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Translator: Barnnn
The streets stretched on, flanked by lush greenery and flourishing crops.
In the bustling central district of the Holy Demon Kingdom, a man and a woman materialized from a gigantic Teleportation Spell Circle, the area of which was also known as the Central Gate. They surveyed their surroundings, overwhelmed by the vibrant scene around them.
“Oh-ho, so this is the Holy Demon Kingdom ruled by the Devil King…!” the man murmured in admiration, his eyes sparkling with wonder.
Beside him, the woman gaped in astonishment, letting out a breathy exclamation.
“Aye, aye… This actually IS incredible.”
Behind them, the Teleportation magic was invoked once more, revealing a young girl.
She had heterochromatic eyes — one blue and one gray — and her golden hair was streaked with silver. The girl darted towards the woman, clutching at her skirt.
The woman placed a hand on the girl’s head and smiled.
“Mm-hm, very good! You made it all by yourself! All right, let’s head to the Devil King’s Royal Castle!”
The girl looked around, her wide eyes brimming with curiosity at everything she saw — the new sights, foods, and culture.
Suddenly, she spotted a particularly eye-catching shop. The man noticed her gaze and gently nudged the woman.
“Looks like Patty is interested in something,” he said.
“Hmm? Hmm… Hmm? Aha! That’s the Devil King’s Lunch! Boy, it sure takes me back! It’s been eleven years, hasn’t it? “
“Has it really been that long since that… stew incident?”
“Up, it sure has! I mean, think about it — our little Patty is already ten years old.”
The woman, smiling nostalgically, gazed at the bento shop.
Suddenly, an idea struck her, and she clapped her hands.
“What is it, Mel? You’re not planning something strange, are you?” the man asked.
“As expected of my hubby! You know me so well, Gaspard!”
“…So it IS something strange…”
“Meh, it’s fine! Just hand over your wallet!”
“My wallet? I don’t mind, but why…?”
Melchi snatched Gaspard’s wallet and handed it to Patty.
“U-uh… Mel?”
“Patty, go explore the Holy Demon Kingdom! Don’t waste the money — but feel free to spend on anything that catches your interest! Even if you spend it all, that’s fine!”
“It’s my money, though…” Gaspard muttered.
“Ehh, it’s fine, it’s fine! Think of it as an investment in the future, eh?” Melchi said cheerfully, slapping Gaspard’s back.
Relenting, Gaspard knelt in front of Patty.
He placed a reassuring hand on the reluctant Patty’s head and spoke softly,
“Mel has given her permission. Go on and explore.”
This was also, unmistakably, his permission as her father.
Patty’s heart raced with excitement. She nodded eagerly at her parents’ encouragement and then trotted off.
“Patty! Remember to check in with a Telepathic Call later!”
Melchi called after her, waving energetically as Patty disappeared into the crowd, waving back.
Gaspard watched her with a worried expression. Melchi glanced at him, exasperated.
“You’re such a doting father.”
“Isn’t it normal to be concerned?”
“Concerned? For the girl who grew up in the monster-infested Far East Wasteland? That’s a bit too much, eh?”
“Humans can be scarier than monsters, you know.”
“Nahahaha! True! But here in the Holy Demon Kingdom, we have nothing to worry about! You felt the same, which is why you let her go, right?”
“…Right,” Gaspard admitted, exhaling sharply through his nose.
Then he shrugged, acknowledging that Melchi had seen through him completely. Lowering his eyes, he turned his steps towards the Devil King’s Royal Castle.
“Now, remember that we’ve been summoned by the Devil King. Let’s go.”
“And let’s pester Ash while we’re at it!”
“The Devil King has quite the troublesome senior apprentice…”
“NAHAHAHA!”
The two disappeared into the throng of people.
Yet, their spirited laughter marked their presence long after they were out of sight.
◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆
In the northern district of the Holy Demon Kingdom, Patty’s eyes roved over various shops, her excitement palpable.
At one point, her feet stopped at the edge of the district.
Unlike the newer shops around it, this one she was looking at had an old, worn-out sign that read “Pochisley Agency,” with a paw print symbol at the corner.
Despite being a child, Patty seemed appreciative of its uniquely charm artistic sense. She placed her hand on the door and stepped inside.
A bell chimed, followed by a woman’s voice,
“Welcome!”
Patty approached the counter where a woman was seated and took a seat on one of the stools.
The woman eyed her curiously.
“…Are you here to offer your services?”
Patty stiffened, realizing she might have entered the wrong shop. She froze in place.
“Hmm, I don’t think so — you don’t look the type. Would you like some tea?”
Patty shook her head vigorously, unsure of what might be in the tea.
“Well, we also handle general inquiries. Is there something you need help with?” the woman asked.
Patty remained frozen, unable to respond.
“Hmm… Hmm? Ah, I see. You came to the wrong place, didn’t you? It’s fine, you can leave. Here, take this as a gift.”
She handed Patty a book with a wine-red cover.
Eyes wide with surprise, Patty accepted it and glanced at the title.
The woman proceeded to explain,
“That’s a self-published book by our very own Devil King! He boasted about the first print run of five million copies, but… well, it was a massive flop. So we, as an agency founded by him, are giving them away. It makes a decent pillow padding, if nothing else.”
Patty looked up to see the woman wink.
From the back of the shop, a voice called out,
“Big Sis Itsuki! I’m hungry!”
“Ah, all right, all right! Time for a lunch break!” Itsuki said, then she turned to Patty. “Oh, if you don’t know where you want to eat, try Diarmuid Kitchen in the southern district! Well, gotta go! See you around!”
Patty nodded as Itsuki disappeared into the back.
After seeing Itsuki off, Patty bowed slightly and exited the shop.
She proceeded to run towards the southern district of the Holy Demon Kingdom.
There her nose started twitching as she followed a tantalizing aroma.
The scent led her straight to Diarmuid Kitchen, the very place that Itsuki had recommended.
“Hello, hello! Welcome!” a man called from the takeout window. “To go, or dine in?” he asked.
Patty hesitated for a moment before deciding.
After running around, a little rest sounded perfect.
She pointed inside the shop, and the man nodded happily.
“Lala! One customer dining in!”
“Got it!”
A green-haired girl named Lala appeared, full of energy.
“Dad! I’m here!”
“Mm-hm! Thanks!”
Balancing a tray on her head, Lala greeted Patty with a bow, the tray remaining steady.
“Welcome! We only have counter seats available… is that okay?”
Patty nodded, and Lala led her to a seat.
Though her feet did not quite reach the floor, Patty managed to sit at the counter, accepting the illustrated menu Lala handed her.
Each item looked delicious, making it hard for her to choose.
As she pondered, a pair of voices came from behind the counter.
“”The recommendation is Bruce Baka-Yaki!”” they said in unison.
Patty was momentarily confused by the overlapping voices.
The reason became clear when she saw a Divine Serpent, Kagachi, coiled around Lala, expertly assisting her in the kitchen.
Mesmerized by Kagachi’s unusual presence, Patty made her decision.
She raised the menu and pointed to the recommended Bruce’s Baka-Yaki, showing it to the Kagachi.
“”Understood! Lala, one Baka-Yaki!””
“One Baka-Yaki, coming right up!”
As they started cooking, Patty watched them intently, her feet swinging with excitement.
From the seat next to her, she heard a conversation.
“Bruce Baka-Yaki, huh? That’s a good choice.”
“I prefer the Betty Munaita, though.”
“Isn’t that just a steak, though?”
“The side vegetables are amazing!”
“Yeah, that’s true… Oh, look at the time. Lala, the check, please!”
“Got it! Here you go — Idéa, Midors! Take this to Dad’s counter!”
“All right. Thanks for the meal.”
“See you later!”
Idéa and Midors took the bill from Lala and went to the owner’s counter to pay it, and then they left.
Two men entered as the two disappeared into the crowd.
“Excuse us.”
“Pardon our intrusion, Mister Tzar.”
Tzar turned around, and upon seeing who had come in, he sighed.
One was a man not much taller than Lala, and the other had blue hair.
“”Aren’t you two supposed to be at your posts?””
“Well, Sir Hornel invited me, you see~~”
“Actually, no, didn’t you invite me, Sir Barun?”
“The Commander of the Magic Guardians Brigade and the head of the Northern Alliance, neglecting their duties… It is quite troubling.””
Barun only grinned sheepishly in response.
Hornel, however, was different. He puffed his cheeks and pouted.
“Oh, come on… Surely we’re allowed to spend the lunch break wherever we please,” he muttered.
“No crossing borders during lunch breaks,” came a firm voice from behind, cutting him off.
Recognizing the voice, Hornel stiffened and turned around, trembling.
“C-Captain Jeanne…”
“How many times must I ask you to call me just Jeanne?”
“R-right. Of course, Jeanne… Ahem. So what brings you here?”
“I am here to fetch you, SIR Hornel — That is my official reason.”
“Oh come on! Can’t I have a little fun once in a while?”
“Even a short break can endanger the state. Now, let us head back immediately.”
Watching this exchange, Barun grinned and said, “Tough luck, my man.”
“And what exactly is so amusing, Sir Barun?” came a sultry female voice.
Barun froze and slowly turned around, his eyes widening in surprise.
“Gah–!? Miss Minerva, why are you here too?”
“I told you today’s meeting was postponed by an hour, did I not?”
“Yes, that’s why I left Ricky in charge…!”
“And it was Ricky who sold you out.”
“Gah–!?”
“It seems I need to remind you of your responsibilities as my apprentice before considering your role as a leader…”
“You hear that, Hornel? Be responsible! Let’s go!”
“”AHH!?””
Minerva proceeded to pull Barun’s ear, and Jeanne did the same to Hornel.
“Ouch, ouch, ouch!”
“But I haven’t even eaten yet!”
Their protests and cries of pain echoed through Diarmuid Kitchen as the four of them disappeared from sight.
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