The Great Demon King's Sulking - 2
Seere had locked herself in her room, lying on the bed while hugging her white bear plush. She hadn't taken a single step since morning. Her silent protest, which began at dawn, continued well into the evening. Eventually, she muttered to herself.
"I'm trying so hard to look pretty for Teacher…"
Yet Teacher had gone and picked up some strange girl. He didn't even understand how she felt. Seere puffed out her cheeks and began pounding the innocent whale plush beside her with her little fists.
"That's too much! You don't even notice something like this and go bringing home weird kids instead! Teacher's the worst, I hate Teacher!!!"
Even while throwing her tantrum, she carefully controlled her strength so the plush wouldn't break. After shouting and whining for a while, Seere stopped punching and sprawled out on the bed in a big star shape. Doubts began to fill her mind. Was there any point in going this far?
"In the end, Teacher…"
Only saw her as a child. And once his goal was achieved, he would surely leave someday. Could she really make him stay? The question began to take root in Seere's thoughts.
"…Ugh."
No. She hadn't even tried that hard yet. It hadn't been long since she'd made her plan, and there was still so much room for her to grow. It was far too early to give up. Her desire to keep Teacher by her side wasn't something so trivial that she could abandon it now. Thinking this, Seere reflected on her earlier actions.
"Was I being unreasonable…?"
But when she asked herself whether three years was such a short time, she wasn't so sure. What had given her this mindset was the fact that, in just five years, she had grown strong enough to defeat Belial, a mid-tier Demon King who had once been the lowest-ranked. Comparing her own potential with Veronika's on equal footing was unreasonable, but Seere didn't realize that.
"Still… he only takes that kid's side…"
She hated it. Even if she was in the wrong, it annoyed her that he sided with the girl so completely. On top of that, he'd returned after three days and hadn't even patted her head.
"…Yeah, Teacher's the one who did wrong. Right, White Gomi?"
She hugged the white bear plush tightly and mumbled. Just then, someone knocked on the door. At first she thought it was Rea, but when she sensed the mana beyond the door, Seere's eyes widened.
"Seere."
The voice confirmed it. It was Nahen. Seere panicked, her eyes darting around, before choosing the obvious escape. She yanked the blanket over her head and curled up. Her anger was slowly fading and she did want to see Nahen, but doing so would hurt her pride, so she refused. As she held her ground, Nahen spoke from the other side of the door.
"I brought cake."
"Cake!"
Cake and pudding were still Seere's favorite desserts. For a moment she half-threw off the blanket and sat up, only to shake her head furiously and dive back under the covers. She was determined to make a point. She wanted to show Nahen exactly what happened when she got angry, so he would pay more attention to her in the future. It was a naive, adorable thought.
Nahen knocked once more, but Seere didn't respond. The door creaked open. Instead of leaving, Nahen simply walked in. Seere flinched in surprise.
'Why… why isn't he leaving? Why did he come in?'
Seere was flustered, but Nahen remained calm. He had only wanted to check if she was asleep. When Nahen's shadow fell over her, Seere squeezed her eyes shut.
"Seere, why are you pretending to sleep…?"
"I-I'm not."
But anyone could see she wasn't actually sleeping, so she was caught immediately.
"…I brought cake, so let's eat together. It's your favorite strawberry shortcake. You haven't eaten, have you?"
"I don't… want any cake."
It was a monumental decision reached after much deliberation. If she happily accepted the cake now, her entire plan to shock Nahen would fall apart.
"Hmm, really?"
"Yes."
"Then I suppose I'll have to eat it all myself."
"…What?"
She heard the sound of Nahen picking up a fork, followed by the unmistakable noise of him actually eating the cake. Seere's eyes flew wide open. Then Nahen casually dropped a single line that made her bolt upright.
"Mm, it turned out pretty well even without Mark's help."
Mark hadn't helped. There was only one meaning behind those words.
'Teacher made it himself…?'
The moment she heard that Nahen had personally baked the cake, Seere kicked off the blanket and jumped up, only to freeze as she realized what she'd just done. Nahen looked at her and chuckled.
"Want some?"
"……Yes."
Seere began eating in tiny, reluctant bites. Whether this counted as rebellion or not, she deliberately nibbled at the cake instead of devouring it the way she usually would. She didn't realize that to Nahen, the sight was simply endearing. After she finished one slice in those small bites, Nahen spoke.
"Seere."
"…Yes?"
"I think I didn't consider your feelings enough earlier. I'm sorry."
"……"
Seere glanced at him. His expression told her he wasn't lying. Nahen was sincerely apologizing.
"But there's one thing I want you to understand."
"What is it?"
"Everything I do is for your sake."
Seere's eyes widened.
"I would never do anything that could harm you."
Everything was for her. All of Nahen's actions were for Seere's benefit. Hearing those words, Seere struggled to suppress the smile tugging at her lips.
'Teacher… is doing it all for me…!'
Nahen, unaware of the change in her expression, continued.
"I didn't bring Veronika here to upset you. That child will truly be helpful to you."
"…In what way?"
"Well… the biggest reason is reinforcing our forces. I brought her with the intention of giving her a legion commander position."
"That's it?"
"It's more than enough. Also, she's about the same age as you. Only a year apart, so you could even become friends."
"Teacher."
"Hm?"
She could accept everything else, but not the last part. Friends with that girl? Absolutely not. When Seere spoke firmly, Nahen looked slightly taken aback.
"But wouldn't you feel lonely without any friends?"
"Why? I have Teacher, and Rea, and Secily. Kain's here too, and Commander Lin…"
"Uh… right. Then forget friends. She'll still be useful for our forces."
"Yes."
Nahen cleared his throat and went on.
"…Anyway, that's how it is. As I've said before, I have no intention of taking on any other disciples besides you… and I don't particularly enjoy raising children either. Veronika was truly an accidental discovery, and this is a very special case."
Seere stared at Nahen in silence. Then she suddenly leaned her head forward, presenting the top of her head.
"Hm?"
"You haven't done it once since you came back."
"Ah…"
Nahen chuckled. While Seere waited, he reached into his pocket and pulled something out. When he opened it with a soft click, Seere tilted her head and looked up.
"Teacher?"
"It's a gift. I couldn't teach you for three whole days, so I thought I should at least bring something back."
Nahen gently took a strand of Seere's hair and clipped the pin in place. Then he smiled and softly patted her head.
"See? It suits you perfectly, just as I thought."
Seere stared blankly for a moment before raising her hand to touch the hairpin he had personally given her. Finally, she broke into a bright smile.
"You're really giving this to me!?"
"Of course."
"Waaah! Teacher!!"
When Seere threw herself into his arms, Nahen laughed warmly and accepted her affection. She rubbed her face against him and mumbled.
"I love it so much."
"I'm glad you like it. I was worried since I have no talent for picking out gifts."
"Anything from Teacher is wonderful."
Seere lifted her head slightly to look at him. Nahen gazed down at his adorable disciple with fond eyes. Seere smiled brightly and said,
"As expected, there's only Teacher for me."
"Is that so?"
Nahen was pleased. It warmed him to know Seere thought so highly of him as her teacher. But contrary to his thoughts, Seere had one more sentence hidden in her heart.
'It has to be Teacher. No one else will do.'
Starting the next day, Veronika began her studies and training. To keep his promise with Seere, Nahen did not personally oversee her. Instead, he assigned reliable instructors so she could learn in a good environment. Kain took charge of theoretical studies, while the newly appointed 7th Legion Commander, Celestia, handled martial training. Lin was already busy with Seere's training, so she was excluded.
"These will be your teachers. Follow them well."
"Y-Yes…!"
After entrusting Veronika to them, Nahen was returning to his office when something caught his eye.
"…Who is that?"
"Your perception is truly remarkable. As expected of a great being."
Others wouldn't have noticed. But Nahen could sense it. A distorted cluster of mana had gathered near the garden. The distortion was so precise that most people would have missed it entirely. The mana field that only Nahen found awkward dissolved, revealing a man. Nahen didn't recognize him, but he knew exactly what kind of being he was.
"A demon?"
"My name is Gaunimalis. My master, the Cruel Colossus, has sent a message for the great one."
"The Cruel Colossus…"
Nahen thought for a moment, then immediately understood. It wasn't a name he usually thought of, but given the situation, it came to him at once.
"Golab?"
"Yes, that is correct."
"Why has he come looking for me from Hell?"
"My master wishes for the great one to return as soon as possible."
Nahen let out a small sigh. He roughly ran a hand through his hair and glared at Gaunimalis.
"Gaunimalis."
"…Yes."
"Give me one good reason why I should listen to your master."
Nahen's demeanor shifted completely. Sensing the change, Gaunimalis trembled.
"I-I was merely delivering the message. It is not a demand, O Great One. How could I possibly make demands of you? I simply wished to hear your response…"
"If I give you an answer, will he stop sending people? I doubt it."
"That is…"
"Wouldn't it be better to make an example of you as a warning? To show what happens when someone touches me."
"……O-O Great One."
Gaunimalis dropped to his knees and pleaded desperately.
"If you kill me, my master will not remain idle."
"Now you're even threatening me."
"That's not it! My master cannot do anything to you, but the faction you currently care for…"
"Your tongue is too long, Gaunimalis."
Before Gaunimalis realized it, Nahen had approached him. His hand shot out and lifted the demon's head.
"And you mentioned something you shouldn't have."
"W-What did I…"
"You implied you would do something about Seere's forces, didn't you?"
"Th-That is the truth! My master said that if the great one does not return, he will eliminate any reason for you to stay…!"
Those were Gaunimalis's final words. Nahen hurled him backward, and Leviathan, which had appeared behind him, swallowed the demon in one bite.
"Golab…"
Nahen's golden eyes gleamed coldly, as if contemplating how to remove an obstacle.