Chapter 44: Worms and Flowers
“What is the legendary black dragon that protects the country?”
“Don’t you know? Well, this is a story that can never be told to a saint affiliated with the church.”
“A story that can’t be told to a saint?”
“Yes.”
Lala-san understood my question and continued to explain.
“The legendary black dragon is a story from the ancient religious era before the country was established. Do you know that Lucidia Kingdom, our country, is a peninsula that protrudes southward from the continent?”
“Yes.”
“Well, Lucidia Kingdom is named after the Lucidia royal family, but before that, the peninsula was called Draco Cocoon. And in that era, people believed in a black dragon that protected the peninsula. However, since the first king of Lucidia Kingdom took control of the peninsula, the traditional black dragon faith disappeared as a primitive heresy.”
Clap, clap, clap.
Black Dragon-san clapped his hands with a smile.
“Wow. There are still people who know about it.”
Black Dragon-san seemed impressed that Lala-san’s explanation was correct.
While I was a little concerned about Demon King-sama’s not-so-bright expression next to me, I listened to Lala-san’s explanation.
“Draco Cocoon has black fertile soil and is the most abundant land with food overflowing more than any other land on the continent. Well, that’s why there were long-lasting wars. Anyway, the prosperity of Draco Cocoon was believed to be the blessing of the black dragon, the land god of the peninsula.”
“Oh, I see. . .”
“I’m still protecting people properly even now. Isn’t that great?”
“Wow! That’s amazing!”
I was honestly moved by Black Dragon-san’s casual words.
Lala-san looked at him with a hand on her waist, looking amazed.
“It’s strange for me, who is being protected, to say this, but it’s impressive that you still don’t abandon the humans who treated you as a heretic.”
“Well, it’s not like I care what those insignificant humans think, since just my existence alone makes the land prosperous.”
“Insignificant humans, huh.”
“It’s like watering a flower bed and being thanked by the earthworms living in it. It doesn’t matter to me.”
“E-earthworms. . .flower bed. . .”
“Well, to me, the flowers in the flower bed are important ♡.”
Black Dragon-san made a peace sign with both hands and smiled. (It’s a pose that everyone in the country knows, originating from the hero in a fairy tale who raised two fingers to indicate victory.)
After gazing at Black Dragon-san with half-closed eyes, Lala-san turned her gaze to me.
“Hiira. That’s what the legendary Black Dragon means. It’s a story that can’t be taught in the doctrine of the current church, which deifies the first king. It’s natural that Hiira, a saint belonging to the church, doesn’t know about it.”
“Why does Lala-san know about it?”
“The old festival song that remains in my hometown is a song that prays for a bountiful harvest to the Black Dragon. It’s an unofficial festival of the lord, so it remains because of that. So honestly, when I saw the Black Dragon in the Demon King’s castle, I couldn’t believe my eyes. . .The amount of magic power and presence were exactly the same as the Black Dragon in the local legend.”
“Hmm, I see. There are still people who know about that kind of thing.”
Black Dragon-san grinned happily.
“I thought everyone had forgotten about it already.”
“Not really. If my grandmother from my hometown saw the Black Dragon, she would bow down and worship it.”
“Really? Should I go see her?”
“Please don’t. What if the cult is revived? Also, personally, I researched it in the library during my time at the magic academy. I got the key to the forbidden area and read the forbidden books.”
“Lala-san, you were crossing a dangerous bridge.”
“Knowledge is my only weapon. I have to sharpen it.”
Lala-san stuck out her tongue. I was just impressed.
With Lala-san’s intelligence and knowledge, many things become clear.
I saw Demon King-sama.
“So, Demon King-sama is with Black Dragon-san.”
“Yeah.”
Demon King-sama avoided the topic with vague words and lowered his gaze. Hmm, maybe it’s a topic he doesn’t want to touch.
Thinking that, Black Dragon-san put his arm around Demon King-sama’s shoulder with a good smile.
“That’s right. Unlike the riffraff of humans, Demon King-sama is someone I want to pledge my loyalty to.”
“So, in other words, he’s not a worm, but a flower in a flower bed?”
“Lala-chan is correct~♪.”
Suddenly, at that moment, despite the carefree attitude of Black Dragon-san, Demon King-sama’s golden eyes seemed to darken.
Worms and flowers in a flower bed.
If humans were worms, then Demon King-sama was a flower in a flower bed. Demon King-sama’s expression darkened at the mention of that.
I was curious about Demon King-sama’s expression and spoke up.
“Um, does that mean, Demon King-sama. . .”
――As a flower in a flower bed, are you sacrificing something for the sake of humans?
Just as I was about to ask, Black Dragon-san interrupted me.
“Come to think of it, Lala-chan, what stories do they still tell you about me in your hometown?”
“Well, there’s the one about you drinking all the village’s sake at the festival and getting drunk and rolling around.”
“Ah~!! That brings back memories~!!”
Black Dragon-san and Lala-san were getting excited about their old stories.
I became convinced that my anxiety was justified.
Could it be that Black Dragon-san deliberately avoided the topic of Demon King-sama?
There was so much information, and I couldn’t understand their intentions. I just kept quiet.
Then, Demon King-sama quietly spoke to me.
“Hiira. About Synovidos’ room. . .”
“Ah, y-yes.”
I had completely forgotten. We were talking about wanting to add a room for Synovidos.
For some reason, Demon King-sama blushed and carefully chose his words.
“Anyway, Synovidos is just there to protect you. . .I don’t think it’s a good idea to make his room a place for you to stay since you’re still unmarried. . .”
“But Synovidos doesn’t look at me like that, I’m sure.”
Demon King-sama’s serious gaze pierced through me.
“What about me. . .do you have any feelings for me?”
“Eh. W-Well, that is. . .”
“I mean, do you see me as a potential romantic partner?”
“. . .Eh, um. . .”
I stumbled over my words.
Feeling my face flush, I unconsciously looked away. Demon King-sama hesitated and whispered.
“For example, if I said I wanted to live with you, what would you do?”
“Eh?”
“. . .Would you have feelings for me?”
The world outside of me and Demon King-sama felt distant.
Demon King-sama’s golden eyes, more mysterious than a cat’s eyes and shining brighter than a full moon, pierced through me seriously and wouldn’t let go.
I couldn’t hear Lala-san or Black Dragon-san’s voices anymore.
“Um, well. . .it’s presumptuous of me to think about having feelings for Demon King-sama or Synovidos. . .”
I feel embarrassed by Demon King-sama’s gaze staring at me.
“Both of you are very kind to me, so I got flustered on my own. . .um. . .I’m sorry.”
As I stumbled over my words, Demon King-sama looked at me with a very gentle expression and smiled.
“You’re conscious of me. . .and him.”
“Uh, um. . .”
“. . .Hiira-dono. Actually. . .”
“!!! That’s it!!”
I clapped my hands at my brilliant idea.
“If Demon King-sama and Synovidos have separate rooms, wouldn’t that be perfect?!”
“?!”
It was a great idea! If they both have their own rooms, it should be okay even if we’re both conscious of each other!
Lala-san responded to my shout.
“Wait a minute, Hiira! Living together with the Demon King, ninja, witch, and saint is just too ridiculous!!!”
“Hahaha, come on, can I live with you guys too?”
“The legendary dragon is joining in?!”
Black Dragon-san laughed loudly while Lala-san made noise next to him.
Demon King-sama looked troubled and held his head.
It was chaotic, but it was a very enjoyable night.
I’m very curious about the relationship between Demon King-sama and Black Dragon-san, but I decided not to delve into it any further because I didn’t want to stir up any trouble.
The next day, no one had yet realized that things would take a turn for the worse.
Suddenly, the customers stopped coming. Just like that.
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