"I've returned to the house of the hero!! I've returned to the house of the hero!! I'm back!! Noooo!! I'm so calm!!"
After yelling that first line, I ran to my room and onto the futon, of course after changing into light clothing.
"The feeling of freedom is amazing!!"
She flapped her arms and legs on the futon, enjoying her freedom. Until now, she had been living a cramped life as a servant. In the second half, she got used to it and enjoyed conversation, but it still felt different to be free from the servant life.
It felt like I could converse with the hero more easily than before, and I had no trouble finding out what he was doing along the way.
It seems they have raised the money, so I will be able to travel soon. I am satisfied with my work as a vassal. Things are going smoothly.
"Things are going well. I'm sorry for the manager, but I probably won't be working at that store again."
I feel a little lonely, but it can't be helped, since I'm an adventurer. The hero was busy packing his things. I'll let it go for now.
I'll take a nap instead. I'm tired because I came all the way here from Maximilian's estate, almost like I'm running away. A fluffy bed is different from sleeping outdoors. "I'm never going to be a servant again!" I decided to myself.
"Hehe, good night."
Close your eyes and take a nap.
*
A few hours later, I stood up and stretched. It was already evening.
"Okay, okay. I'm feeling less tired, so let's go to that restaurant and have something to eat."
I opened the door and quickly walked down the stairs. The hero turned to me with a shocked look on his face.
"Let's go eat! I'm free!"
"What happened at Maximillian?"
"A lot has happened. It's all your fault. Today, I'm going to let you listen to all my complaints!"
"Y-yes... I heard that you'd changed. But it seems like you've changed a bit too much."
"Don't worry about it!!"
*
I showed up at the store for the first time in a while. I said hello to the manager and told him that I was sorry but I couldn't work there anymore. The manager said "That's a pity, I'll ask you again." He understood that I was an adventurer so he didn't try to stop me.
The shop is a bar at night, so it is lively. Some people are singing and dancing, but I guess they are called dancers. Beautiful women are entertaining the men. The Neapolitan for dinner was delicious. It tasted like freedom.
"Ah, I'm liberated."
I suddenly remembered that I had been spanked continuously for several days.
"It must have been hard. You got hit a lot."
The hero is smiling. I know this guy.
"Yes, it was hard. It was suffocating to keep acting. You told me to act in front of you too, but I've completely lost interest. This is who I am. I'll act every now and then. Just on a whim."
"Thank you. But, that's what happens when you're acting. It's suffocating... Don't you want to live freely?"
"Of course!!"
"Haha, what a nice smile."
He pours me wine. I feel like he cares for me and it makes me feel good. He's really kind.
That's why, although I feel guilty for not noticing her kindness until now, I'm going to use her. I'll use her just as the fortune teller says.
"Well, you can drink it today. You couldn't drink it when you were a servant, right?"
"That's right, when I was a servant..."
And for some reason, I felt like I could tell him anything. It happened when I was a servant. He would listen to all my complaints about Elmia.
And one hour later, the hero stood up.
"Not yet!! It's not over!!"
"Well, wait. I'm at the bathroom."
"Come back soon."
"Yes, yes."
"More please, manager!"
"Please!! ...But it looks brighter now."
"Really? But more importantly!! Ugh!! Sake tastes so good. I wonder why?"
I feel light-hearted. I wonder if it's because I've been feeling free for a long time.
Ton Ton
"Are you alone?"
Hearing the sound of someone banging on the desk next to him, he turns towards it. In front of him is a young man in luxurious clothes, staring at him. "Who is this?" he wonders.
"May I ask who's calling?"
I'll switch roles. I'll play the role of a woman named Nefia. Recently, I've learned that I can act as a seducer who can bewitch men.
Although she doesn't like being called a succubus, she thinks of it as a tool that she can use. She endures by imagining that it's a succubus named Nefia who isn't herself.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Prince Rusty."
"A prince?"
"Yes, I am the prince of this country."
"I see. So what do you want?"
In his mind he thought, "Even if he acts all high and mighty just because he's the prince... I'm a former demon king after all," and though he didn't show it on his face, he gave off a nasty aura.
"I met you when you were working here and I was curious about you. If it's alright with you..."
Thump
There was a loud noise on the other side. The hero had returned, glaring at the prince.
"I'm home..."
"Welcome back. Erm... sorry, what is it?"
"...Are you dating? With him?"
"No, we are fellow adventurers."
"In that case...would you like to go out with me? I won't do anything bad to you."
I sigh. Lately, I've been surprisingly popular. I'm sure I look like a beautiful girl in the mirror, but I have no interest in dating guys. Pure heterosexual relations are forbidden. I'm sure it's because I'm a pervert.
"Sorry. I'm an adventurer and I don't have any intention of settling down yet. I'm going to travel."
A standard line used by adventurers to reject someone. Very convenient.
"There! Money and fame."
The fame and money of a nobleman is nothing compared to being a king. I have no interest in it. What I need now is strength. He seemed persistent, so I asked the hero to pay the bill.
"Sorry. Let's go home."
"Y-yes, my prince. I'm sorry."
"Kuuu... I won't give up!!"
What a pointless thing to do. What a fool to confess without even knowing the person before returning to Demon Country. We paid the bill and left the store.
"I'm sober now."
"Shall we stop somewhere and buy some to take home?"
"That's thoughtful. Oh, go buy it."
"Okay. Can I have some wine?"
"Um, thank you."
"Ugh!? Ah, ahh."
I don't care if the hero faces the wrong direction. But more importantly, how convenient. He'll buy it for me if I ask him. Really... I've come to think that he's a kind guy.
*
The next day. Oh no.
"Woohoo, ugh."
I headed to the bathroom. I vomited up what was left in my stomach from yesterday. The sour taste of the stomach juice made me feel sick. My head was pounding too. I went back to the living room and the hero gave me a glass of water and some powdered medicine.
"I drank a lot yesterday..."
"I-I got too carried away. It's disgusting..."
"Take it easy for a day. The leader of the Black Knights called for me, so I'm off. Umm, I'll be back around noon."
"Oh, yeah."
Flash
Grab!!
"It's not okay."
"I just felt a bit dizzy. If you don't come down, my futon will be in big trouble..."
I came down because I didn't want to puke in my bed. Anyway, I felt sick.
"Here we go!!"
Jump!!
"O-oi...upp."
"Shut up and rest."
The hero picked me up and carried me to the bedroom. After placing me on the bed, he left.
"...He really is a kind guy."
I unexpectedly found him to be really kind.
"He was a good guy."
It may be a little late now, but I had time to calm down and think things through, and now I have more time. Maybe that servant's experience in January gave me more confidence.
"Should I give him a reward? Well, I'll think about it later."
Close your eyes and rest. You'll be better by noon. I'm sure.
*
I was surprised at how much she had changed since we last met. I found myself getting excited at how Nefia had changed, showing a smile I'd never seen before and how cute she was, even though she spoke in a manly tone. Then I took a breath and the Captain of the Black Knights was there. I opened the door to the room.
"Hello, Captain of the Black Knights. Maximillian's request is complete."
"Hmm. Was it strict?"
"Oh, I'm glad I didn't have to move the Knights. I've earned my debt of gratitude."
"Well, well. I can't say it was a good thing we didn't move it."
"So, what is your business?"
"Do you remember the princess?"
"I don't remember."
"You really are something the princess has noticed. She seems to have smelled your return."
"I see. Well, I'm not really interested in him though."
"That is. I have said it many times myself... but it seems the princess is obsessed with you."
"What attracts her?"
"...I don't know. The Princess has also honed her skills as a knight. I think you'd be the best choice."
"It's not the strength for him..."
That person is far different from the one I should be protecting. Even if she is a beautiful girl, she is not wonderful. She would never be able to smile that beautifully. She is far different from the girl reflected behind my eyelids. And her heart is black. She is too influenced by the government.
"You really have no intention of becoming the princess's husband, huh?"
"do not have"
"I'll tell the princess to reconsider."
"That's all."
"Yes, you asked me to persuade you. Unfortunately, I can't do it."
"I appreciate your decision, Captain of the Knights. Now I'll take my leave."
"..."
Gacha
I left the room. It's about time... I don't think it's a good idea to stay here. I don't really want to have anything to do with the princess.
*
Late afternoon. The hero returned. He shared his stew with me. He also softened bread and prepared it for me for lunch.
"...…thank you"
"Okay, is your head okay?"
"It's okay now."
"Next time, be more discreet."
"Understood...…"
"You've become more honest."
"Fighting is a waste of time"
Bang bang!!
Knock!! Knock!! Knock!!
A loud banging can be heard from the front door.
"Uuuuh... it's ringing in my head."
"Nefia, wait up. Okay, okay, who is it?"
The hero opens the door. There stands a woman wearing an overly decorated knight's armor, like a pink dress. It's the first time he's seen her. His face is not visible.
"It's been a while! Lord Tokiya!"
The person suddenly tries to hug the hero, but the hero avoids him.
"Whoa?! Princess!!"
Tokiya makes a move to grab the sword for a moment, but then gives up. He must not have misheard when he said princess.
"Why are you avoiding me...huh?"
Our eyes meet, and for a moment his face contorts as he glares at me before smiling broadly and speaking to me.
"Pleased to meet you, I am First Princess Neris Imperium. Who may you be?"
He stood up, bowed deeply, and introduced himself.
"Yes, I am Nefia, an adventurer. I am traveling with Lord Tokiya."
"Hmm."
The princess grabbed the hero's arm and pressed it against her own chest. There didn't appear to be a breastplate, and something soft was pressed against his arm.
For some reason, I felt a little, just a little, annoyed.
"Um, Tokiya-dono? What about drugs and the princess?"
"Ah!? ... That's right, we're just rivals. We competed against each other in sword fighting!!"
"Lord Tokiya, you shouldn't lie. You're my fiance, aren't you?"
"I will deny it with all my might. Who will join you?"
The hero spoke with a straight face. For some reason, my heart felt refreshed.
"Oh? Tokiya-sama, is it really alright to disrespect the princess?"
"... Haa, you can ignore me. There are probably more wonderful people out there."
"Is that so... It's a pity, it will never be mine. That's why I want it so much."
It brings to mind the image of a poisonous snake biting you. This is poison.
"Well, I'm back. I'm going to start planning my trip with her."
"Okay. Hehe, you said Nefia, right?"
"yes"
"I'll remember that."
I will definitely forget about it. The princess glared at me, turned her back and left.
"Nah, Nefia... don't get involved with her. She's a pain."
"I don't care about that bitch. If you're a princess, act like a princess and be a lady."
"..."
"What is it, hero?"
"I'm surprised to hear those words come out of your mouth."
"Okay, let me hit you once."
It annoyed me just a little. Just a little.