Arrival in Alcantara
Our week-long carriage journey to the central city of Alcantara was delightfully simple.
We'd gaze out at the scenery now and then…
"Father Kasian, look at that bird!"
"…It's a mana beast."
"What!? That's a mana beast!?"
"No bird in nature has that color, does it? But it's not dangerous. More like an animal, really."
"Oh…"
And we'd get up to some naughty fun, Viola and I…
"Nngh, ah, eek, haaang♡ Father♡ Fatherrr♡"
"Hush, Miss Viola. The coachman might hear."
"B-but Father, your fingers, inside, so deep, coming in deeeep…"
-squelch! squelch! squelch! squelch!
-slap! slap! slap! slap! slap! slap! slap!
"Ah, nooo, Father, too fast, too, too fast, haaang, haa, haa, haa, haaaang, huaaahhh♡"
-squiiirt! squirt! squirt!!
We ate delicious meals, too.
-nom nom nom
"Is it tasty, Miss Viola?"
"Yes! You cook so well without any proper tools, Father!"
"It's just grilled meat with a bit of salt."
Of course, we slept outside the carriage sometimes and inside it other times.
After that blissful week on the road…
"Waaah…! Father! Look! Over there!"
"Alcantara."
We'd finally arrived.
Alcantara—the massive hub you have to pass through on the way from that backwater village to the Holy Nation. It's the continent's greatest transportation center.
In terms of prosperity, only the city-state Holy Nation or the capital of Judral outshine it.
And with that prosperity comes no small danger to me.
For example…
"Father Kasian, shall we pray at the cathedral first?"
Things like that cathedral.
Right at the city gates stood something utterly vile. So vile I didn't even want to look at it.
…Anyway, every city has at least one cathedral under Holy Nation control. Naturally, Alcantara has one too.
Viola wanted to go pray there.
"……Very well, let's do that."
I had something to test anyway, so I agreed to her suggestion.
Taken by the hand into the cathedral, I found it packed with people deep in prayer.
Viola was in civilian clothes, but her prayer posture screamed "definitely a nun."
And then…
"Viola~!"
"Amy~!"
-whoosh!
Seems she had an acquaintance here too.
"Viola… Sister, who's that over there…?"
"Oh, this is Amy! She's been my friend from the convent all the way!"
"Nice to meet you! I'm Amy, Viola's friend!"
The orange-haired nun—fiery and passionate, the polar opposite of Viola—immediately started scolding her.
"A nun coming in dressed like a layperson?"
"Today I'm here as a traveler."
"Really?"
"Yeah, I'm traveling under the guidance of Father Kasian here."
Amy gave me a once-over, then pulled Viola aside for a hushed chat.
The moment it ended, Viola started smacking Amy's palm.
They were laughing and chatting like the closest of friends.
It brought a warm smile to my face.
Seeing that the Viola from my dream had a friend like this was a real relief.
While they caught up, I scanned the holy knights and priests around us. I even checked the relics inside the cathedral.
Once I'd observed every reaction, I was certain.
My experiment had succeeded, at least in part.
*
Right after deciding to head to the Holy Nation, I'd made two preparations.
One: to avoid detection as a mana beast once inside.
The other: to withstand contact with the ultra-pure holy water there.
The first was fairly straightforward. Actually, dead simple.
I just sealed all my mana inside my body, not letting a drop leak out.
Impossible, you say? Even the greatest mages can't do it. Mana is as natural as breathing in this world.
From walking to inhaling—everything reacts sensitively to mana.
Perfectly concealing your mana is like moving without expending any effort.
But I'm Demetrius de Belpert, future Demon King, strongest of the demonkin, final boss. These titles aren't for show.
It was tough at first, but once I got the hang of it, no problem.
The one who helped? …
"To think… I could aid the Demon King… This Sebastian pledges everything to serve you…!"
"…Just check if any mana is leaking."
My one available asset: Sebastian.
He'd been such a pain at first, but now? No one more reliable.
Someday I'll ditch him or cut ties, but until then, he'll be useful.
The remaining preparation…
I'll explain that next time.
*
"Father Kasian."
"Ah, there you are."
"Yeah, Amy was talking nonsense, so I gave her a good scolding!"
Seeing Viola with her fist clenched tight, I knew it.
Her idea of a "good scolding" probably left Amy unfazed.
Viola waved goodbye to Amy and headed out. I moved to follow.
But…
"Um, Father Kasian."
…Amy called me from behind.
"…Yes, Sister Amy."
I greeted her with my most benevolent smile, but she wasn't quite what I'd expected.
I'd figured her for a tomboy matching Viola's vibe.
Wrong.
"If you ever toy with Viola… I will not forgive you."
"……That will never happen."
She was Viola's friend and her protector.
Viola saw her that way too.
"Amy's like a big sister to me~ Ever since we got close, she's always looking out for me!"
"The sister incarnate."
"Right~!"
Anyway, after leaving the cathedral with Viola, I glanced at a certain building and spoke to her.
"Miss Viola."
"Yes!"
"Don't you need some clothes?"
"Clothes…?"
"Yes. I'd like to buy you a gift."
I led her toward the building I'd eyed—a clothing store.
*
The shop brimmed with variety.
Dresses for ladies, comfortable casual wear, even women's undergarments.
Men's clothes were there too, but I didn't care. A few black robes and one black tunic suffice.
"Father Kasian…? Why here…?"
"You don't have much besides your habit, do you, Miss Viola?"
"Well, that's true, but…"
"So let me buy some for you. No refusing. I've got plenty of money?"
(For the record, I do have a ton. I sold off valuables during my escape bit by bit. No place to spend it anyway.)
Money had felt like dead weight until now. Using it like this? Perfect.
"Still…"
"A few casual outfits should do. Pick what you like."
"……Okay, then I'll shop."
"Good. Clerk, recommend something for this lady."
"Right away."
As the clerk—who'd been watching us fondly—approached, Viola blurted,
"No! I'll pick myself!"
She dashed to the racks and started browsing.
Being a girl, she took her time. I just wandered, looking around…
"……Um, Father."
"Yes, Miss Viola."
"Over here…"
She called me suddenly.
If she needed help, she'd ask the owner or clerk. Why me? Another customer holding her up?
I headed to where she called. That's when I understood.
Viola had slipped into a fitting room, stripped, and called me again.
"Um… th-this… wh-what do you… th-think…?"
She cracked the door, revealing herself.
Not at all what I'd imagined.
I'd pictured a trendy dress.
Instead, there stood Viola in nothing but pink underwear—a fresh change from her usual white.
"D-does… this… s-suit me…?"
Her face flushed crimson. I nodded and stepped inside.
Standing there like that? She was begging to be fucked.