Chapter 50
At some point, Levia had approached and stood before Theticia, pushing past Miss Hipora and Lady Minolta. At the sudden appearance of an Archduke, Miss Hipora and Lady Minolta were at a loss and stepped back. Theticia quickly left the two demons with a response.
“I will ask Lord Asmod and let you know!”
“Y-yes, yes! Please do, please do!”
The two demons who hurried their steps seemed quite fearful of Levia. Theticia’s gaze followed the two demons who disappeared into the crowd, then was blocked by Levia.
“H-have you been well?”
Levia, grinning broadly, wore a green velvet coat unlike his previous robe attire. His long black hair, which had hung loose beneath the robe, was neatly tied up, revealing his distinct features even more clearly.
“Yes, I have been well.”
“I, I sent Asmod a bestiary. D-did he receive it?”
“Did you? I do not believe he did…….”
Since the matter of another demon’s scent had come up, Asmod had not mentioned Levia even once.
“H-he must have b-burned it. I th-thought that might happen, so I b-brought another c-copy.”
Though she was startled by the prediction that he would have burned the gift, Levia seemed accustomed to being treated coldly. As Levia drew a circle in the air, a green hardbound volume popped out of the black space.
“D-do not let Asmod n-notice.”
Looking at the offered hardcover, Theticia swallowed. If nothing had happened, she would have accepted it readily, but recalling the burned monster samples, her hand would not move.
‘I promised Lord Asmod I would not let the scent of other demons get on me…….’
As Theticia hesitated, a large hand suddenly appeared before her and snatched the book away. At the same time, a hand gripping her shoulder made Theticia sway momentarily.
“Lord Asmod!”
“A, Asmod.”
Levia, who had flinched, smiled when he saw Asmod approach. Asmod looked at the book with sharp eyes, turning it this way and that, and even floating it in the air to flip rapidly through the pages.
Theticia stole glances at the turning pages with a gaze thick with regret. Within the endlessly flipping book were detailed illustrations of all kinds of monsters.
‘They said it was the latest edition, and it even has illustrations……!’
Theticia’s eyes widened at the unfamiliar appearance of the monsters. As Asmod closed the book ostentatiously, the book floating in the air was immediately engulfed in flames.
“Ah……!”
Theticia reached toward the book regretfully, then held her own hand back.
Asmod slowly closed and opened his eyes before speaking to Levia.
“I heard you met Theticia last time and served her tea?”
“I, I startled her. As, as an apology.”
“I do not know if you are aware, but Theticia is human. Have I not told you every time that your mana contains toxicity? The pouch you gave Theticia was covered in poison as well.”
Poison. It had not been her imagination that her hand had tingled when she touched the samples.
“U-uh-huh. I made a mistake.”
“If Theticia had not told me right away, she would not have lasted three days before dying.”
“So, sorry. Theticia. I c-cannot contain my mana well.”
At the apology directed at her, Theticia shook her head with a stiff smile. For a conversation passing so calmly, the content was far too brutal.
If she had received that book……
She imagined herself dying while licking her finger to turn the poisoned pages.
At the belated realization, Theticia pressed her chest firmly.
A fresh awareness bloomed that Asmod was protecting her.
“I will order the book separately. I know you have inventory piled up, but forcing books on people like that is not good either. That is all a waste of mana, is it not.”
Even with this flowing stream of criticism, Levia did not seem offended but rather willing.
“If, if you do that, I would be grateful. Ah! I, I brought some liquor and left, left it with the maids earlier.”
“Thank you.”
Having received thanks, Levia’s complexion deepened slightly. He looked down at Theticia with his lanky height.
“L-later, come by my greenhouse. I have sweet sagewort, thickhead, and beggar’s ticks too.”
At the names of Demon Realm plants that stimulated curiosity just by hearing them, Theticia rolled her eyes smoothly. Then the hand resting on her shoulder pressed down firmly.
“We will visit together later.”
As soon as Asmod finished speaking, emphasizing the word together in particular, trumpet sounds were heard from afar.
Then all the demons in the ballroom stopped what they were doing and watched the doors. The ensemble also ceased their performance presently.
In the gap when everyone’s attention was diverted by the grand trumpet sounds, Levia made a snake-like hissing sound. Green smoke slipping from his fingertips coiled around Theticia’s ankle.
When the ballroom doors opened, mouse-headed demons dressed uniformly like an army stood in formation. Between them, a boy adorned with brilliant insignia and medals revealed himself.
“Asmod!”
The Demon King Lucifer waved his hand cheerfully and entered the ballroom.
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