh… You throw away stray thoughts as casually as taking out the trash….”

“Hehe.”

“Quiet.”

“……”

“How are you even doing this…?”

A silence where nothing could be seen or heard.

As a lonely cultist devoted to silence, I remained immersed for quite some time in that tranquil darkness, where both body and soul naturally found peace.

“Now…”

His sleepy voice gently seeped into my consciousness.

“Draw land within the darkness. Clearly imagine the form of land that feels closest and most familiar to you surrounding your entire being.”

The form most familiar to me… What would that be?

I didn’t deliberate for long.

“Lord Lriria.”

The moment I spoke the name of the Quietest One in the world, my dark inner world instantly became filled.

A land of death and life, where flickering flames danced, quieter than anywhere else in existence.

“…Open your eyes.”

Doing as instructed, I found Blackbeak before me, all traces of drowsiness gone from his face.

“Disciple.”

“Yes. I know. I did incredibly well, didn’t I? I’m a genius, aren’t I? Don’t you want to ruffle your genius disciple’s hair over and over?”

“Quiet.”

“Eep!”

“Now repeat that exact process one thousand times a day.”

Suddenly, a smoking pipe appeared in my Godfather’s empty hand.

A miracle performed through [Land of Selflessness].

“[Land of Selflessness] is a mental land that both exists and does not exist.”

He took a slow breath.

“You could say it’s a land that exists only within your own world.”

“Can I think of it as something similar to a shaman’s personal domain?”

“Well… that’s not an entirely inaccurate comparison.”

He slowly exhaled dreamlike smoke.

“The crucial difference is that [Land of Selflessness] cannot be manifested into the real world.”

Fwoosh.

Blackbeak blew smoke of an ethereal hue from his mouth.

“My own master explained it to me through all sorts of philosophical theories, but they were so overly academic and complicated that I’ll skip them.”

He took another puff.

“To put it simply, [Land of Selflessness] is both a convenient subspace and a defensive technique.”

“I actually wanted to hear the boring explanation and become thoroughly bored.”

“Leave now.”

He put the pipe back into his beak and lazily waved me away.

“Go practice.”

I wanted to ask him to teach me more, but his concentration had clearly run completely dry, leaving me no choice but to withdraw.

“…Hmm.”

With Perrin’s help, I stood up.

Suddenly, Blackbeak used [Land of Selflessness] to make me sit beside him.

“What is it? Have you finally decided you want to endlessly pat your genius disciple’s head after all?”

“Someone wishes to speak with you.”

Blackbeak looked toward the blackout curtain covering the inner wall of his office.

Shrrrk.

A moment later, the curtain was drawn aside, revealing the space beyond.

It was a tiny room, so small that one could only sit or lie down inside it.

“Hello.”

The child inside waved.

“We meet again.”

A fox beastman with violet eyes.

[??? (???, ?? years old). All information has been completely distorted!]

A being whom Truthy couldn’t read at all.

Yet… the overwhelming presence emanating from them was beyond description.

Since they clearly belonged to entirely new content, I cautiously asked,

“Have we met before?”

Perhaps… we’d known one another before I lost my memories.

As I entertained that thought, the violet beastman elegantly snapped open a folding fan.

Painted upon it were monochrome chains… the symbol of the Confusing One.

“Because you spoke aloud the destiny that was supposed to occur in the future, I was able to arrive at a possibility different from the original history.”

The fox beastman smiled.

“Thank you.”

“……”

I quietly gazed into those mysterious violet eyes before speaking.

“…Lord Neuamshi?”

The great lizardman shaman, Neuamshi, who had deployed [Grand Chaos Disruption Field] within [The Final Stand].

The labyrinth’s ghost… had appeared in reality. In a completely different form.

“That’s right.”

“…How did this happen?”

“You’re asking the obvious.”

Neuamshi smiled.

“I escaped the labyrinth using the resurrection Mystery I told you about before.”