"""""""..."""""""
The silence said it all. Kikai had even stopped releasing energy due to her mind processing what all was just said. Segato gracefully stood in a half bow with his left arm outstretched like he was holding out a love letter. Ezrah looked like he died multiple times over after what he just listened to. The fellow Shredders members had their mouths gaped wide in shock, forgetting that they are still held by tentacles. I am just sitting here, enjoying the reactions while narrating--
So... are we in the clear? Or did I just get us all killed?
I choose to remain silent, as if to not interfere with Segato's focus on the task at hand.
Okay. Got it. I need to wait for a response... A much more husky voice from behind Segato had cut through the silence, surprising everyone else.
"... My daughter, what are you doing shamefully poised in chains? Is this another one of those weird role plays you do with your friends? I am afraid I will need to increase your ban from my Outsider Research Room to 1 year, since you cannot learn to restrain yourself on your own..." Kikai's tan skin turned completely pale at the sound of the voice.
"F-father, this is not what it looks like!" she nervously squeaked.
"L-lord Sett, this is not what it looks like," a panicked Ezrah stammered. It was clear as day that everyone recognized and was afraid of this man.
I don't even need you to tell me that this guy is powerful and bad news. Any way I can guarantee avoiding the worst case scenario
The tall, blond, spiky-haired man sported a darker skin tone than his daughter, but the most notable part was his black wife beater barely covering his muscles. This was the real reason why Segato-- who never exercised on a serious level-- looked concerned. He can easily benchpress 200 Segatos. Segato's face seemed to twitch after reading the narrator's text to the end.
Hubris laughed, then replied, "No need to be fake or afraid. This guy is one of Hooligan's people. So greet him like you would your family. That and maybe there is another part I should--"
Okay. I got this! As he ignored Sett's brief frown (and a very important detail that had yet to be mentioned), Segato took a deep breath, then gleefully called out, "Yo, Sett, my brother! This is exactly what it looks like! I put Ezrah up to this so I could confess to your daughter!"
This action made everyone else but Sett pretend they didn't know he existed. Sett's body spewed out a heavy, dark magenta miasma in response. Segato might die before the next paragraph.
I swear to God if I am going to die by this demon lord, at least let me get laid with his daughter, then. She's actually attractive, too. I didn't just make up those compliments. Although it feels weird seeing Ezrah cower in front of this "oh-so-scary" demon lord. I bet if I trained for a bunch of years, I could be that ripped, too. You know what? You can kiss my ass, demon lord. It's not like he can read my mind, anyway.
"Segato, stop thinking out loud, he actually does has the ability to read minds, but apparently can't sense my presence in any capacity since I reside in your soul rather than your mind. Well, he can still see you responding to me, which is probably why he is wary of you currently," Hubris sternly mentioned.
So... I'm probably about to die, huh... Sir Sett disappeared from his position in a flash, and appeared in front of Segato, his fist pulled back. Segato's eyes widened in surprise, as he wasn't ready for the mass difference in speed.
Oh shit. Hmm... I got it, if he can read minds, then...
Segato shut his eyes and quickly thought of Hooligan-- or Faelength, since he goes by that name around here. If the demon lord before him is one of his representatives, they should be on the same side. Surely Hooligan and Lancaster wouldn't have forgotten to tell their followers? When he opened them, he saw the fist stopped inches away from his face. The malicious intent and miasma also subsided.
"Had you not shown me your current thoughts, I would have killed you on spot. Not for disrespecting me, nor for your oddly timed love confession given to my daughter. Who she chooses to spend her time with has nothing to with me. It's for defiling her with your filthy mind out of desperation."
Did the father just indirectly give me his blessing to fuck her daughter so long as she's cool with it? What the hell is wrong with Hool-- Faelength. I really think Hooligan suits his ass better.
"I agree with your way of thinking about that so-called deity. He intentionally causes messes and then skips away without saying anything. The type of people he likes having under his wings are those who make the most chaos. When I was younger, I also used to be like this. Regarding your comment about blessings... I will need some time to discuss this with my wife, should it happen. Let's not discuss this, for now," Sett casually chatted while he twirled his hair in embarrassment. This confused everyone else outside Kikai, who cringed.
I won't lie to you. I honestly feel like I'm talking to a kindred spirit. Nobody else around here seems to understand Hooligan's... "eccentric" side like we do. We should discuss the arrangements Hooligan set up for me, if you are aware of any. Shall we go continue this chat over a cup of jasmine tea? Segato spoke in his thoughts, and his face now appeared relaxed.
"Yes, let's all reconvene at my castle later. There is much I should tell you. Before that..." He stares intensely at his daughter, who is attempting to avoid his gaze. "Depending on your answer and reasoning, I might give you an even more harsh punishment for causing a ruckus in this town. It has already suffered enough at the hands of my fellow outsiders... His confession... What did you think of it, Kikai?"
I think I can speak for the other people observing this when I say that I would hate to be put on the spot like Kikai right now. Segato carefully controlled his thoughts this time to avoid revealing any response from reading my narration. Kikai covered her face, but the steam coming from her face was definitely visible.
"This is too embarrassing and not a proper time to bring this up..." She took some time to compose herself before she answered Sir Sett. "Father, I just met this man, and while he oddly seems great at speaking sweet nothings in my ear, I know nothing about him! Why would I desire a man out of the blue like this?!" Kikai exclaimed. She also snapped the chains in rage.
"Hahahahaha!"
Ezrah couldn't hold back any longer and rolled on the ground while holding his sides. The blush on Kikai's face deepened, and she grabbed her bat-- only for her father to chop her hard on the neck. The bat dropped to the ground with a loud THUD! Its master followed not a second after.
"I apologize that this is what your childhood friend does to you often," Sett groaned. "She used to be such a well behaved girl, but now... She is too quick to violence, and shows little to no respect for authority." Ezrah shook his head.
"It's fine. I've gotten used to her... 'changes.' I'll take Segato over to your castle later. I imagine there is 'somewhere else' he wants to go first, right?"
"Wait why wouldn't we just go there now-- ouch!" Segato cried out as Ezrah smacked him in the stomach with his elbow. "I mean, yeah, Ezrah was gonna take me to meet another Outsider first." Sett frowned at the news.
"I understand. Just be careful. I am sure you heard that most of the other Outsiders around here aren't friendly. They are quick to violence. That's the initial reason why Hooligan proposed a world to put all of us human monsters in. Naturally, it was declined. I was brought over secretly, like many others," Sett stated as he picked up his daughter and her bat.
"Hooligan doing illegal stuff?! Who could have saw that coming?" Segato faked surprise. This makes both Sett and Ezrah chuckle. "Honestly, I am starting to get a better grip on this place, but there is an undeniable fact. I am weak. You could have just killed me if I didn't quickly think earlier."
"That's why I am taking you to meet the Empress. We might be able to get her to train you if she takes a liking to you," Ezrah responded.
"Until next time then, Mr. Evelnoke."
"Likewise, Mr. Sett."
"Anything I should know about this 'Empress' of yours?" Segato inquired. He wasn't sure what to expect, but after his encounter with the demon lord, he had a bad feeling about this.
"She's... it's better to not say anything. I don't feel like it coming back to bite me later."
What did Ezrah mean just now, I wonder...
"He is hinting at the Empress, Layla, being another of Hooligan's favorites for a reason. That Hooligan chose her means she is going to have some level of eccentric behavior, on top of being exceptionally powerful. We can infer this from Mr. Sett." Hubris whispered. Segato's face begun to drain of all color. Having to deal with 2 near-death experiences in a single day was not on his to-do list.
After he saw his reaction, Ezrah hurriedly spoke, "Make no mistake. The Empress is weird, but she's a good person. Kind of. She is very accommodating. Kind of. She is a good teacher when it comes to everything. Kind of." Each time he said "kind of," Ezrah's expression briefly changed into one of cringe and disgust.
I can't tell if he is intentionally making me nervous by saying 'Kind of' 3 times in a row while making that face...
Segato had yet to realize that nothing could prepare him for his encounter with Layla the Terrible--
"Hubris, shut up for a moment, or I'll ignore you for the rest of the day. You're not helping." Ezrah stared blankly at the sight of the magenta-haired man seemingly arguing with himself.
... Should I say something? No. Whatever he has going on with him, it isn't the weirdest thing I've encountered here.
I finally arrived with Ezrah at what appears to be a giant pyramid. Supposedly this Layla lady is in there. I'm not sure what to expect-- no thanks to Hubris. The only thing I'm certain of is that this experience is about to change my life.