Once you take this, you'll want to do anything I say."
"Wh-What...!?"
He opened the box.
In there were rings the size of a fist, tighly packed inside.
The rings were yellow with a white something sticking to them like mold.
This eerie sight, dangerous color, and sweet aroma drifting from them caused the criminal's hair to stand on end.
"Wh-What are those...? What do you intend to do with them...?!"
"Heh heh, these, you see, are for this."
The magician picked one out by the hand and drew it near Kishirika's mouth.
Simultaneously, two black knights seized the criminal so that she couldn't move a muscle.
"Say 'ahh'."
"S-St... St... Stop iiiit!!!"
--- Rudeus' POV ---
Kishirika Kishiris, the Great Emperor of the Demon Realm, was crying while eating the donuts I brought.
"So such a wonderful thing existed in the world, these wonders...!"
They were donuts made with eggs and sugar procured from the Holy Country of Milis.
The producer: Aisha Greyrat.
A while back, she had heard from Nanahoshi that there was a food like this and had taught herself how to make them.
Our meals at home are made using plenty of oil, so gathering the ingredients was simple.
"This One knows not what to say...! Mayhaps This One was born to happen upon this flavor...!"
Kishirika had looked like she was in a bad mood when she arrived in the audience hall, but it looked long cured by now.
Must be the magic of donuts.
When were having the donuts sampled, Roxy had tried some too and the result was exceptional.
I'm not sure I've ever seen Roxy look so happy before.
I, at least, can't make her produce such a happy-looking expression.
No, I was the one who made the route to Milis to replenish stocks. Therefore, it could be said I was the cause of that happy expression.
Father-in-law, Mother-inlaw, I'm making Roxy very happy. With donuts that Aisha made.
Regardless, donuts have the magic power to render demons powerless.
"Oh..."
But that magic power was limited since the magic worked on a number of casts system.
Kishirika had finished eating 12 donuts and was making a sorrowful expression.
"Is there no more...?"
"There isn't."
"...If you were to give This One a second helping, This One would grant anything you desire."
"Those are the words I wanted to hear," he said with a smile, and Kishirika made an expression of realization and tightly embraced her own body.
"Kh... So you're after This One's body... No matter how many delicious things you feed This One, This One's body is Badi's... But being allowed to each such deliciousness... Kh!"
"I'm abstinent for the time being, so I'll pass."
"I see... Enduring it does not do wonders for one's body, you know?"
"Even if I were unable to endure it, I would ask my wives."
"Wives? Ohh, is that so. You were already married. Goodness gracious, human's grow so quick..."
Now then, for the issue at hand.
I came here today just to ask this.
Since Kishirika will reward whoever gives her food, I went out of the way to have donuts made.
"To start, I wish for you to find a man name Gies using your power."
"Hoh, Gies..."
"Yes, his characteristics are—"
I told Kishirika Gies' detailed characteristics and what was thought to be his real name that was written in the letter.
"Hrmm, I feel like I've heard about this fellow somewhere... One moment."
Kishirika, her mouth still dirty, began moving her eyes around.
Her eyes were transforming like a clattering slot machine and suddenly stopped at a certain moment.
They were one of Kishirika's magic eyes, Clairvoyance.
She examined the air with them and began viewing somewhere else with a frown.
"Hoh... Hm... That... Oh, looks good..." Kishirika mumbled, her gaze roaming.
And once again, at a certain timing, Kishirika came to a sudden halt.
"Found him."
It was in no time at all.
"The Kingdom of Bihaeril, the eastern tip of the northern lands. He is speaking with someone in a forest... Good gracious, such a villainous face..."
Kishirika bent even more forward while letting out an 'Ihihi' laughter.
"Now then, he is speaking to... Hm?"
Instantly, Kishirika's expression dimmed.
"I can't see anymore."
Kishirika made a serious expression, a complete change from a moment ago and she closed her eyes.
She faced toward the sky while keeping her eyes closed, as if resting them.
But after a short while, she slowly opened them.
"This feeling... That must be it. The one you are fighting at current is Hitogami...isn't it?"
In a complete contrast to her usual self, she was giving off a quiet impression almost like a different person.
"That's right."
"To fight Hitogami means, in other words, you are follower to the Dragon God, are you not?"
"...Right."
"Hrrmmm..."
Kishirika folded her arms and tightened her jaw.
It was a forced thinking pose.
Several seconds later, she again looked up at the sky as if gazing at the moon.
Although, currently it was noon the weather was good; only clouds were passing by.
"And Atofe, you are following this man?"
"Yeah."
"Then...mayhaps this is divine will."
There wasn't a trace left of her usual playful atmosphere, almost like a sage.
I wonder how that happened.
Did the donuts go down the wrong pipe...?
"Lord Kishirika, you know of Hitogami?"
"Indeed. This One has history with him... Honestly, This One thought the connection was already gone."
"History you say?"
"Tis nothing much. A mere 4,200 years ago, This One was used—both This One and Badi, by Hitogami who wanted to kill Laplace."
4,2000 years ago...?
Ah, around the Second Human-Demon War.
"If I recall, the Fighting God and Dragon God had fought."
"Indeed. Badi, clad in the Fighting God armor in order to protect me, with Laplace the Magic Dragon King."
"Huh... His Majesty Badigadi had?"
I suppose the truth just revealed could be called shocking.
So the man behind the Fighting God was Badigadi...?
Orsted never told me anything like that.