A Creative Alchemist Enjoys His Freedom – After Being Banished from His Hometown, He Is Now Free to Create Magical Items with Incredible Effects Under the Control of the Demon King - Episode 14

Episode 14: “The First Night in the Demon King’s Territory”

　──Thor’s point of view──

　After I made a promise to have a tea party with Demon King Luquier, and Mabel.──Mabel brought a table, chairs, and tea set to my room.

　The table and chairs were quite large.
I was worried whether it would fit into the 『Simple Warehouse』, but it was a hero’s item after all. With a whoosh, it sucked in a table and chairs that were bigger than the entrance.

　Afterwards, we prepared for the tea party inside the 『Simple Warehouse』.
　The table was decorated with a cherry blossom tablecloth, and the chairs were lined with cushions.
　Mabel brought some tea leaves and created a storage space beside the table.
　After letting out a satisfied sigh, she loosened the front of her sweaty maid outfit.

“……Ah”

　She noticed my gaze and turned bright red.

“S-sorry, sorry! I got carried away…”
“no……”

　Mabel, you were starting to feel a bit uncomfortable around me. I felt like that was slowly happening.

“It was the first time I’ve seen Luquier-sama looking so happy.”

　Suddenly, Mabel murmured.

“Since she was a child, Luquier-sama was raised as the successor to the Demon King. The previous Demon King was a strong man… but he was strict with Luquier-sama. The previous Demon King was able to fight on equal terms with dozens of demon beasts, and he wanted Luquier-sama to have the same power.”
“It looks like my house.”

　I was trained by my father from a young age.
　Or rather, I think it was just abuse.

　My father didn’t hide his irritation at my lack of fighting skills.
　My father refused to let it go until I got the same combat abilities as him, so he continued with the unreasonable training.
　He made me swing a wooden sword until I couldn’t move, and even had me spar with a professional swordsman.
　That was why I had no choice but to leave the duke’s house.

　But… Demon King Luquier must be different from me, who had no fighting power.

“Her Majesty the Demon King has powerful, dark magical powers, doesn’t she?”
“Of course. No one can match Luquier-sama in magic.”
“In that case, there’s no need to hide your true self.”
“Even in the Demon King’s territory, there are those who only believe in physical strength. To those people, the Demon King’s appearance may appear weak.”
“Those kinds of people are everywhere.”
“But I think everyone will eventually change.”

　Mabel thought for a moment,

“There is a history of them being no match for the heroes summoned by humans. In truth, everyone knows that strength alone is not enough.”
“On the other hand, the victorious empire has made power everything.”
“Nowhere does it go as planned.”

　For some reason, we both sighed at the same time.

“I’m weak too. I’ll be careful of people who only believe in physical strength.”
“Hehe. I guess that’s true.”
“By the way, isn’t the Chancellor different?”
“Kelve-sama is on Luquier-sama’s side. The person we need to be careful of is, well… General Flame Raizenga-sama.”
“What kind of person is he?”
“He’s two and a half metres tall. He has a muscular, sturdy physique. His hair is flame-red, and when he gets angry, he spews fire from his mouth.”

　I wanted to see it, but I was scared.

“The Raizenga clan has the bl00d of the Flame Giant and is famous for the martial artists in the Demon King’s castle.”
“That Flame Giant, the one who was entrusted with the fortress of Flame Mountain by the Demon King long ago and fought a fierce battle with a hero from another world, right?”
“The Seven-Day Battle of Flame Mountain. Raizenga-sama is a descendant of the Flame Giant who was guarding that fortress.”
“Perhaps they have a lot of respect for their ancestors.”
“That’s why they respect strength.”
“…I’d better not get close to them.”
“I agree.”

　Mabel stammered.
　She looked like she wanted to say something, but stopped midway.

“However, not all members of Raizenga-sama’s clan place importance on strength… There are also kind people. Some are too kind.”

　Mabel shook her head after saying that.
　Then, as if something had occurred to her,

“That’s right. Anyway, I have to show Thor-sama around the Demon King’s castle.”

　She said this, clapping her hands.

“That was the plan, right? Will tomorrow be okay?”
“Yes, please”

　From now on, I was going to live in the Demon King’s territory.
　First of all, I wanted to be able to walk around the inside of the castle by myself.

“Yes. With pleasure!”

　Mabel shook her silver hair and bowed her head.

　Then Mabel and I left the warehouse.
　As I was working on this and that, it got quite late.

“Thank you for everything, Mabel-san.”
“Thor-sama?”
“Huh?”
“I told you before, please call me ‘Mabel’.”
“Is that so?”
“That’s right. Also, there’s no need to use honorific language.”

　Mabel smiled mischievously.

“I received a command from Luquier-sama to treat Thor-sama as a distinguished guest. I don’t know about the situation in the Empire, but to the Demon King, a guest is the same as a chancellor or a minister. In other words, Thor-sama is in a much higher position than me.”
“Even if you say that, it doesn’t really feel like it.”
“Moreover, Thor-sama is under Her Majesty’s personal alchemist.”
“But I’m in the care of Mabel──”

　Perfect.(ぴたり)

　When I realised it, Mabel had a white finger over my lips.
　She touched my lips to block them.

“Therefore, there’s no need to use honorific language. Please, just speak normally.”
“…Okay, Mabel. I look forward to working with you.”
“Yes, Thor-sama!”

　We looked at each other and laughed.
　Today was my first day in this demon king’s territory.

　Yet I felt so relaxed, as if I’d been here for a long time.
　This was not the case in the imperial capital. The nobles were always competing with each other in martial arts to see who was the strongest. Common people also followed suit, competing with each other to see who was the greatest, who could show off.
　That kind of thing was extremely tiring; I realised it when I came to the Demon King’s territory.

“Please stay here forever, Thor-sama.”

　Mabel said it suddenly, kneeling on the floor.
　She held my hand, and then,

“If that happens, I, Mabel Refrain, will serve you with all my might.”
“…Mabel?”
“Well then, good night, Thor-sama!”

　Then Mabel rose, bowed, and left the room.
　I was surprised.
　It was the first time I’d ever been promised something like that.
　In the Empire, that was the way to pledge loyalty, but I wonder how it was done in the Demon King’s territory. I would check it out later.

“…Today is still only my first day in the Demon King’s territory.”

　A lot of things happened.
　I found a book about another world and made two magic items. I’m satisfied.
　I was glad I came to the Demon King’s territory.
　Mabel said, “Please stay here forever,” and I thought that was probably what would happen. I didn’t intend to return to the Empire anymore. Or rather, there was no place for me in the Empire.
　So let’s make this Demon King’s territory a more convenient place.
　As Thor Regus, an alchemist who serves the Demon King Luquier.

　──To surpass the world of heroes.

　With that thought in mind, I fell asleep.