“This is?”
“Kekeke. It’s a tool that Humans need in their daily lives. Just take it as a Gift to acknowledge your achievements and hard work. You can use it later when you return to your room. It’s quite a valuable item so please treasure it.”
“Yes, I will. I’m deeply indebted and thankful.”
Gry bowed respectfully and left Shiroyasha’s room after saying his farewells.
“……Heheh, watching youngsters leave on a new journey really is a pleasant feeling.”
Shiroyasha who was alone in her room lighted up her pipe.
After a few breaths of the incense and her pipe, Shiroyasha spoke to the person outside her window.
“Hey, Kouryuu. How long are you planning to stand out there? Get yourself in here now.”
“Oh, I was found out?”
Kouryuu feinted surprise as he replied and entered from the window with a leap.
A strong gust of night breeze blew in as he did so and the incense smoke was blown out of the room. Shiroyasha immediately rounded on him with fire in her eyes for that was her favorite incense.
“Hey! Can’t you come in through the front door proper?”
“Oh~but with Draco’s son around, it wasn’t convenient for me to come in through the front……but that child seems to have grown to resemble his dad.”
“Yea. If it were possible, I would really wish that he and Griffith could patch up……”
“That would be poking your nose where it shouldn’t belong. For siblings to patch up their relationship, it would require the siblings themselves to be willing.”
Kouryuu laughed heartily. Hearing a subtle meaning in his words, Shiroyasha raised an eyebrow as she asked:
“……Don’t you want to resume your relations with your sister?”
Shiroyasha’s question wiped the smile off Kouryuu’s face.
Kouryuu gazed up at the moon outside the window and seemed to be talking to himself:
“…… That lad from [No Name] asked me this question: What sort of face would you want to bring before your Onee-san? Those words were damn right. Pretending to be a recluse when I’m just a useless person who wanders around. What kind of face do I have to bring before her?”
“……”
“If it were the current me, nothing would change even if I went to meet her. I still don’t have the achievements to hold my head high when I meet her again. If it causes her to be angry with me, it would still be bearable……but I’m afraid that she would cry upon seeing my current self.”
Besides worrying about being a disappointment to the other, he was more worried about causing grief.
And it was with that thought in mind that he found the courage to stand up again.
Shiroyasha closed her eyes seemingly in deep thought but she was thanking Izayoi in her heart.
(Successfully relighting the flames of ambition in the ‘Withered floating log’?……That guy sure is impressive.)
Not waiting for Kouryuu to continue his words, Shiroyasha quickly got to her feet and took a goatskin parchment from the bookshelves to show it to him.
“Kouryuu. If you really want to have some achievements to talk about, I’ve got just the right and important task for you.”
“I knew it. That’s why I had waited outside the room…… its regarding the return of your [Divinity] to Heaven right?”
“Nn. For the days to come, my actions in the public will be under much restrictions. For that time period, the East would lose its [Floor Master]. So, could you…help be my replacement and protect the East Side for me?”
The goatskin parchment that Shiroyasha had passed to him was the proof of a [Floor Master]---the [Authority of a Host Master].
Sweeping his eyes across the inscribed contents, Kouryuu tilted his head and gave a wry smile.
“I’m really thankful for you thinking so highly of me, but it’s just that I do not have much leadership qualities.”
“Nothing of that sort that you need to worry about. I will just appoint you as a VIP guest member of [Thousand Eyes]. If that’s not enough, I can also lend you a portion of the Suns Authorities. That should be more than enough right?”
At that, Kouryuu’s eye couldn’t help but become wide and round.
It wasn’t the problem about needing more or less power but the fact that to have someone treated as a VIP guest member all of a sudden was an unprecedented preferential treatment.
“That…That really flatters me a lot but your opinion of me too high?”
“No. In fact, I judge that I should at least go to that extent. The Demon Lord Alliance is still an unknown number and I predict that their total battle strength to be at least a fourth level or even hitting the third level. And it isn’t time for me to hold back on lending strength. Since the lower levels have a lot of Communities that are worth nurturing.”
Shiroyasha’s words had been serious but when nearing the end, the corners of her lips twitched up into a smile. Kouryuu also nodded his head in agreement.
“About that, I would agree sharing the same sentiments. The lower levels do have a lot of interesting things, including the [No Name].”
“So, does that mean you will accept?”
“Yes. I’m willing to take on the responsibilities of a Stand-in [Floor Master].”
Kouryuu firmly shook Shiroyasha’s extended hand.
The one who stood in this place wasn’t the man who was once called a ‘Withered Floating Log’ anymore.
At this very moment, his body was emitting a strong and unyielding domineering spirit comparable to the days when he, Saurian Demon King had fought against the numerous and famous demigods and deities.
“Good! I will leave the handing over procedures to my Shop assistant to guide you along. If you have any queries, just ask her for I’m leaving right now.”
“What’s the rush?”
“According to the information that Bull Demon King had provided, there’s already one Demon Lord of the Demon Lord Alliance who’s been identified for sure. And he’s a very tricky fellow to deal with. I must take the opportunity to give that Demon Lord a warning before I’m totally restricted.”
Kouryuu’s iris that had narrowed to a slit was giving off a glint as he asked:
“……Which Demon Lord is that? Is he famous?”
Shiroyasha’s face had turned all serious and a little anxious as she cut to the point with the mentioning of the name.
“His name is ---[Maxwell Demon Lord], a demon lord that controls portals.”