Are you referring to a regular female knight, or a trash-tier female knight?
…To put it simply, I had a tear-jerkingly brutal past… But I still can’t forgive Flau for saying, “Isn’t this just divine punishment for being a petty thief?”
I return my consciousness to Julia’s lab.
Of course, I hadn’t told her about that past, so Julia was already standing at a distance, averting her eyes from me.
“Hmm… As expected, I don’t understand much. Well, I suppose I shouldn’t expect to uncover your secrets so easily. After all, you are one of the Demon King’s strongest Four Heavenly Kings.”
As she spoke, Julia turned back toward me.
Stop calling me part of the Demon King’s Four Heavenly Kings. I’ll knock you out.
Besides, it’s not like I have any deep secrets or anything.
I just can’t take off this armor after putting it on. Hurry up and help me get it off.
“There. It’s been properly maintained. I’d be happy if you came back again.”
With that, Julia handed me my sword.
Technically, I should pay her, but she helps me out for free.
Damn, I’m weak when it comes to favors. This is one of the big reasons I risk dangerous paths to come here.
And please, find a way to remove this armor soon. I’m begging you.
[…Thanks for the help.]
I turn my back to her and start walking.
Haa… Coming back here is always scary.
Couldn’t you build your lab somewhere easier to reach? Seriously.
“Help? No need for thanks. I’m also investigating you for my own purposes.”
◆
That woman muttered something incredibly ominous right at the end, didn’t she?
Even so, for now, I have no choice but to rely on her—a scientist who keeps everyone else at arm’s length.
Well, once I get this armor off, she’ll no longer be necessary.
I’ll finally be able to see boobs again. I can endure until then.
“You’re such a pervert. Honestly, it’s disgusting.”
[Coming from a proud female knight who groveled with snot and tears streaming down her face to survive, you’ve got no right to talk…]
“Stop. Just stop…”
Occasionally, the armor takes control of my body.
Damn it… This cursed armor really is terrifying. I need to get it off as soon as possible.
“By the way, it’s about time. Let’s go see that idiot princess.”
Flau suddenly says this.
Ah, right… For some inexplicable reason, Luna, the Demon King’s daughter, summoned me.
Though no specific time was mentioned, night has already fallen, and the moon is high in the sky.
…Do you think I can get away with pretending I forgot?
More importantly…
[Hey, don’t say stuff like that too loudly. You never know who might be listening.]
Don’t casually call her an idiot princess.
She is the Demon King’s daughter, after all.
Granted, the Demon King seems senile and possibly being manipulated by his puppet son.
But even so, Luna is currently one of the faction leaders vying for power.
If the underlings of the opposing faction decide to blame me and target my life, things could get messy.
“…Are you worried about me? That’s creepy… What are you planning?”
Flau glares at me with her gold-and-silver heterochromatic eyes, trembling slightly.
No, I’m worried about myself while being around you.
If I get punished by association, it’ll be a huge pain in the ass.
Though, demotion from the Four Heavenly Kings or getting kicked out of the Demon King’s Army wouldn’t be so bad.
It’s dying that I’m worried about.
[Sigh… Let’s go.]
“It’s probably just going to be casual fun. Let’s keep it light, alright?”
Yeah, I guess you’re right.
With that, I leisurely make my way toward the Demon King’s castle.
◆
[Ah… I want to go home.]
“At this point, only someone like you would still complain about wanting to leave.”
Not as much as you do, though.
I walk through the Demon King’s castle alongside Flau, who tagged along without a care.
Despite my gloomy mood, she looks completely relaxed.
I feel like crushing her cheeks and making her ugly.
To begin with, it’s already suspicious enough that I, someone unaffiliated with any faction, was summoned by Luna.
Dennis must definitely have spies watching me.
Unfortunately, I am one of the Four Heavenly Kings.
Currently, two of the four—Tonio and Otto—are affiliated with opposing factions.
This means scrutiny over the remaining two, Mobius and myself, naturally intensifies.
Since I’m known as the aloof, cold-hearted guy, I don’t get approached much, but Mobius , who’s equally aloof yet good-looking, likely gets more invitations than me.
Apparently, he’s been dodging them skillfully.
And now, it wouldn’t be surprising if Luna’s summoning me is seen as her trying to recruit me.
If either Mobius or I joins a faction, they’ll outnumber their rivals in terms of Heavenly Kings, giving them an advantage.
“Well, that’s unlikely.”
[Yeah. That’s why we came here so casually.]
I nod at Flau’s words.
I didn’t think Luna was trying to recruit me.
When the leader of a faction requests a private meeting, it’s normal to assume they want to bring you in.
But Luna isn’t normal. She’s an idiot.
Airheaded, foolish, dumb, ditzy—all these words apply to her.
Even though her faction has lost significant ground in the power struggle, she still spends her energy laughing and playing around.
Honestly, she’s just a kid unfit for a power struggle, despite having an adult body.
She’s nothing more than a figurehead propped up by the anti-Dennis demons.
In this succession battle, Dennis will undoubtedly emerge victorious.
Most people probably think so too.
[That’s a problem in itself…]
“She’s not going to let us rest anytime soon.”
Flau groans in genuine frustration.
The next Demon King will either be Dennis or Luna—it’s a two-way race.
Of course, that assumes no coup or rebellion happens.
In the current faction war, Dennis holds an overwhelming advantage.
If Dennis becomes the Demon King… will I be allowed to step down from the Four Heavenly Kings?
I’ll probably be worked to death instead.
Ah… I wish things would work out better somehow…
[Is the princess here?]
“Ah, Dark Knight-sama…! I-I’ll call the princess immediately, so please wait a moment!”
In the garden inside the Demon King’s castle, a servant scurried off in a panic after I called out.
…All I did was speak to them…
“You’re scaring them pretty badly.”
Flau laughs amusedly.
What’s so funny about this?
Then again, it’s understandable. Who’d want to approach a grim-faced knight emanating black miasma?
I wouldn’t either.
The only ones who willingly approach me are Flau, who mocks me; the Hero, who wants to kill me; and Julia, who sees me as a research subject.
And…
“Aaaand hheeerrreee’s theee Dark Kniiggghhtt-saamaaa!!”
What the hell kind of principle is this?! The idiot princess charges at me horizontally like a torpedo!?
How does this tackle even damage me while I’m wearing this armor…?
“It hurts, you knowwww!”
Luna clutches her head.
Learn from your mistakes!
“You came! I’m soooo happy!”
She recovers instantly and hugs me again.
Does this girl have steel mental fortitude and resilience, or what?
Happy or not, it doesn’t matter whether I came.
If I hadn’t shown up, it would’ve caused problems anyway!
While you might seem easy to manipulate, I have no idea what your subordinates think.
If they decide, “How dare you reject Princess Luna’s invitation! We’ll kill you!” then things will get seriously troublesome.
I may want to lose, but I don’t want to die.
“Oh? Is there another guest here?”
Luna notices Flau.
Well, technically, only I was invited.
Naturally, outsiders would draw attention.
Still, since we’re just here to hang out briefly, her presence shouldn’t cause any inconvenience.
“I am Flau, acting as the Dark Knight’s vice-commander. Everything I do reflects the Dark Knight’s will.”
“Vice-commander…? Then it’s fine!”
After a brief pause to consider, Luna nods.
See? If you want, let Flau entertain her while I take a breather.
…Flau. Why are you conveniently pushing everything onto me?
“Actually, I invited the Dark Knight here because I have a request.”
Yeah, yeah, we’re just here to play, right?
Let’s hurry up and finish so I can go home.
Seeing me like this, Luna smiles brightly.
“Make me the Demon King, please!”
…Huh?