Under Barkus (4)
Under Barkus. That was the name the survivors who had begun living in this cavern gave to their village, chosen because it lay deep beneath Barkus Volcano. Over time, the simple name had become a symbol of hope for them. They believed that when the moment came, they would emerge into the brilliant sunlight and walk freely through the world once more. With Neromeltia’s return, they knew the era of freedom they had longed for had finally arrived, and the survivors were filled with joy.
“Yes, you have all worked hard. I can see the effort you poured into ensuring the people lacked for nothing. I am truly grateful for your long years of service.”
“What I did was nothing. Everything was only possible because you, my lord, risked your life to protect us.”
Upon arriving at Crawford’s residence, Neromeltia and her companions had seen many things while passing through Under Barkus: vast farmlands yielding abundant crops beneath an artificial sun, modest but stable livestock pens supplying meat and its byproducts, a forge crafting tools and weapons despite limited materials, mines extracting soil for the fields along with salt and ore for daily life, a water source managing everything from drinking water and laundry to industrial use, cleaning, bathing, and irrigation for the fields and pens, a magic management office handling the maintenance of the artificial sun and providing magical support for the village, a treatment center offering care and nursing at any time, and facilities such as a sewing workshop, general goods workshop, pharmacy, and brewery managing essential daily necessities. Thanks to the meticulous operation of such diverse facilities, Under Barkus had maintained a prosperous living environment. Neromeltia felt immense gratitude toward Crawford, who had planned and skillfully managed it all.
“Would it be acceptable for this foolish retainer to ask his lord for guidance?”
“You are an exceptionally capable retainer, and both then and now, I place great trust in you. You need to relax your attitude somewhat.”
“How could I possibly…”
“Even if it feels awkward and uncomfortable, make an effort. This is an order.”
Neromeltia spoke with firm resolve, pointing out Crawford’s demeanor. His attitude had remained unchanged from a thousand years ago to the present, and she felt it needed correction. His tendency to unconditionally revere his lord and even belittle himself bordered on worship. The authoritative tone Neromeltia used when addressing Crawford was a response to his almost burdensome loyalty. Since Crawford offered her boundless devotion, she had to maintain her authority, lest his position become laughable; it was also a courtesy to respectfully repay his dedicated loyalty. Yet Neromeltia’s true nature was far from such authoritative behavior. She found it awkward to maintain the dignified appearance of a ruler and preferred treating even those in subordinate positions as colleagues or close friends without formality.
Of course, the primary reason for today’s order was for Crawford’s own sake. There was absolutely nothing good about diminishing and belittling oneself. Such an attitude in every matter would be troublesome, even if its root lay in excessive loyalty.
“…I would like to ask about the plans you intend to proceed with from here.”
It was a direct question, delivered with as much formality stripped away as he could manage. Neromeltia found it satisfactory enough and answered with a smile.
“Securing the Demon Lord Castle takes priority. From there, we will swiftly reclaim our territory with the castle as our base.”
“I will obey.”
“However, we will not enter the Demon Lord Castle openly. It seems the purification system is being operated by the mages at the magic management office in this cavern, while the outside is filled with all manner of toxins and pollution. That is why the Humians appear to have withdrawn en masse to their own lands.”
“That information is reliable—I extracted it from a captured Humian soldier!”
Lusteria’s remark lent credibility to Neromeltia’s words. It was easy to forget, given her characteristically gentle and innocent demeanor, but she was originally a succubus, a demon specializing in seduction and enchantment. It was absurd to think a mere Humian soldier could withstand the allure of a succubus who had lived for 2,200 years.
“Still, there is a reason we cannot enter the Demon Lord Castle openly. Even during the assault on the Demon Lord Castle a thousand years ago, the Humians deployed massive machines called magic soldiers. Their magical engineering had achieved sufficiently brilliant development, and now they have even used that technology to migrate to the Red Moon. Although they have retreated, we cannot recklessly lead the people into the Demon Lord Castle without knowing what devices they may have left hidden there.”
“Then I will form a reconnaissance unit centered around the Black Knights!”
“No. I say this first so you do not think I am belittling your efforts, but many of the current Black Knights appear to be young Demanians with no combat or mission experience. Their swordsmanship is secondary. What matters is the seasoned judgment that comes from numerous experiences and the thoroughness to never overlook even the smallest trace. If even one special trap has been set, I cannot believe they would survive.”
“Then I will…!!”
“You will remain here and protect Under Barkus. Even if it is only the Humians, I believe dragons like Kerdihak could detect my presence at any time. That allows for thorough defenses. Therefore, while I am away, the one most familiar with this place—having established and operated Under Barkus—will take on the defense mission to prepare for any attacks. Lusteria and I will conduct the reconnaissance alone.”
Crawford’s expression darkened at once. He could not rest easy, worried that his lord, who had returned less than a day ago, would be placed in danger. Although he did not mention it, Neromeltia’s death a thousand years ago had become a profound trauma for him.
“Do not worry. We plan to infiltrate through the sewers.”
Neromeltia continued her explanation with a confident smile. She could easily read Crawford’s concern and began describing her future plans in an assured manner to ease his worries. Crawford’s constant emphasis on how well the people of Under Barkus were faring had been a warm gesture of consideration for his lord, meant to lighten the burden on Neromeltia’s heart. Neromeltia’s detailed account of how thorough and safe her plan was served as her own warm consideration for her retainer, easing his fears of losing his lord once more. Watching the meeting filled with mutual affection between lord and knight, Lusteria could not help but smile at the warmth.
“I apologize for the humble accommodations, my lord. It is my failing to have you stay in such a place.”
“It is fine. I can feel your integrity in not favoring luxury, and it is proof that you lived frugally for the sake of the people. Rather, having such a spacious area available means there is nothing more to desire.”
Neromeltia and Lusteria had been assigned to a relief station building on one side of the village, originally constructed in preparation for a potential plague outbreak that would produce a large number of patients. Since it was a place whose use was uncertain, preparing beds and other furniture and facilities in advance would have been an overcommitment to an imprecise need, so the building had stood empty. However, since all necessary living items were already stored in Neromeltia’s Dimensional Storage, they had chosen it simply because the space was large enough to create a comfortable living environment. Crawford had gathered cleaning personnel, insisting that the Demon Lord’s residence could not be dirty, but Neromeltia had simply used water magic to clean the entire building in an instant before their eyes. The personnel recruited for cleaning had marveled at the Demon Lord’s greatness and showered her with praise. Being praised as the Demon Lord simply for cleaning felt somewhat odd, but since it seemed to be pure goodwill, she could not say anything about it. A Demon Lord being praised for cleaning— no matter how she thought about it, it was strange and amusing.
“We could also prepare a separate residence for Secretary Lusteria…”
“How could she fulfill her duties as secretary if she lives apart from me? Therefore, it is necessary for her to stay in the same place.”
“That’s right! I will serve you thoroughly so that you, Demon Lord, feel no inconvenience!”
Crawford, Neromeltia, and Lusteria each had different thoughts and intentions, but their opinions ultimately aligned, so Neromeltia and Lusteria ended up staying in the same residence. Although Lusteria had boldly declared she would serve thoroughly, in the end, Neromeltia handled the building’s cleaning and the summoning and arrangement of furniture entirely with magic, while Lusteria could only watch. To Crawford, the sight did not inspire much confidence. However, Neromeltia had not decided to stay with Lusteria in order to entrust her with personal care, and even if Lusteria did nothing at all, it would not matter to her in the slightest. What Neromeltia desired from Lusteria was something else entirely.
“My lord, would you like to bathe before dinner? If you wish, I will have the hot springs cleared.”
“Hot springs!? That’s right! There were hot springs!!”
Because the cavern had formed in a volcanic region, it was common for heated groundwater to gush forth, and hot spring bathing had become a fairly common culture and pastime in Under Barkus. Neromeltia had heard this explanation earlier at Crawford’s residence and had listened with a pounding heart, harboring certain expectations. She had momentarily forgotten, but at last the long-awaited moment had arrived.
“Excellent! I shall bathe first with my secretary! One secretary is sufficient to attend me, so I would like all other personnel dismissed.”
“How could you, the Demon Lord, bathe in such a modest manner?”
“Modest? Does Lusteria’s attendance seem modest to you, Crawford?”
“…!! I beg your pardon!”
Neromeltia approached the hastily bowing Crawford with a benevolent smile, patted his shoulder, and spoke gently. It was as if she embodied the compassionate love of the goddess Asta from legend, and she even seemed to possess the maternal nature of the earth mother who embraced all things.
“I understand your feelings well. It was an unintentional remark born from your desire to show loyalty to me, so I have no intention of blaming you—only of praising you. Do not worry.”
“However…”
“What could the Demon Lord and her secretary possibly do after dismissing everyone else? It must be because there are things that would be troublesome if someone were to see or hear.”
“…!! I am endlessly grateful for the grace of enlightening this foolish retainer, my lord!!”
Believing that Neromeltia had asked to dismiss the others because an important secret discussion about future plans would take place, Crawford bowed his head in gratitude, ashamed that he had failed to grasp his lord’s deeper intentions. What Neromeltia had meant by “things that would be troublesome if someone were to see or hear” was not a lie, but the meaning Crawford had understood and accepted was clearly mistaken. Of course, Neromeltia had no intention whatsoever of correcting his misunderstanding. The expression on Neromeltia’s face as she passed behind the moved Crawford was one brimming with anticipation, flushed with excitement. The smile that had been benevolent enough to evoke the goddess Asta, mother of the earth, had vanished, replaced only by the joy of what awaited her at the hot springs. Her body trembled as she struggled to contain the overflowing emotions.
And Lusteria, hurrying after Neromeltia toward the hot springs, was humming a tune, her heart swelling with anticipation for her first hot spring bath in a thousand years. She wondered what kind of soap there would be, what fragrance the oils would carry, and how warm the water would be. With all these expectations, her steps felt light. Though they had shared the same conversation in the same place, the hearts of the three were entirely different.