Chapter 3
It was originally my intention to stay for only a day or two. However, as one day turned into two, and two into three, I found myself lingering at Belgar Castle for nearly ten days.
The extended stay was due to my considerable fondness for the place. With new events unfolding daily, there was never a moment for boredom or idleness. Since inheriting the name Bellarossa, this was the first time I had spent my days so actively and enjoyably, without a single dull moment.
Jeha ascended the towering castle spire and gazed out at the landscape through a small window.
Beyond the narrow pane, the bustling cityscape unfolded before his eyes. Across the city, where the early twilight settled softly, wisps of smoke rose from homes preparing dinner. The sight of candlelight flickering on in windows, one by one, was truly a spectacle.
Upon his initial arrival, all that had been visible were the high, majestic mountain ranges, and against their backdrop, the blunt, gray mass of the castle. Consequently, Jeha had vaguely harbored the prejudice that the territory itself would be somewhat desolate and quiet.
However, yielding to Lord Campbell’s persistent encouragement, Jeha had toured the dominion under the escort of knights, discovering it to be entirely different from his initial impression. The city, which had formed not far from the castle, was exceedingly prosperous and well-developed. Its streets teemed with people, overflowing with vibrant life.
As Jeha’s carriage, escorted by the Belgar Knights, passed by, the people, as if already informed, waved and cheered, welcoming their lord’s return.
Curious about the lives of the common folk in this world, Jeha meticulously observed the condition of the people visible through the carriage window. While their attire was not as extravagant as that of royalty or nobility, they were sufficiently clad to protect themselves from the cold, and their cheering faces brimmed with vitality. This sight brought Jeha a measure of relief. Had their clothing been too shabby, or had signs of hunger been apparent, his heart would not have rested easy.
Even after that day’s circuit through the city directly before the castle, Lord Campbell refused to let Jeha grow bored. He constantly proposed, ‘How about this?’ or ‘How about that?’, dragging Jeha to various corners of the dominion. Thanks to this, Jeha was able to gain a rough understanding of the territory’s appearance and circumstances without needing to review documents or listen to lengthy explanations from others.
Paimon’s brief explanation of the territory had proven useful.
As Paimon had mentioned, there were indeed several mines, including iron and silver. True to his words, at dawn or dusk, long lines of miners, their picks and various tools slung over their shoulders, could be seen commuting by cart. It seemed many of the dominion’s inhabitants worked in the mines.
Beyond that, a diverse array of people could be observed.
There were various shops lining both sides of the bustling streets, and affluent merchants dressed in somewhat luxurious attire. Hunters haggled with vendors over carts laden with hides. Girls sold flowers on the street. Mischievous children ran about in groups. Even a drunkard, already tipsy in broad daylight, stumbled along, humming a tune.
Jeha felt a touch of emotion as he watched the city, now beginning to succumb to darkness instead of twilight, sparkle with the lights emanating from each home. While the dazzling nightscapes illuminated by electricity in his original world had been magnificent, the city lights of this world were no less splendid.
“Is watching humans in their cities so entertaining?”
Zephyr, who had been standing beside him with a bored expression, inquired.
Jeha nodded, propping his chin on the windowsill.
“It’s just… something magnificent and moving. Behind each of those countless lights, families are likely gathered, sharing stories, and all these people coming together to live in one place, forming such a grand city…”
“‘Hmm…'”
Zephyr’s expression clearly showed he didn’t quite understand.
As Jeha gazed down at the city’s nightscape, moved by its beauty, he also felt a pang of loneliness in his heart. The realization that he was not a part of the vibrant night view created by these countless people inexplicably saddened him. It was as if he were an outsider, a solitary figure….
‘Hereis, do you perhaps feel the same way I do?’
Jeha, having inadvertently thought of Hereis, clicked his tongue softly. For the past few days, he had tried desperately to avoid thinking about him, but the more he tried, the more those thoughts surged unbidden.
Forcibly shaking off his sentimental mood, Jeha tore his gaze away from the city lights and began descending the castle spire’s stairs.
****
“You’ve arrived, Master.”
Upon entering the dining hall, the butler and Paimon greeted Jeha. Dinner was already laid out on the table. As Jeha took his seat at the head, Paimon and Zephyr also sat silently on either side.
The meal began in silence. Only the faint clinking of cutlery echoed through the spacious dining hall. Jeha’s sentimental mood from the spire had not yet fully subsided. Naturally, he had no appetite, merely picking at his food without truly eating. As if sensing his disposition, Paimon and Zephyr refrained from unnecessary conversation, instead simply feigning to eat in silence.
After pushing away his nearly untouched meal, Jeha moved to the drawing-room and rinsed his palate with tea poured by the butler. The butler then presented a silver tray to Jeha. On the tray rested a neatly folded piece of paper, sealed in the center with red wax.
“What is this?”
Jeha asked, picking up the paper from the tray.
“It is the letter from the temple you previously mentioned.”
“From the temple?”
Jeha clicked his tongue inwardly as Hereis, whom he had barely managed to relegate to a corner of his mind during the past ten busy days, once again occupied his thoughts. The communication Hereis had promised seemed to have finally arrived today.
Breaking the seal, he unfolded the paper to reveal a calligraphy so graceful and beautiful that even Jeha, unfamiliar with this world’s script, found it exquisite. Fortunately, for Jeha, the Demon King, a language barrier was no obstacle. Merely scanning the lines caused the contents to flow directly into his mind.
The letter had been personally penned by Hereis.
Its content was not lengthy. Composed in a polite tone and adorned with a few flourishes, the letter requested a meeting with the Marquis of Belgar, stating that upon receiving a reply, Hereis would hasten to wherever and whenever summoned. There were no other requests whatsoever. Had he asked for money or anything else, Jeha would have readily granted it, but with only a single request for a meeting, he found it impossible to refuse.
“Is it your contractor?”
Paimon asked. Jeha nodded, handing the letter to Paimon.
Paimon took the letter and quickly skimmed its contents, after which Zephyr swiftly snatched it to verify the message.
“To dare request a direct audience with the Master, yet send only this paltry single letter? Even as the Master’s contractor, their impudence and arrogance are boundless.”
Zephyr stared at the letter with an expression like he had bitten into something foul. Then he asked,
“Will you meet them?”
“‘Yes… well… I did make a promise. As the Marquis of Belgar, I should grant him an audience.'”
Jeha replied, recalling the image of Hereis prostrating himself before him, meticulously licking his feet—a memory he had tried so hard to forget. His foot and ankle, where Hereis had licked, began to tingle once more.
Whether for a Demon King or a demon, a contract was a grave matter to be upheld at the risk of one’s life. A contractual relationship, in particular, was quite private and intimate, meaning neither Paimon nor Zephyr could interfere or dictate terms. Although Zephyr’s expression visibly soured, he, too, offered no further objections.
“Ah, what about the young demon dragon’s whereabouts?”
Jeha inquired about the young demon dragon for the first time in nearly ten days. Paimon replied as if he had been waiting.
“The presumed location has been narrowed down to a single area. However, as it seemed you wished to find it yourself, Master, I instructed the Demon Dragon Protection Association to merely secure the perimeter.”
“What? Then it’s as good as found already. Why didn’t you say anything until now?”
As Jeha raised an eyebrow, Paimon wore an apologetic expression.
“My apologies. As you seemed to be enjoying yourself immensely over the past few days, Master, without a hint of boredom… I refrained from mentioning it until you inquired. The suspected location of the young demon dragon is already under airtight security, so no issues would have arisen in the meantime.”
“‘Well… if Paimon says so, then it must be.'”
As Paimon’s words about his enjoyment over the past few days were undeniably true, Jeha spoke in a rather listless tone. He then turned his gaze to the butler.
“I’ll be departing tomorrow, so please have the butler make the necessary arrangements.”
“Are you leaving the castle?”
The butler, who never usually questioned any command, unexpectedly posed a question. A faint, almost imperceptible hint of disappointment clouded the face of the man who rarely showed any emotion.
“I need to find the young demon dragon, and coincidentally, there’s also someone I must meet.”
Having said that much, Jeha paused for a moment before adding,
“‘I’ll return as soon as my business is concluded, so there’s no need to worry.'”
“…You will return?”
The butler asked, a beat late. As Jeha nodded, the subtle disappointment on the butler’s face vanished entirely.
“As per your command, Master, I shall make thorough preparations for your departure tomorrow.”
The butler, having swiftly returned to his usual composed demeanor, spoke with impeccable precision. Jeha offered him a gentle smile, then turned his head and extended a hand towards Zephyr.
“Give it here.”
As Jeha wiggled his outstretched hand, Zephyr, who had been feigning disinterest, reluctantly returned Hereis’s letter. Jeha quickly scanned the letter once more, then folded it neatly and tucked it into his pocket.