Volume 4, Chapter 1: I became a 4th Grader, Part 1

A year has passed and Im a 4th grader, now.

Of course, I hardly ever go to school so having a school arc was completely impossible, after all.

There was a declaration of war from the Daemon King, but the Holy Kingdom of Tariterudo is still too peaceful.

Since Tariterudo is far from the Daemon territory and a Holy Boundary was stretched across the whole country in preparation for the Demon Beastfrom the start, the magic that the Daemons riders use cant break through it.

Though I had a hard time making sure that my attendants werent affected

Also, given that the brand-name products of this country like the[Hero of the Holy Kingdom], the [Holy Paladin], and the [Saint of the Holy Kingdom], the public is naturally at ease.

I was having doubts about Ricks fighting strength but when I thought about it, once hed been given that [Title], it seems that the Spirit of Light have sort-of stayed, and the skills of the two have been going up. Its different from the self-proclaimed hero.

Although that Vampire beauty Millaine-chan did mention once that the Holy Kingdom was the Land from which the Holy Ones were born, was this it?

The blessing didnt come to me, though. Spirits-of-light, wont you speak just a little? Eh, youre sleepy? Is that so

Although there were [Intelligence Reports] that came from who-knows-where that said that the Daemon Kings army was using the Demon Beast, even then it was still relatively calm.

After all, since I had repelled the Demon Beast, He had openly declared that I would be his first target, so the ambassadors from the other countries were unexpectedly sympathetic to me. Internally, though, they were just relieved that their countries were safe.

Still, being the ambassador of a small country that didnt have much military strength, we couldnt entirely stamp out the feeling of unease, so it seems like Im going to have to go on a Saint (Idol) tour once again in the meantime.

Is it okay if I dont sing?

What I meant earlier by too peaceful, is that tonight theres a [Party for the Heroes of the Holy Kingdom], and Im attending this ball.

Millaine-sama, you came.

The ball was organised by the merchant guild in the capital. When Zest-san who became the new Duke Kapell called out to Millaine, who I had forced to attend, a large amount of people congregated around her made entirely of males, who trembled as she met their gaze.

What the hecks with those reactions?

Yurushia-sama, I am feeling a little warm, so lets go outside to the terrace.

Eh, Millaine-sama?

Millaine, who gave the man an elegant smile, left the men surrounding her, and took my hand, heading to the terrace.

Because youre feeling warm, huh Although there isnt much in the way of temperature differences here between the seasons, is it winter now?

Millaine please dont use me as your pest repellent.

When I took off my [Dukes Daughter] mask out on the terrace, Millaine also reverted from her [Countess Successor] mode and sighed heavily.

Well I cant help it if a [Soul] thats that thin approaches me.

Millaine is 18. As the beautiful maiden called the [Silver Princess], she was already remarkably popular. Now that she was tentatively the head of the Counts house, a large number of marriage proposals from the second and third sons of other aristocrats aiming to become the son-in-law of the house came fluttering in.

Millaine used to lavish smiles upon everyone regardless of gender previously, but after I taught her how to distinguish what kind of person would have tasty blood, shes totally become an [Gourmet].

Oh, that reminds me, I have the prototype, Millaine, would you like to try it?

Please.

When I brought out the octopus tentacles that Ive secretly brought, Millaine received it with a sullen face.

These things that come from the basement of my home theyre annoyingly good.

Its not merely good. Its delicious, no?

But, my hands still stink of the ocean after handling these

Only the two of them were on the terrace at this party seeing the [Golden Princess] and the [Silver Princess] talking, many eyes watched them intently.

In the midst of this, the dried octopus that was seasoned with souls for the consumption of the Demons that lived in the Holy Kingdom was being concealed by the Demon and Vampire aristocrat with a fan. Yup, nothing to say about that.

A portion of the Octopi were being sold by the Carpe company, but it wasnt popular with human beings even though its so delicious.

When you look for a groom, will you be searching for a noble with a rich soul, to be able to make him a vampire?

Not yet. Im not that desperate in terms of age yet.

For a noble lady, it was best if they married by the age of 20.

Come to think of it, when does a vampire reach adulthood? I mean, arent you actually dressing younger than you are? Millaine, arent you actually over 200 years old?

Yurushia-sama, please dont make people sound like theyre grannies. Theres no reason that Vampires should age, you know? I havent changed a bit since I became a vampire in my late teens.

Really? I thought that you grew a little since we first met

Its because I tampered with my own bones and muscles, not because I was forcibly changed. Well, its best to be between ones teens and twentiesAre Demons different?

But Im growing naturally, though.

Thats not entirely normal.

When I replied readily, Millaine had an amazed face as she muttered under her breath Yurushia-sama is really irresponsible Hey, thats rude in various ways.

I think that my core is that of a [Demon], but since I have a humans mind and body as well, I dont know how its been affected.

Im growing normally, but I wonder if Ill grow old? If so, there wont be a problem for me to live as a human being, but that hope is slim at best

Perhaps, if my body is just trying to remain in its [Optimal] state, I may not even have a fixed lifespan.

Hey, Millaine, what do you think of those two?

In my line of sight, were two boys that were surrounded by noble ladies and young knights in this extravagant hall.

Rick and Noel. Aged 13 and 12. Theyre on the cusp of growing into adults.

While I came to this ball being escorted by the two of them, since so many people wanted to talk to the Holy Paladin and Hero, weve been separated.

Even then, only the religion-related people are talking to me

Well~ 50 points?

Eh? Whats with the scoring system? Rather, why that amount of points?

If she says its because of their looks, Im going to fill Millaines house with seaweed.

Although they seem to have tasty souls, its a pity that their combat power seems to be low, since theyre young.

I-I see

It was a surprisingly serious assessment. I was surprised.

I hadnt meant to hear her evaluation of their fighting power Well, I guess its a mistake to ask a [Non-human] for their assessment of a human.

I have few people I call friends.

For human friends I guess its Shelly and Betty, then Noel and Rick.

The two girls seem to accept [Me] as I am more or less, but what about Rick and Noel?

Especially Noel, who is now the [Hero of the Holy Kingdom]-sama, what will he do if he ever discovers that Im not human?

Even if Im worrying about it now, it cant be helped.

Now, what I have to worry more about is Him.

Even with His disposition, I dont think that Ill be having a rematch with him before he Manifests a body.

Im sure Hes saving up power now.

And by the time we have a rematch, I have to decide Where we stand.

Until then

Millaine, are you going out to play soon?

As I asked her with a Demons smile on my face, Millaine had an astonished face and her eyes brightened.

That is, the Daemon Kings army?

Youre tired of the underworld of the Holy Kingdom, no? Its too peaceful for a state at war. Perhaps the backers of the underworld are with the Daemon Kings army, so why dont you go and play with them?

As I said so, Millaine smiled wryly and leaked out a small sigh.

Finally, Im not working behind the scenes.

Go out to play, go play. Seriously, I dont really understand that Daemon King. To give such a grand declaration of war like it was nothing, I dont get it at all.

Ah~

Hmm?

Millaine suddenly leaked a voice of understanding, even as she stared into the distance.

Whats that? Did you figure something out?

Anyways, its really peaceful

I had asked my attendants to go and [Keep an Eye] on the Daemon army you guys, youre clearly doing something on your own, arent you?