Strange Serina After Meeting Amon of the 72 Demons
After meeting Amon of the 72 demons, Serina started acting strange.
Amon looked at the witch with a warm, welcoming expression.
“You resemble him so much.”
Amon put on a mischievous face and gave the witch a few light pokes with his palm.
“Stop poking me.”
“Kyahaha. Such a fiery temper. I’m just happy to see you, that’s all.”
“I heard my father was close with you.”
“We were. He was rather inhuman… hmm… though calling him human feels a bit off, doesn’t it?”
“...”
“Anyway, what is your name?”
“Mikael Serina.”
“Mikael? Why not Lucifer?”
“I took my mother’s surname. The Lucifer name went to my sibling.”
“Oh? So they had twins. Why didn’t your sibling come along?”
“I don’t know where they are. There are… circumstances.”
“Hmm… So the presence I sensed was correct after all.”
“...”
“Do you dream of revenge?”
“Yes.”
“It will be a harsh path.”
“I know that.”
The witch and Amon continued their conversation with grave expressions. Meanwhile, the foul stench vibrating through the air made it impossible for me to focus. My body deteriorated so quickly that I could barely hear what they were saying.
“By the way, why have you come looking for me?”
“This guy has some questions. Relationship advice.”
“Oho! A witch showing such unusual goodwill. In all my long years, I never thought I’d see it.”
“Shut your mouth.”
“From what I can see, you look like you need relationship advice yourself. You’re in a hurry, aren’t you? To achieve your complete form.”
“I’ll handle it myself.”
“Come find me anytime you’re curious. Witches have never been good at romance. All you know how to do is create lackeys.”
“I said I’m fine. I don’t need it.”
“Suit yourself, then. Human, what have you come to ask of me?”
Amon approached Lucas. Lucas immediately prostrated himself before the demon and spoke in a trembling voice.
“O-oh, great and mighty Amon. There is a woman I love. But she hates me. What can I do to win her over?”
“Hmm… let me see. Let me see this woman you love.”
Amon placed a hand on Lucas’s forehead. I watched with curiosity, wondering what would happen. A moment later, Amon withdrew his hand.
“Hmm… this is tricky. Her name is Sylvia, yes?”
“H-how did you…?”
“Kahaha. As if that were difficult.”
“Lord Amon, I will do anything. Please tell me how. I desperately want to make her my wife.”
“Ahem… it will cost you quite a bit…”
“Cost? How much…?”
“I have no need for money. If you build me a temple and appoint a prophet in my name, I will help you with everything I have.”
“Pardon…? So you’re saying I should bring demons into the village…”
“Now now! Demons? I am an angel.”
“Even so… that’s not something I can decide on my own…”
“You don’t want to win her over?”
“N-no, of course I do! Could you perhaps give me a little time?”
“Do as you wish. Just know that if you build me a temple, your domain will prosper for generations, enjoying wealth and glory.”
It was practically a threat. The whole thing smelled like a scam. Lucas clearly found the demon suspicious. Amon noticed and spoke again.
“Human. Do you doubt me?”
“N-no, of course not. How could I dare?”
“Then let me give you one piece of advice.”
“Please, tell me. I will listen carefully.”
“The next time you meet her, simply do this and your relationship will improve.”
“What should I do?”
“First, shut your mouth. Listen to what Sylvia says and reply with exactly three phrases.”
“Three phrases?”
“That’s right. ‘Really?’ ‘And then?’ ‘No way.’ Just those three.”
“Come on… that’s never going to work.”
“If you don’t believe me, then forget it. We’re done here.”
“Lord Amon… please give me a little more guidance. I am but a foolish man.”
“If you want to know more, pay the proper price.”
Amon refused to answer Lucas any further. It seemed Lucas could no longer see him. He waved his hands at empty air.
“Lord Amon! Where are you? Lord Amon!”
But we could still see Amon clearly. The witch spoke to him.
“On the way here, I heard you were at war with someone named Lilith.”
“Don’t concern yourself. It’s nothing.”
“Is this Lilith strong?”
“Kahaha. Are you worried about me? Don’t be. If she wants to fight me, she’ll need to bring someone on Baal’s level at least.”
“I’m not worried.”
“Worry about your own body instead. Lucifer was a good friend of mine, so come find me if you need any help at all.”
“I will.”
With those final words, Amon vanished. After finishing her conversation with him, the witch turned to us.
“Let’s go.”
“Already?”
“Yeah.”
A few short words. She said nothing more. Soon a ghoul appeared, and following its guidance we left Mount Hayara.
By the time we reached home, it was already morning. Lucas wore a deeply disappointed expression. Serina, on the other hand, looked troubled the entire way back. Her face was full of worry.
“Serina. Did you hear something serious?”
“...”
The witch stared at me intently, then suddenly leaned in close.
“W-what…!”
Her nose touched mine. Up close, she really was beautiful. If not for her rotten personality, I would have kissed her right then. Though she probably would have bitten my tongue off if I tried.
“Never mind. It’s nothing. Why would I even bother with you. Tch.”
“Why are you like this… at least finish what you were going to say.”
The witch immediately went inside the house.
“Allen, I should get going too. I need to try the method Lord Amon gave me right away.”
“Alright. I hope it works out.”
After Lucas left, the house fell quiet. Ever since meeting Amon, a gloomy aura had settled over the witch. She lay in bed with the blanket pulled over her head.
“Serina. Are you sick?”
“No.”
“Are you in a bad mood?”
“Don’t talk to me.”
“O-okay…”
She was back to her prickly self. Goddammit. This only happens once or twice, but does being pretty make it all okay? This is bullshit.
“Hey.”
“What the fuck…!”
I was so startled that a curse slipped out. She must have heard my inner thoughts.
“Hey. How do I look?”
“What do you mean…?”
“What do you think of me?”
“What is there to think? I think you’re a witch.”
“If I told you to marry me, could you do it?”
“Speak clearly, Serina… what did I do wrong?”
“Ugh, you’re so annoying. Hey, get lost. Disappear from my sight.”
“Why are you acting like this…? Was the pork we had yesterday bad?”
“I don’t know. I don’t even want to look at you. Get out.”
“F-fine… tell me when you feel better.”
Apparently she couldn’t go a single day without throwing a fit. Not knowing when the next spark would fly, I hurriedly left the house. I had to clean the barn anyway.
I spent a while shoveling sheep dung. They sure had produced a lot. Still, it was far better than the stench of that vampire and ghoul earlier. Compared to that, this smelled like flowers.
“Woof woof. Woof woof woof.”
Melo came over and started acting cute beside me.
“Were you okay, Melo? Sorry your big brother was too busy to take care of you.”
Being here made it feel like I had finally returned to normal life. The days before the witch showed up.
“Woof woof. Woof woof woof. Grrrr…”
Melo suddenly began barking like crazy. The witch had opened the door and stepped outside. Why did she come out?
“Serina. Why aren’t you sleeping more?”
“I want to take a walk.”
“A walk?”
“Yeah. Lead the way.”
“But… I have a lot of work to do…”
“Am I more important? Or is work more important?”
“W-well, work is more… ack… let go and we can talk…”
Serina had grabbed me by the throat. S-save me. I can’t breathe…
“I’ll ask again. Am I more important? Or is work more important?”
“Ack… y-you’re more important…”
“Next time, speak properly.”
“Ugh… yes…”
“Who are you going to marry?”
“I-I don’t know. There aren’t any women, so how could I get married?”
“Are you going to marry Melo or marry me?”
“What kind of nonsense is that?”
“Ugh. Hurry up.”
“M-Melo? Ackkk… j-just kidding.”
Slice. A lock of my hair fell away. The witch had sliced it off with her long nails.
“Not funny.”
“S-sorry… I’ll marry you.”
Even with my answer, the witch didn’t seem satisfied.
“So annoying. Just guide me. Somewhere with lots of flowers.”
“O-okay. There’s a place with lots of cherry blossoms in bloom. Shall we go there?”
“Anywhere is fine.”
Grumbling, I headed toward the hill behind the house. It was a spot where cherry blossoms stood in a neat row, the perfect place for couples. There was also the reservoir right in front, making it nice for a stroll.
“Witch, why are you so slow?”
Normally she would be walking ahead of me, but today her steps were sluggish. She kept her eyes fixed on the ground. I glanced at Serina, then spotted the fully bloomed flowers ahead and ran forward.
“This is insane. Look how beautifully the cherry blossoms have opened. Serina, come look at this.”
When I turned around, the witch had fallen over. It was surprising to see a witch trip.
“Serina. Are you hurt?”
“Ughhh. So annoying. Everything is so annoying.”
“What’s wrong…?”
“I don’t know, okay!”
She pounded my chest with her fist. Ow. Ow. That hurts. Is my chest caving in?
“Get up.”
I took her hand and helped her to her feet.
“Are you okay?”
Oddly enough, she had scraped her knee. It was surprising that she could even get hurt like that.
“I’m not okay. It’s annoying.”
“Did you hear something upsetting from Amon?”
“You don’t need to know.”
“There, there. Let’s put some ointment on it when we get back down.”
I took the grumbling witch’s hand and led her toward the cherry blossoms. Serina didn’t let go. Instead, she gripped my hand even tighter.
“This feels good.”
“What?”
“I said this feels good.”
“Holding hands?”
“Yeah. Do this for me whenever I’m in a bad mood.”
“O-okay.”
It felt strange. Maybe it was the cherry blossoms drifting through the air. How nice it would be if the witch stayed this obedient. But that was probably only possible in my dreams.
We sat down on the grass at the bottom of the hill. A gentle breeze blew, sending cherry blossom petals dancing on the wind. A crimson sunset sank over the calm surface of the reservoir.
“Huh…?”
Serina leaned her head on my shoulder. Ugh… it’s heavy. It feels like my shoulder is going to break. If I pulled away now, she’d probably try to kill me. She doesn’t look like she’s in a good mood, so I’d better stay still. She must be really tired today. The witch really has been acting strange all day.