Whispers in Depiros
"Will she be okay?" Abela asked, her eyes filled with worry.
"We'll have to watch her until tomorrow, at least." I'd thought she was just tired and sleeping it off, but even by lunchtime, she still hadn't woken. No matter how much Abela tried to rouse her, Edel remained unconscious.
Mana depletion, huh. Judging by her condition, it was almost certain. A severe lack of mana in the body could cause extreme fatigue, or in bad cases, even loss of consciousness. It would improve with time, but the real question was why it had happened in the first place. She hadn't cast any spells or even emitted mana, yet her reserves had run dry. Mana must be vanishing somewhere inside her, but why?
"Abela, keep a close eye on her, just in case."
"Understood."
I hurriedly prepared to head out. With so little information at hand, I needed to do some digging. It was something I'd meant to look into eventually—and perhaps find a clue to whatever lay at the root of her condition.
As I focused my mana, black mist erupted around me, enveloping my body. It completely shrouded me before spinning rapidly.
Pop.
The mist vanished in an instant, and a wholly different landscape unfolded before my eyes.
I'd arrived in Depiros, the underground city. Its enclosed nature, unique to places below ground, meant black markets were scattered everywhere.
The perfect spot to seek info on witches while hiding my identity as the Demon King.
I headed straight for a certain pub I'd heard about here.
Galeon Pub.
Pushing open the creaky door, I was greeted first by a musty stench. Amid the clamor of loud conversations came moans that made it clear this wasn't your average watering hole.
Glancing around, I felt the stares of mercenaries and thugs. Most were just curious about the stranger, but a few seemed more hostile.
I ignored them and approached the counter.
"Hey, mister. What're you after? Booze? Girls? Or both?"
A man with age spots and scars covering his face welcomed me.
Without a word, I tossed a gold coin his way. He burst into hearty laughter.
"Kahaha! Right this way! Go ahead and spill it. We can move to a private spot if you want."
"No need. I'm looking for someone who can dig up dirt on the Black Tower—and another who can decipher sealed documents."
"The Black Tower, eh... The one the witch blew to kingdom come? Now you wanna poke around?"
"......"
"Well, whatever. I know a good guy for the job. Probably handles seal-breaking too. But..."
"What?"
"He's a bit pricey."
I glared at him and added another gold coin to the counter.
"Hahat! Now that's a customer who gets it."
"So when can I meet him?"
"Hmm... A month, maybe? Nah, two?"
"Haa..."
Thud. Another coin hit the counter.
"A week at the latest!"
"Four days. Non-negotiable."
"Whoa! Fine, fine, I'll make it happen. ...But y'know, my mouth's feelin' a little dry."
"...If you're asking for hush money, how about I rip your mouth in half instead?"
As I stepped closer, he waved his hands frantically.
"Hahaha! Just kidding, kidding. Safe travels, friend. And..."
He glanced subtly at a group in the corner of the shop and whispered,
"Looks like you've picked up some tails. Watch your back."
I left under his booming laughter.
...
Flamestone lanterns dimly lit the streets. Hooded and masked pedestrians wandered the sidewalks. I blended in among them as I walked.
Three gold coins. A fortune most commoners never saw, but it didn't sting. The guy's skills and reliability were guaranteed—or so I'd heard. Deals like this were usually for nobles anyway.
"......"
And where there were nobles, there were always thieves eyeing them.
"How long do you plan on tailing me?"
Turning around, I saw four men standing there, each gripping a weapon.
"Busted, huh."
"Heh heh! Woulda been nicer in a quieter spot, but oh well."
They'd been following me since the pub. The one with the dagger and the guy with the club slung over his back approached first.
"You look like you've got some coin on ya, milord. Wanderin' without guards? Dangerous."
"Kekeke! Yeah! So we'll hold onto your money for ya."
I had only one thing to say to them.
"Scram."
They sneered.
"Ooh, scary."
"We were gonna let you off if you handed it over nice, but no dice."
"Yeah, kekeke! Should we split that tongue in two?"
"...Grab him first!"
They charged.
The club guy led the pack. I stood still until he closed in.
As our distance shrank, he swung a beefy fist.
But it sliced through empty air.
Bam!
In a flash, his head slammed into the ground.
"Wh-what?!"
The follower froze in shock. The sword guy shoved him aside and lunged.
"You bastard!"
I waited again, then caught the descending blade with my hand.
And—
Wham!
A kick sent his body flying, tumbling into the last guy.
"......"
After dealing with three, I approached the one cowering and trembling on the ground.
"Eek! M-mercy, sir!"
"Split your tongue, was it?"
I grabbed his jaw and forced his mouth open.
"Aghh... P-pleash. Pleash!"
I snatched his dagger and held it to his mouth.
"Eeeek!"
He foamed at the mouth and passed out.
"No fun."
I tossed the dagger aside and kicked him away.
"You should've sized up your prey first."
Onlookers watched warily, but I pulled my hood back down and continued on my way.
The next morning, back at the castle, I heard Edel had woken and hurried to her room.
As I opened the door, she sat up in bed, sensing my presence.
"You're awake, Edel."
She gave me an awkward smile, so I asked,
"Anywhere hurt?"
"No..."
"Good. Abela and I were really worried."
"Hehe."
Then came a growl from her stomach. She clutched it, head hanging in embarrassment.
"Hungry?"
"......"
She hadn't eaten since yesterday's lunch, so of course.
Meals were running late anyway, so I pulled out some snacks I'd bought in the city.
I'd grabbed a variety since I wasn't sure what she'd like...
"Pick whatever you want."
Her eyes lit up as she eyed the treats on my palm.
She glanced at me once, then snatched one—the eyeball-shaped candy I never thought she'd choose.
More precisely, the fruit from the "devil's eye" plant. A Depiros specialty, known for its realistic eyeball look, hard shell, and sweet, gooey flesh inside.
I'd bought it for mana recovery, but regretted it immediately...
Yet Edel beamed, holding the creepy thing.
Guess if she likes it, that's what matters. Worth waiting till morning to buy, then.
"Can I eat it...?"
"Yeah, go ahead."
She gripped the big candy with both hands and crunched into it.
Crunch.Crunch.
What if it tasted bad and she was disappointed? I felt tense for some reason.
I asked her,
"How's it taste?"
Chewing thoughtfully, she replied,
"It's sweet..."
I let out the breath I'd been holding.
"Glad to hear it."
After she finished, with red fruit juice smeared around her mouth, I called,
"Edel, look over here a sec?"
I wiped her mouth as she turned. She blanked out for a moment, then her head drooped.
"What's up?"
"......"
Knock knock. Abela entered.
"Breakfast is ready. Please come to the dining hall."
Perfect timing—I was getting hungry myself.
"Let's go, Edel."
She hopped off the bed at my call but staggered badly.
"Whoa, careful."
I caught her as she fell.
"You okay? Can you walk?"
"Yeah..."
Still too weak, she wobbled unsteadily. I took her hand.
"We'll go to the dining hall like this. Hold on tight."
"......"
Her head kept dipping toward me today, but the faint smile I glimpsed meant no need to worry.
We arrived at the dining hall and took our seats. Easy-to-digest foods were prepared for Edel, mostly pea dishes good for mana recovery.
"Lady Edel, start with this."
Abela served her a bowl of green soup.
Edel eyed Abela nervously.
"......"
Staring at her plate, she finally scooped some green liquid and—
Shove.
—stuffed it in her mouth.
Her face twisted immediately. She'd never been picky before, but apparently this was a no-go.
"What's wrong? You need to keep eating."
But Abela brooked no arguments. She took the spoon and fed her directly.
After a few bites, Edel looked ready to cry.
To motivate her, I made an offer.
"Edel, if you finish your meal, we'll go somewhere nice together."
"Somewhere nice...?"
"Yeah. You'll love it, I'm sure."
"......"
Edel steeled herself and looked at Abela, who smiled and offered another spoonful.
Holding her breath, she took it, chewed, and swallowed.
She repeated the gasping routine a few more times before downing the last one.
She smiled at me triumphantly, but...
"Lady Edel, there's still food left."
Abela placed a plate of pea risotto in front of her.
Edel's expression went blank, as if the world had ended.
Her tearful mealtime finally wrapped up after the salad.
I extended a hand to the half-dazed girl.
"You did great. Ready to go now?"
She jumped down, hesitated, then took my hand. And so, we headed out of the castle.