Demon Lord (Temporarily Off Duty)
For several days after the Journey began, we focused on resolving Rosaria's housing situation.
One might assume that carrying her belongings around helped me grow closer to the Demon Lord, but...
Um, where should I put this?
...Over here, please.
Truly lacking in taste, just as your appearance would suggest.
That spot won't do. Move it somewhere with more sunlight.
There's a lot of stuff. Could you help, at least...?
The furniture's heavy, and I'm exhausted...
Judging by the sweat, it does seem quite warm in here.
Since things have come to this, go out and buy some ice cream.
I want mine topped with white truffles and edible gold leaf.
...They don't have that in Lavistar.
Then make it yourself. Do I have to explain everything?
Honestly, you lack even the slightest sense of taste.
Strange. I was certain Alicia had asked me to go on the Journey with her.
And yet... why am I spending the entire day waiting on her hand and foot?
Hello, Captain! I'm here to deliver the items you ordered!
Please confirm the recipient, and if everything looks fine, I'll need your signature!
I already received all the supplies NOA provided, though...
Maybe there's some kind of misunderstanding?
Huh...? That's strange. I was definitely requested to deliver this parcel to the Journey Captain.
See here?
Vera hadn't made a mistake. The request form clearly stated "Journey Captain."
The problem was who placed the request...
It says Rosaria!!
Stop screeching. It's all coming from the Journey funds provided by NOA or whatever, is it not?
A Journey member using some of their support funds is hardly an issue.
That money isn't meant to be used like this...!
Worse still, every piece of furniture had the same function as the ones provided by NOA.
The only difference was how ridiculously expensive they were.
Nngghhh...!
Oh, right! This one's cash on delivery, so I'll charge the shipping to you, Captain!
Have a wonderful day! This was Vera, delivering with heart!
Aaaaagh!!
I refuse to put up with this! I'm not your servant!
Of course not. It would take you several thousand years to be worthy of serving me.
Still, one cannot entirely dismiss the desire of those beneath them to be acknowledged.
Very well. I am in a generous mood.
I hereby appoint you as my temporary provisional, acting servant candidate.
Absolutely not!
The Captain and Journey member are supposed to be equals on the Journey...!!
Ahaha! Equals? A mere human, daring to claim such a thing?
Do not assume my participation in the Journey places me within your human boundaries.
Above all, why do you suppose I maintain the form of a [Demon Lord]?
You said your chair burned up!
Naturally. That is the primary reason.
But the reason I remain in this form, exchanging such trivial banter with you...
Is solely due to my contract with that witch, Alicia.
You... made a contract with Alicia?
Indeed. I know not what she busies herself with, but she appears rather occupied.
As a result, she is unable to fully attend to the [tear] caused by the dimensional fusion...
So I restrain it to keep it from festering, and in return, NOA accommodates my needs.
...
Now do you understand who holds the leash?
If you thought I would treat you kindly like those other humans, you are gravely mistaken.
Extending her foot, Rosaria shoved me toward the door.
I am tired from all this talking. Go and fetch the ice cream I mentioned earlier, acting... whatever-servant.
Bring along something light to cleanse the palate as well.
Despite her unchanged demeanor, I found myself speechless.
Only now did I realize... Or, rather, had known from the very beginning and simply refused to admit...
She and I were not equals in this Journey.
Can we... really see the Journey through to the end like this?