The Ancient Castle Emerges
The residents of Hemonigent, each doing their utmost in their respective positions in the face of the monumental goal of rebuilding the Demon Lord’s castle, were now gathering in the dining hall to replenish their strength after a hard day’s labor. Upon entering, they lined up for their rations as usual, yet their gazes were not fixed on the prepared meals. Normally, one’s sole purpose upon entering the dining hall was to eat, and it was only natural to appraise the food laid out before them. But now, every eye was captured by an overwhelming sight, rendering the food itself irrelevant.
“What are you doing? Eat.”
“…I have committed a grave sin……”
“I have no intention of punishing any of you. This meal was prepared for your sake. I simply wish for you to eat before it grows cold.”
Beatrice’s presence chilled the surrounding air. She had seated roughly thirty men at the table and was urging them to eat. The problem lay in the bizarre nature of the dishes set before them. A long, pitch-black fish had been skewered whole and roasted into a fish pie. Because it had been cooked without any preparation, its original form remained intact, its glossy surface preserved. It was a Black Eel caught from the streams of Taego Forest. Alongside it sat whole roasted garlic and ginger, skins and all. The pungent, sharp aroma of garlic filled the area, while the ginger’s stinging scent mingled with the acrid smell of having been burned black. There were also dishes that reeked of fish and bore grotesque shapes—so repulsive they could hardly be called food, more like portions of an animal carcass. These were the leftover organs from a butchered Big Boar, specifically its raw liver. The plate was drenched in blood, the liver completely uncooked, its visceral shape and metallic stench intact. Parasites writhed visibly across its surface. In an age when food was precious, consuming unprocessed entrails swarming with parasites was an act of reckless danger.
“Ugh…!!”
“What is the matter? You have not even tasted it yet, so it cannot be a matter of preference. These are rare ingredients I personally gathered for your nightly exertions. Complaining before even trying them is rather rude, don’t you think?”
One man retched at the sight of the food before him. Whether it was the stench of the Black Eel pie, the overpowering aroma of garlic and ginger, or the sight of parasites writhing in the bloody liver, the cause was unclear—but the conditions were unmistakable.
“W-what is going on?”
“Ah, Lady Nella!”
Nella, who had just entered the dining hall, approached Lusteria, who had arrived earlier and was observing the scene. Thirty-odd men sat with heads bowed like condemned criminals, while Beatrice fixed them with an icy glare. It was obvious they had done something wrong, but Nella did not know the details, so she asked Lusteria.
“Well, Lady Beatrice gathered these men and asked if they would like a tonic made from ingredients good for vitality. They cheered and accepted, but as you can see……”
“…Ah……”
The explanation was brief, yet Nella understood everything. Just as Beatrice had learned the source of certain men’s fatigue from a goblin boy, Nella had heard the truth from a trusted orc. She had intended to confront Hestinia and properly discipline the subordinates who had been neglecting their duties for nightly orgies, but Beatrice had already reached an agreement, so Nella had let it pass. Still, she had planned to give her own subordinates a stern lesson—only for Beatrice to act first. Among the men receiving Beatrice’s special tonic were several orcs under Nella’s command. They should have been confessing and begging forgiveness, yet here they were, drooling over the so-called tonic. They deserved whatever came next.
“What if they actually get sick from eating that?”
“Hmph. Lady Lusteria, pay them no mind. Shall we eat together?”
The gentle, innocent Lusteria worried that the men might fall ill from the strange food. Nella, who viewed the entire situation as their own fault, led Lusteria to a seat farther away so she would not dwell on it.
“Mmm……”
“Look, Lady Lusteria. Today’s menu includes blackberry fruit punch.”
“Waaah!”
Even after moving to a distant table, Lusteria could not tear her eyes from the men. While ordinary workers had to line up for their food, high-ranking officers were served directly at their tables. The moment the two women sat down, dishes were placed before them, and their meal was ready in an instant. Nella deliberately chose the dish Lusteria liked most to change the subject. The effect was immediate. Lusteria’s violet eyes sparkled as she let out a delighted cry, all her worries forgotten.
“Hauu…! This is so sweet! You should try some too, Lady Nella!”
“Hehe. Very well.”
Nella had never imagined she would one day find someone over two thousand years old adorable. Lusteria’s cheeks puffed out as she chewed happily, so round and soft that Nella felt the urge to reach out and touch them. Though her ample bosom rivaled even Neromeltia’s in its sensual allure, Lusteria possessed an overwhelming cuteness that surpassed her own seductive figure.
‘Her Majesty must have felt the same way……’
Nella knew that Lusteria received an abundance of Neromeltia’s affection. She herself found Lusteria so unbearably cute and lovable that she wanted to pet or hug her; for Neromeltia, who favored women, it was only natural. As her thoughts reached this point, a certain concern resurfaced in Nella’s mind.
“Lady Lusteria.”
“Hm? Did you call me?”
Lusteria, who had been thoroughly enjoying her meal, responded to Nella’s call. Despite being absorbed in her food, she did not forget her manners. She quickly swallowed, straightened her posture, and answered properly. Nella, looking solemn, carefully broached the main topic once Lusteria was ready to listen.
“A few days ago… I spent the night with Her Majesty……”
“You mean at Stony Fortress? I already know. Lady Beatrice told me everything.”
Lusteria answered casually, as though it were nothing. Nella, wondering if her meaning had not been understood, clarified more explicitly.
“Not just sleeping…! We… we were intimate……”
“I heard that too, you know?”
Nella had braced herself for a strong reaction, but Lusteria remained calm, even seeming puzzled as to why it would be a problem. The utter lack of disturbance made Nella uneasy, so she asked another question.
“…Do you dislike me now?”
Lusteria still showed no anger. At this point, Nella could no longer assume the other woman had misunderstood. She had explained the situation with perfect clarity. Yet Lusteria simply smiled softly and spoke in a gentle voice.
“Her Majesty adores beautiful women. If something like this bothers you, it will be difficult to stay by her side. Even I felt jealous of Lady Beatrice not long ago, though I never used to mind such things a thousand years ago. If Sir Oun had not counseled me, I might have been terribly rude to Her Majesty. So I understand how you feel, Lady Nella.”
“Then……”
“Still, jealousy is not allowed. No matter how many women Her Majesty loves or how much affection she shares with them, she remains the greatest and most beautiful. That is only natural. Just as Sir Oun said, I will accept everything about Her Majesty.”
Nella was speechless. She had never imagined such a form of love existed—an unwavering will to affirm and purely accept her beloved sharing affection with others, without the slightest reluctance or sense of resignation, and even feeling genuine happiness in doing so. Nella let out a small laugh, realizing how trivial her own worries had been. To remain as one of the Demon Lord’s lovers, she still had much to learn. She had no intention of giving up that place. She resolved to strive to embody the same happiness Lusteria felt.
“So there is no way I could dislike you, Lady Nella. If anything, I am happy that another person has joined me in serving Her Majesty. Please do not let it weigh on your mind.”
“Lady Lusteria……”
Nella was deeply moved by Lusteria’s warm, smiling goodwill. An overwhelming sense of kindness radiated from her—so much so that Nella felt tears welling up. In Lusteria’s willingness to extend affection even to someone who now shared Neromeltia’s love, Nella saw the kind of love she herself wished to give. Though Lusteria was cute and innocent, when it came to love, she was far ahead.
Rumble rumble rumble rumble rumble!!!!
Crash crash crash crash!!!!
A tremendous roar shook the dining hall in an instant—not merely the building, but the very ground beneath it. The impact was so immense that it rattled the entire Demon Lord’s castle and its surroundings. Most of the residents were thrown off their feet, dishes and bowls clattering and spilling across the tables and floor. In the chaos of the violent earthquake, the people of Hemonigent scrambled about in panic, crawling on the ground in search of safety, some even praying aloud to Neromeltia’s name. Those with military training gripped their weapons and held their ground bravely, yet they only peered out the windows, lacking the courage to venture outside and assess the situation. Only Lusteria and Nella rushed out of the dining hall to investigate.
The two women who had bravely run outside found themselves unable to look away from the entity that had not existed mere moments before. Beyond the outer walls of the Demon Lord’s castle, where only desolate ruins had stood, an enormous structure of unknown origin now loomed. Though it stood at a considerable distance, its appearance was so clear it felt as though one were observing it up close. Its majestic presence was so overwhelming that it seemed to dominate the mind itself. It was a single, ancient, and colossal castle.