Theorad's Dream in the Sex Hell
Theorad dreamed. In the Magic Realm, in Sex Hell. In the grand hall of the grand duke's residence, the dream demon Serredi knelt with deep reverence.
"This lowly one greets the great grand duke who rules over Sex Hell!"
"Me?"
A massive screen made of red silk gauze. A short laugh echoed from behind it.
"What a ridiculous thing to say. How can someone who can't even glimpse my toe claim to be greeting anyone?"
"Ah. I misspoke..."
"Good thing you knew. If you hadn't, I'd have burst your body in the next instant."
Serredi's shoulders trembled in fear. The queen of dream demons, Lerazie's mocking words struck more terror than expected. She was the grand duke of one of the seven hells of the demon world and a favorite of the great demon Baal.
But she hadn't come to this residence staking her life just to tremble in fear. After a deep breath to regain her composure, Serredi stammered on.
"P-please forgive my rudeness... I beg you."
"Oh my. Do I really need to go that far? It was just a joke, of course."
"Th-thank you."
"Isn't it a bit early for thanks? I haven't heard why you've disturbed my rest yet."
The silhouette beyond the silk shifted position. Though her face wasn't visible, Serredi could tell Lerazie was staring right at her.
"I heard from the eunuch that you brought some very amusing information. Am I right?"
To say no would mean death in that instant. Serredi quickly prostrated herself flat.
"Yes! I have information that will surely interest you, Grand Duke!"
"Really? I'd like to hear it. Care to explain?"
"Of course! From the minions I planted in the human world! Recently, in the central region of the Esteban Empire, something very strange..."
"Hold on, hold on. My ears work fine. No need to shout—speak quietly."
The queen's word was absolute. Serredi immediately lowered her voice.
"My apologies. To continue, an abnormal situation has been detected in the central Esteban Empire."
"What's abnormal about it?"
"Bishop Leviham of the Balance Church's 5th Diocese has stopped eating and drinking entirely these past few days, muttering to himself occasionally... In short, he's become a complete wreck."
"And? You came all the way here just to report that?"
Some immense pressure bore down on her back. Likely Lerazie's magic power. Desperate not to be misunderstood, Serredi shook her head vigorously against the floor.
"N-no, that's not it! What I wish to tell you, Grand Duke, is why Leviham became a wreck!"
"The reason?"
"Yes! He fell into this state right after stepping foot in Deharm Mansion. Word is, one of the inquisitors suffered a similar fate! It seems to be the doing of Viscount Theorad Deharm, head of the Deharm family."
Who was Theorad? What was Deharm Mansion? Lerazie didn't know the details, but if true, it was quite intriguing from her perspective.
Turning a church diocese leader into a wreck overnight? And by a mere human? Is that even possible?
It didn't add up logically. The only conclusion was that this Theorad human had contracted with a demon and used borrowed power to break the bishop.
But who? A bishop would wield holy magic at an expert level at minimum. Few demons in the Magic Realm could overwhelm such a human outright.
And a contract, no less?
If it had been a demon's innate power subduing him, fine—but a human empowered by a demon contract defeating a bishop? Hard to swallow.
Hmm.
Lost in thought with arms crossed, Lerazie suddenly smirked at a realization.
Could it be Eligos's doing?
Eligos, grand duke of the Fog Hell and Baal's closest confidant, could pull it off easily. His power as a demon was the greatest among the grand dukes save Baal himself, and he'd meddled in human affairs before, sowing discord between the church and witches.
That guy's definitely plotting something again.
Feeding on human rage, madness, and fear to bolster his position in hell. Obvious scheme—it even made her chuckle.
Maybe I should stick my spoon in too.
She couldn't let Eligos hoard all the credit. Uncrossing her arms, Lerazie pointed leisurely at Serredi.
"My child Serredi, your info is indeed intriguing. So, here's the thing... Could you find out which demon contracted with this human Theorad? Succeed, and I'll share my power with you."
Her tone softened considerably. Sensing a chance at promotion, Serredi shouted energetically.
"Yes! I'll go to Deharm Mansion myself and peer into Viscount Theorad's secrets!"
*The next day, I sighed deeply as I rose from bed.
Three more days ahead...
Great to lay down the law yesterday with such gusto, but setting a deadline now felt like shackles.
After lounging listlessly for a while, I turned toward the window and startled. The midday sun blazed down on the courtyard—it was well past noon.
Damn.
Tired from the elf's torments last night, I'd overslept. As family head, I needed to set an example for servants and slaves—how sloppy could I get?
Get it together.
Slapping my cheeks, I got up, washed quickly, and changed. Checking my outfit in the mirror and pinning my brooch properly, I opened the door and stepped out.
Walking the corridor, I ran into the elf rounding the corner. She carried a bucket of water and rag—cleaning the windows, no doubt.
"Master?"
This was exactly the unwanted encounter. Calming my surprise, I clasped my hands behind my back imperiously.
"What is it?"
"You seemed to wake up late today. And your complexion looks poor..."
Because of you, you crazy bitch!
"None of your concern."
"True, but... Ah! I heard from Head Butler Habid earlier—people from the imperial palace arrived. They're waiting for you in the front yard."
"The imperial palace?"
Why would they visit the mansion...? Well, there was a reason. They'd come to reward me for completing the Artificial Rainfall Magic.
"Master, I'll get back to cleaning the windows then."
"Uh? Yeah..."
The elf bowed her head and walked past me down the hall. Something felt off. No clinging or whining like usual—which was nice, but the unease lingered.
...She's holding off until our 'relations' day, huh.
Seemed she'd play the normal maid until the deadline. Good is good—no need to nitpick. I watched her on tiptoes wiping the window for a moment, then headed to the front yard.
And unwittingly gasped.
What the...?
Four carriages, escorted by imperial knights in plate armor, rolled into the front yard. Each bore the embossed white lion emblem, radiating imperial majesty.
I'd finished the magic with the elf's help, but wasn't this reward excessive? Dazed, I descended the stairs. Habid, chatting with Roilen at the base, turned and smiled brightly. Good to see his cold cleared up.
"Family head! Did you cough?"
"Slept like a rock. How's your health?"
"Yes, sir—fit as ever. But Professor Roilen has something to say to you."
Turning, I saw Roilen nod politely.
"Good to see you again. Forgive the unannounced visit—the princess was quite insistent."
"No issue. But I'm worried the palace reward might be too generous."
"Heavens, completing a great magic and calling it generous? As I said before, excessive humility is poison. Besides, this is per the princess's special orders."
"The princess herself?"
"Yes. Her Highness takes great interest in you, Head Deharm."
Roilen smiled slyly, surveying the yard. With all four carriages in, it looked packed.
"Two of those carriages are from Her Highness. One filled with gold and jewels, the other with scholarly and academic books."
"Whoa. I'm honored, but why bestow such favor on me?"
"Haha, how could a mere servant fathom Her Highness's grand designs? Best hear details from her directly."
Directly?
"Is Her Highness visiting the county?"
"I can't say for sure. But if the chance arises, she'll come to see you, Head Deharm."
Why would an imperial heavyweight want to see me? Unease crept in, but I couldn't show distaste.
"Understood. As a subject of the empire, I eagerly await meeting Her Highness. Please convey that."
"Will do. And one more thing."
Roilen drew a wand from his robes and tapped the air. Pop! Light flashed, and a book dropped. He caught it deftly and showed the cover to Habid and me.
The Lady's Secret Rendezvous
"Do you know this book's author? Her Highness wants them found—I'm inquiring around."
"Why the author...? Did they commit some crime?"
"Not at all, but they've not released a sequel in three years, infuriating Her Highness. She vows to kill them if found—though of course, she won't actually order it."
Roilen chuckled, but I felt oddly confused. Threatening to kill an author for not writing? What kind of person was she?
Anyway, I didn't know who wrote it.
"My regrets to Her Highness, but..."
"Young master!"
As I started to reply, Baynen Brokena approached in his shirt, towel over his shoulder, drenched in sweat from training in the nearby clearing.
"Knights and carriages everywhere... Young master, you in trouble?"
"Baynen."
"Ah, sorry. Professor's here too. What's that in your hand...?"
"Oh! Know the author of this book?"
Roilen's face lit up. Baynen wiped sweat with his towel and nodded.
"Yeah, I wrote it. Three years back? Stopped after the previous head fell ill—too busy nursing. Gave it up entirely since."
Baynen wrote this?
First I'd heard—baffling. I wasn't the only stunned one. Roilen gaped, and even Habid stood speechless.
"Haha, brings back memories. Sold well back then—good historical detail from my mercenary days..."
Baynen trailed off, glancing around at our shocked stares, puzzled.
Frowning after a pause, he added,
"Why's everyone looking at me like that? I didn't commit treason or anything."