Chapter 18

To celebrate our winning of the opposition team exam my mother used all her skills and cooked up a feast .

It was very lively with 2 extra people and I must admit it didnt feel bad at all, though most of the noise came from my parents .

Sasha stared complaining that celebrating her own loss was hard to swallow but as soon as she had some of my mothers homemade food she fell silent .

It seems even in this age my mothers cooking is incredibly delicious .

And and?? What did Arnos-chan say to invite Sasha-chan to the group?

Here we go again . It seems clearing up my mothers misunderstanding will be difficult . Sasha is facing the same question torture that Misha went through .

It was nothing special . Become my subordinate . That was it, pretty much .

Iyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!! Become my subordinate? Whats with that? If you act like a clumsy man, any girl will fall for itttttttttttttt!

Listening to my mother scream Sashas face takes on a difficult look .

The reason? Why did Arnos-chan invite Sasha-chan?

No reason really . Im just good war potential . Thats all .

What? Thats it? Thats suspicious . Whats the reason Misha-chan?

Misha swallowed the salad she was eating and said in an indifferent voice .

. Your demon eyes are beautiful?

If you say such a killing phrase any woman will definitely fall in looooooooooooooove!! Arnos-chan is a natural gigolo . The gap due to his awkwardness is too much .

How did Misha know that? Was she listening to me using Thought Transmission <Liikus>?

Whatever . Its a standard strategy for anyone using Demon King Army <Guys> to activate <Liikus> without being ordered to anyway .

Can you avoid saying unnecessary things please Misha

Was it bad . . ?

Being directly asked caused Sasha to turn her face away in surprise .

Not especially .

Fumu . It looks like my mother thinks they are arguing now . She has a nervous look on her face that says I was careless .

My father casually catches my eyes and nods in a profound and farsighted way . Its a face that says I have nothing more to teach you .

Yare yare . Like the time with Misha Ive been waiting for it to calm down so I can explain that shes not another bride but at the moment my mothers got a tearful face and seems ready to cry .

Lets wait for another opportunity .

Well, I dont suppose it matters . Its not like Ill die from a misunderstanding .

The lively meal seems to finish in the blink of an eye . Ill send Sasha and Misha home .

When I came back into the shop after talking to my father in his workshop I saw Sasha and Misha waiting for me standing side by side .

Silence .

I understand Misha . Shes originally a person of few words but Sasha does not have a silent personality . It was a weird feeling with no talking going on .

At first, I thought that it was because she had to eat with a trash doll but Sashas attitude doesnt seem to suggest thats the reason .

Zepes and Liorg were also like this too . Its a story I dont understand .

I decide to wait a little longer and watch the two of them from the shadows .

The silence continued for 10 minutes but it became impossible for Sasha to endure it any longer and she started talking in a subdued voice .

Late .

. Nn .

The silence returns .

Nee .

Nn .

. . Weve spoken a lot today . Its unusual .

Nn .

Do you like him Misha?

. . Him . . ?

Oh forhim, Arnos .

Misha thinks about it for a while .

Like .

Fuuun . Whats good about him?

Kind

Where? He was like a demon in the group opposition test .

I am kind you know .

. Hes strict on his enemies .

I see . What an inconsistent fellow .

The silence returns for a while .

. . Sasha . . ?

What?

Do you like Arnos?

Haaaaa!? Such a thing is impossible .

Sasha denied it at full power while her face was red .

. . That so . .

It is .

Misha stares into Sashas eyes . Perhaps because she was excited <Demon Eyes of Ruin> had formed in her eyes .

But . Sasha mutters in a small voice .

If its Arnos I can stare at him with these eyes . Sasha trails off like shes speaking to herself .

. . Nn .

Hes truly crazy . My demon eyes are beautiful? Even though they are cursed to destroy whatever I look at without my permission . However-

Sasha cut off her own words then started speaking again .

Someone with the same eyes as mine . Ive finally met that person for the first time .

Its only a bit but she smiles .

Thats all .

. . I understand . .

Sasha quietly watches Misha who does not look away .

That reminds me . Misha is also the same .

. . The same . . ?

You can look me straight in the eyes .

Misha nods .

Of course she can . Mishas demon eyes are strong as well . Sashas <Demon Eyes of Ruin> will be resisted .

Do you remember? Our childhood? I could not control these demon eyes at all and I was destroying everything so I was locked away in a prison made from magic .

I remember

Sasha looks down after remembering .

While everybody else avoided entering my field of vision Misha was always by my side .

We practised together .

Sasha laughs a nostalgic laugh .

Thats right . Thanks to you, as long as I dont meet someones gaze directly I dont carelessly injure people anymore .

Sasha tried hard .

Instead of answering Sasha just nods .

Nee . A while ago . It felt nostalgic .

Hand?

Yeah .

Me too

In a timid voice, Sasha says

Is again . . okay?

. . Nn . .

The two of them hold hands .

We always used to do this . I wasnt let out of the prison so whenever I started crying Misha held my hand and made me smile .

Misha nods .

Honestly . I dont know whos the older sister sometimes .

Sasha is the older sister .

Sasha smiles wryly at her .

Misha . Im only going to say this once .

Misha nods .

. . Im sorryplease forgive me . .

Misha shakes her head from side to side .

I wasnt angry . .

Sashas eyes rounded in surprise .

Really?

. Nn

The two of them stare at each other and grasp each others hand firmly .

Fumu . I dont understand everything thats going on but at least they seem to have reconciled . Why were they originally fighting though? Its mysterious .

Whatever . They are at a vigorous age . It could have been a worthless reason for all I know .

I called out to them .

Sorry, Ive kept you waiting . I send you home now .

Its fine . Ill walk home .

I look at Misha and she nods as well .

Taking the time to walk home? How commendable .

Its fine . Then have a good day .

Still holding hands the pair leave the house .

I dont say anything but start walking next to them .

Why are you coming as well?

I said Id send you home . I stand by my word .

The story behind Transfer <Gatom> . Will you tell me while we walk?

Its also fun to waste time occasionally I suppose .

Fuuun .

Sahsa turns a look to me that says strange guy but I brush it off lightly .

In the end, I didnt talk about <Gatom> at all and Sasha seemed to forget about it after a bit .

Perhaps the impact of my mother was too strong?

Oh, that reminds me . Do you know?

Naturally .

She turns her gaze my way .

What a dangerous fellow . If I wasnt me Id have passed out by now .

I havent said anything yet .

Its impossible for there to be something I dont know about .

I see . Well then, even though you already know, our lecturer for tomorrows great magic formation is one of the old 7 Demon Emperors . Aivis Necron .

Fumu . Is that so? I didnt know that .

Then say so from the beginning!!

Dont get so excited . I was joking .

One of the old 7 Demon Emperors? Its a name Im curious about .

Sasha . Why are they called the old 7 Demon Emperors?

Im amazed . You just said that there was nothing you didnt know about . You dont know about the old 7 Demon Emperors? You truly are an inept person .

So? What is it?

2000 years ago the founder used his own blood and made 7 subordinates . They are the founders of the demon king tribe and inherited the traits and talents of the founder .

I know that . because I did it after all .

I dont really know much more apart from the followers of the 7 subordinates started calling them the old 7 Demon Emperors .

What . ?

Those fellows are the old 7 Demon Emperors?

Oh, that reminds me . I never did give them names . I was so absorbed in my reincarnation I never found the time to do it .

So the old 7 Demon Emperors started Deruzogedo Demon King Academy and started raising the next generation of demon emperors .

Also, they knew Id one day reincarnate as well so it was for that time as well .

I see .

Then if I meet the old 7 Demon Emperors it should be really easy to prove I am the founder .

Somethings strange though . Those fellows are mazoku who were born during the age of mythology but the management of Deruzogedo Demon King Academy is way too negligent when it shouldnt be .

Also, they should know me above all others so how was I branded an inept person?

Not to mention the mazoku have fallen into bloodline pedigree . I thought it must be because they became incompetent over the years but perhaps theres another reason?

Im walking next to Misha while thinking darkly .

Before long-

ArnosArnos . .

I finally noticed that Sasha was calling me .

Whats wrong?

Whats wrong? Nothing . Weve arrived . This is our home .

Theres a gate in front of me and a splendid mansion can be seen set further back .

After learning about the old 7 Demon Emperors you fell silent . Is something wrong?

No, its nothing .

Is that so . Well then, thank you for escorting us . Have a good day .

Turning on her heels Sasha leaves .

Goodbye .

Ou . See you tomorrow .

. Nn .

Misha also heads towards the mansion .

I still dont have enough information to work out how I have been branded inept .

I can think of a few possibilities but they are all guesses at the end of the day .

Never mind . Tomorrow I get to meet one of the old 7 Demon Emperors so I should understand more then .

Theres no hurry . Lets bide my time and wait .

Should I return home?

While still thinking Sasha came back to the gate .

Whats wrong?

. Nothing .

Then why did you come back?

. Arnos .

Nn?

You know . She abruptly turns away while blushing bashfully . Thank you . .

For what?

. . Because . . thanks to you . Ive reconciled with Misha .

What? Did Sasha want to make up all this time but couldnt due to her stubborn character?

I havent done anything great .

Thats not true . Becoming your subordinate . Nobody would normally say such a reckless thing . Sasha seems happy and laughs . Except for you .

Fumu . I wasnt in danger of dying at all so it was nothing much for me .

By the way . Why were you fighting?

Sashas expression clouds over .

Its silly . A really trivial thing . . however, there was something I could never hand over . Thats it .

Did you settle it?

Yeah . it seems so

Sashas manner of speech is breaking down .

I want to ask you something .

What?

What if fate has already decided on something . What would you do?

I answer immediately .

If you dont like it, change it . If you dont mind it, it doesnt matter .

Sashas face had a blank expression before she asked me

Do you think fate can be changed?

Yeah . Its easy .

What would you do?

Break it .

Sashas eyes rounded a little before she smiled .

Nee . Come here a moment .

I refuse .

. Why are you refusing? Just come here .

I dont like being ordered around .

Mou . How selfish are you?

Sasha sighs in amazement .

Will you come over here?

Very good .

I move over to Sasha .

More .

What are you doing-

When I step forward Sasha kisses me on the lips .

Due to a conditioned reflex, I activate <Liikus> and try to read her mind . The reason being that there is a specific curse that activates through a kiss .

Sashas mind comes flowing in .

-This is the first and last kiss-

Theres no hostility but I feel a brave but tragic resolve .

I dont know how long it took but she separates her body quickly .

. Thats a kiss between friends . A mere thank you .

Blushing bashfully Sasha looks down .

. . But you are my first . Ive never done that with anyone else .

I dont know what shes thinking but I wont shame her .

Fumu . I got something precious then . Thank you .

Sasha blinks in surprise and mutters strange mongrel

Then see you tomorrow .

Ou .

Waving my hand I activate my magic and use <Gatom>

Just before my scenery turns white

Nee . Arnos . . Im glad I met you

Sashas voice echoes in my ears .