Master of the Demons (3)
"We will escort Cluster-sama and his group to the Setarite family. The two dukes have already arrived at the Setarite estate. True Demon King."
When a voice contrary to the words coming from her mouth echoed in his head, Cluster's eyes widened. He quickly scanned his surroundings before returning to his expressionless face. Aria caught that brief moment, a smile curling at the corners of her mouth. Her hunch had become certainty, and that certainty had become fact.
"I am boldly sending a message directly into the Demon King's mind right now. It's a voice that only the Demon King can hear, so there's no need to worry about your identity being exposed."
Reassured yet still wary at the voice in his head, Cluster realized that hiding his power hadn't fooled this cat beastkin after all.
"I've been worried about the unusual movements from Boreas lately, but it's reassuring to hear that the dukes have awakened."
"Aria, was it? How did you figure out my identity? I was definitely hiding my presence."
"I didn't sense the Demon King's aura. It was just my own speculation based on the circumstances that led me to ask."
"Since the outsiders are guests of the Setarite family, I'll guide them."
"Then I suppose I'll part ways with you here."
"If Aria's stepping up, we should withdraw as well."
"Alright, lead the way. Silvia, Veronica—you're okay with that?"
"Yes……."
"I will follow wherever Silvia goes."
Cluster continued chatting with his group while carrying on a conversation with Aria in his mind. He was concerned about how listless Silvia seemed, but chalked it up to exhaustion from not getting proper rest lately.
"I've already heard there's a Demon King. What gave you such certainty despite that?"
"As I said, it was just speculation—no hard evidence. You could call it distrust of Rozania."
"We've arrived. This is the Setarite family estate."
While talking with Aria, they had reached a mansion.
"It's pretty modest for a mansion."
"Excluding the Demon King's castle, it's the third largest around. Ahaha…."
"Let's head in for now."
He'd called it modest, but true to the name of mansion, it was a large building with expansive gardens. He'd just built up higher expectations after seeing some impressively huge structures from afar while wandering with Lovern.
"Huh? Isn't that Aria?"
As they crossed the garden, a shrill voice called from behind the group.
"Ah, Lady Mas Franet. Have you come with Duke Franet?"
"None of your business. But who are they?"
Behind the group stood a pink twin-tailed girl who looked about Silvia's age. Cluster had thought from her voice alone that the kid had no manners, but seeing her face brought the term "villainess ojou-sama" to mind. Not the capable kind, but the type who gets her butt spanked, cries while apologizing, or causes a huge mess before reforming—that was the vibe.
"They are guests invited by the dukes."
"Humans and an elf? Hmm… Did you two not get enough sleep? Have you lost your touch after sleeping so long? Mmph?!"
"Miss, you mustn't say such things."
While Mas Franet spouted words that could have been insults toward the group or the dukes, a brown-haired male demon approached and covered her mouth.
"The two dukes may find you cute, miss, but they'll scold you severely for talk like that."
"Mmph!!! Pwah… Fine, I'll watch my mouth, so don't cover it, Daimos."
"Daimos Setarite-sama. Guard Aria greets you."
"It's been a while, Aria. I've heard you've grown even stronger lately. Don't get complacent—keep pushing forward."
"Understood."
After exchanging formal greetings with Aria, the demon named Daimos scanned the group. He glanced perfunctorily at Cluster and Silvia but lingered on Veronica, his eyes gleaming. At the same time, Cluster sized up Daimos.
'On par with Veronica or maybe a touch below. Typical belligerent demon—he's bound to take an interest in her.'
"Lady Mas Franet, we'll head to the dukes now."
"Sure, go ahead. But do you really have to bring that brat along? She doesn't look important."
"You're a brat too!"
"Silvia?"
Cluster and even Veronica—who had spent so much time with her—widened their eyes at Silvia's sudden outburst. It was the first time Silvia had expressed negative emotions so blatantly.
Silvia, for her part, was fuming. At first, traveling with Cluster and no longer having to live out of Veronica's backpack had her in high spirits. Holding Cluster's hand while walking felt great, and falling asleep chatting with Veronica was nice too.
'They're playing just with each other. Not playing with me.'
Silvia had started sulking in earnest once they entered the Fog Region. Sure, she understood they couldn't pay attention to her in such a dangerous place. But Silvia was still just a kid at heart. Even if she'd always seemed precocious, she was only mature for her age. Plus, ever since leaving the temple and shedding her burden as the Saintess, she'd been acting more spoiled—and more frequently, too. It hadn't been obvious since it was still rare.
"Cluster-sama! Look at this flower…."
"Veronica, how about heading that way?"
As they wandered the Fog Region, Cluster and Veronica's conversations had naturally increased.
"Veronica! Us…."
"Cluster-sama, you need to do it like this there."
While Cluster trained in martial arts under Veronica, Silvia gradually found herself sidelined from the talks. Of course, both Cluster and Veronica's top priority was Silvia's safety. She knew that, but the drop in direct chats with her still sparked growing feelings of neglect.
"Do you really have to bring that brat?"
Mas Franet's snide remark became the spark that ignited Silvia's pent-up grumpiness, and she finally exploded.
"Cluster-sama, I'll play with that brat, so go handle your business."
"Silvia, what's gotten into you all of a sudden…?"
"It's not like I can join your conversations anyway! Better to play with her than just listen to boring talk."
"Silvia, coming at him like that out of nowhere will just fluster Cluster-sama."
"I'll stay right here!"
The usually meek child suddenly digging in her heels left not just Cluster but Veronica flustered too. Leaving her here felt unsafe, but dragging her along didn't seem like it'd work either—she wasn't budging.
"Daimos-sama."
"…Got it. Aria, you stay here. I'll guide them. Follow me, outsiders."
"Thank you. Everyone, go with Daimos-sama. I'll watch this child."
"Don't worry—I'll keep an eye on your two children."
With Aria—who knew his identity—saying that, Cluster felt okay leaving Silvia behind. More than trust in her, though, it was Silvia's divine power—the natural predator of demons—that weighed heavier on his mind. She might have set down her saintess burdens, but a Saintess was still a Saintess.
"One correction: Silvia isn't Veronica's or my child…."
"Coming to settle in a place that runs on power just to get bossed around by a brat. Maybe I should lop off that kid's head to teach some manners."
Veronica's hand twitched toward her sword at Daimos's snide remark threatening Silvia's life, but Cluster stopped her. Disappointment flickered in Daimos's eyes. He'd clearly wanted to bait Veronica into a fight. Seeing her pull her hand from her sword without rising to it, he turned and started walking.
"Daimos-sama, these are the dukes' guests. Provoking them is…!"
"If."
Cluster cut off Aria, a voice slipping from his lips.
"You have a problem, then prove it with actions. I don't listen to cowards."
Daimos sneered without turning.
"The esteemed ones are waiting. Shut up and follo—"
"If even a single hair on Silvia is harmed."
His voice was flat, emotionless. Daimos, who'd been about to snap back irritably, froze under the pressure from the black-haired human. Mas Franet, arms crossed, trembled and dropped to her knees.
"You'll answer for it with your life."
One corner of Daimos's mouth curled at the arrogant words. How laughable. Rage boiled up at the fact that this powerless human's presence had stiffened his body, even briefly.
"How dare a weakling like you threaten our lives—mine, no, Lady Mas Franet's?!"
Daimos's aura erupted as he advanced. It was far stronger than Cluster had gauged—equal to or above Veronica's. Daimos must have been holding back too.
-KUWAANG!
Daimos's surging aura was crushed in an instant. His eyes widened at the swirling demonic mana around the black-haired human, who had shown no power moments before.
"Including everyone's lives in this mansion."