"I'll cook today, Aura-sama!"
Linie declares confidently, eyes shining, apron over her corset dress, knife in hand. She looks like a human maid—fitting, in a way. I just stare. Her antics aren't new. I'd fail as her master if this fazed me.
"What's gotten into you?"
"I've been having Linie cook lately. She wants to show off."
"Himmel, you're in the way."
"Rebellious phase?"
"Always like this."
Himmel, reading the situation better, explains. Linie's been cooking on their travels, mimicking Eisen. So impressionable. Himmel's still dismissed—dandy or not, he's got bigger issues. Too late for that.
"Fine, do it. Be careful with fire. A fire'd make that candy monk cry."
"Got it, Aura-sama!"
I give the order. No issue, except fire. A blaze would ruin Heiter's retirement plans—he'd cry or laugh it off. I'd be stuck in the Holy Capital longer, blamed. As I muse, I notice Himmel's creepy stare.
"…What?"
"Just… it wasn't an order."
His words make me realize—my phrasing slipped. Habit's scary. Like Linie, I'm influenced too. After mocking Himmel, no less. Reacting would invite more teasing, so I ignore him. A racket like a monster hunt erupts from the kitchen.
"…Is she okay?"
"Who knows? She's eager to impress you."
Is he serious? Himmel watches calmly. Linie's mimicry magic copies our cooking, but execution's different. The gap between real and fake—her magical quest.
"How's Linie doing? Fighting monsters?"
"Of course. Training's going well. In ten years, she might surpass me."
Proud like it's his own growth—disciple-obsessed. Ten years is a jest, but she's improving. I leave her training to Himmel. As a demon and mage, she's more warrior, swordsman. Mimicry aims to match the original. Training under Himmel, her goal, is a stroke of luck she doesn't see.
(A fake becoming real… does he still believe that?)
I glance at Himmel's profile, recalling his old nonsense. He's pushing it on Linie too. Impossible. He's happy to be surpassed. Demons don't get it. Serie said something similar—wanting someone to exceed them. Why desire a threat? Humans are foolish.
"Something up? Finally see my mustache's charm?"
"Keep jokes to your existence. Just imagining your ego crushed."
"S-Spare me…"
I silence his jest, noticing my stare. He forgot Linie might actually do it. No dandy then.
Unrelated, but Himmel's changed lately. More pensive, staring oddly at me. I've asked, but he dodges. Usually, he's annoyingly clingy. Unsettling, like something's stuck in my throat.
"You've changed, Aura."
He says it like he sees through me.
"Huh? Shouldn't you say I haven't?"
"Not looks—your heart. So different from when we met."
I'm stunned as he nods to himself. I haven't changed—they have. Their looks, everything, shift so fast in this short time, I can't keep up.
"Good for you. Demons don't have hearts."
"Not true. Demons have hearts—mental magic works on you."
"Infuriating… I misspoke. Not hearts like you humans."
He anticipated my retort, proving demons have hearts with magic. Infuriating. He's becoming like that reeking monk—a nightmare.
Pleased with my reaction, he stares silently. This is it. What's he fixated on now?
"Are you having fun, Aura?"
A pointless, stupid question.
"Fun? I'm under obedience—there's no fun."
I scowl. What's he thinking? Who enjoys subjugation? I recall his confession—this life was fun for him. Checking if I feel the same? Fool. I dismiss him, but—
"But when Himmel returns, you get happier, Aura-sama."
"Quiet, Linie."
"Mmph…"
Linie interrupts, not cooking. Always meddling, taking after her master. Honest, maybe, but my fault too. I silence her.
"Right… If I freed you from obedience, what would you do?"
Watching us, troubled, he asks the unthinkable—a taboo topic. Pointless to dwell on; it could ruin us.
"What's with you? Mocking me?"
"No, serious."
He's not clueless. His earnest air confirms it's no jest.
Silence falls, our gazes locked. Thoughts swirl and fade. My conclusion—
"Obviously, I'd do what I couldn't. Start by subjugating the king's kids, then dominate them. Next, the northern countries—Granat's got debts. Maybe head to the Demon King's castle."
No deception. My survival tactic in this obedient life. No point lying to him—he knows what I'd do.
"Right… very demon-like."
As a hero, a human, he understands I'm a demon. Yet he genuinely wants to be friends—a fool.
He smiles, neither affirming nor denying, just accepting.
I go quiet. My words were my true, demonic intent. Nothing shameful. Logical. Yet—
"…Just a lie. Don't take it seriously."
"Huh?"
I lied.
"Heiter asked too. The Holy Capital's enough hassle. No interest in more. Surrounded by puppets I control? No thanks. Not a solo game. Lily and Stroh wouldn't join."
I keep lying—or is it? Another truth, born from a decade of experience. I don't know if I'm lying or not, deceiving or honest.
I'm clutching the silver freesia, in front of him. Can't hide it.
"Right. You're not the age for solo games."
"What do you take me for?"
"My friend. A demon one."
"Idiot."
"Exactly."
He knows but plays dumb, spouting that cursed word—friend.
"If I did that, that elf would kill me. Better for you, maybe."
I blurt it, dodging with her name. I've avoided mentioning her lately.
"Maybe. Then I could introduce you to Frieren."
"No way. I'd flee first."
"Then I'll make sure that doesn't happen."
He closes his eyes, joking again. Still thinking that? I'm done with pointless entanglements.
"You plan to keep me obedient till you die, right? Why worry? It's far off. Or are you bored?"
"No way. Maybe you want to escape."
End this farce. He's just forty—half a human life left. Why the rush? Infuriating, but I can't escape, unlike that migratory bird. I'm caged.
I recall our contract—no, promise. I'd stay till he's bored. Is he? He retorts sarcastically. Predictable.
"You really never change."
"Right. I'll keep meeting expectations."
He smiles wearily. Unchanging, like me, forever.
Linie brings food from the kitchen. Time passed unnoticed. But something's off—
"Linie…?"
"…"
She's silent, diligently setting dishes. An odd sight. Himmel glances at me. Then I remember—
"You can talk now, Linie."
"Really!?"
She was obeying my earlier order. So demonic. I nearly forgot—laughable. She's thrilled to be freed. I messed up raising her. Too late now.
"Himmel, taste-test."
"It's not poison-testing, Linie."
"Same thing."
Himmel chews the burnt Luf omelet, realizing poison-test fits. That night, we three eat apples from the village.
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