Chapter 86

The Dirty Way to Seduce a Goddess’s Ex-Hero The snow melted to make way for spring, which was graduation season at Demon King’s Academy. “You’ve all worked very hard for the past two months,” Shinichi commended the fifteen students lined up in the gym. Though it was only a short time, the human children had learned to use simple spells, and the demon children advanced to multiplication tables. Their faces brimmed with confidence. “I hope you can apply what you learned here and continue to devote yourself to the pursuit of knowledge.” As Shinichi bid his farewells, the girls listening all started to cry. “I’m going to keep practicing the magic you taught me, Rino, even once I get back home.” “And I’ll study hard until I can do division.” “Ooh, I wanted to study more with you guys…” They were supporting each other, having overcome the barriers of species and status. Their sorrowful good-byes were proof that Demon King’s Academy had been a success. Shinichi was overjoyed, but he assumed a sheepish look. “This is the end of the semester. The academy itself isn’t closing.” “Really?!” cried Rino, wiping the tears from her eyes. Shinichi nodded in response. “I’m not anywhere near finished teaching. It’ll come down to the kings, but I plan to double the number of students and open for the fall semester.” “Yaaay! I’m so happy!” Rino and the others took one another’s hands in glee. Norman, a newfound furry and the third son of Baron Siamese, looked happily at Tama’s cat ears and tail. “We’ll be able to see each other again…” “Were you that sad at the idea of being away from me, meow?” “N-no! I just wanted to study magic and get stronger—” “Stronger than me so that I’ll marry you, meow? Oh man, it’s so hard being this popular with the boys, meow.” “I didn’t say that!” Shinichi looked warmly at the boy who was completely wrapped around the catgirl’s little finger, then noticed three beautiful long-eared girls looking their way from the entrance. “More…little…boys… Maybe it would be faster to raise our ideal man than it would be to try to find an ideal prince?” “Brilliant idea, Clarissa!” “You’re a genius!” “…Are they all pedophiles?” Shinichi was just going to pretend he didn’t hear the elves scheming about their own Hikaru Genji Plan. He beckoned to the Demon King hanging back at the side. “We’ll close with some final words from our principal.” “Mm.” One step of the blue giant was enough to almost topple the kids, but they ground down, trying to resist it. He nodded in satisfaction. “Whether they be human or demon, I respect the strong, which comes from more than magic or muscles.” He looked at his own advisor as he spoke. Without his skillful strategies, the Demon King wouldn’t have won against the Goddess Elazonia. “Nothing would give me more joy than for you to train your bodies, focus your minds, and become strong enough to defeat me!” the principal encouraged them. “““Yes sir!””” the students said. The Demon King nodded in satisfaction again and smiled. “However, I will not allow any insolent person to look at my beloved daughter with impure intentions!” The normal idiot father came bursting out. “That wraps up his speech.” Shinichi was used to these sudden outbursts, so he just let it slide, bringing this ceremony to an end. After that, the children split into groups, lugging bags containing their books and personal effects. Those from Boar Kingdom went with Arian and Celes, those from Tigris gathered around Sanctina, and the demons went with Rino. All teleported back to their respective hometowns. “Phew. We made it.” Shinichi sighed and looked around the gym, which felt really empty now that the students had all gone home. The King of Tigris would soon start selling rifles, and the southern countries that bought them would inevitably start a war. Vermeita was in charge of handling that, leaving Shinichi with an empty schedule for the time being. He looked around him and spoke in a low voice. “Your Majesty, I would like to speak with you about an important matter.” “Speak.” The Demon King lent him his ear, expression drawn. Arian, Rino, and Celes returned to the Demon King’s castle after taking the children home and gathered under the warm spring sun on a terrace to have a cup of tea. “There’s no more snow. It’s almost time to plant potatoes,” noted Arian. “I want to help, too!” Rino cried. “Would it not be faster to use Telekinesis? You would avoid getting your hands dirty,” said Celes. They were enjoying a trivial conversation and some candy from Boar Kingdom. “It’s taking a while for Sanctina to get back,” Arian observed. “Apparently, she had business in Tigris. I believe it had something to do with ‘Goddess Rino’s upcoming live performances.’” “Whaaat?! I haven’t heard anything about that!” “Ah-ha-ha… Well, I think people might be looking forward to celebrating the snow melting. Would you be willing to sing for them?” Arian asked. “Of course. I love singing. I just wanted to have the picnic that Shinichi was talking about…” Rino looked around for Shinichi to ask him if the schedule would allow time for one, but she didn’t see him. Celes took the hint and sent a Telepathy into the castle. “…Yes, understood.” “What did he say?” “Apparently, he’s in the middle of an important discussion with His Majesty. He’ll answer as soon as they’re finished.” “Oh.” Arian was surprised, since it was rare for Shinichi to speak with the Demon King without them, but she sipped her tea. “……” The conversation grew hushed. Silence settled over them. For the approximately six months since they’d defeated the Goddess Elazonia, their days had been very calm, other than a few trips out to defeat monsters. They were sure to see problems in the days to come, but it was hard to imagine their everyday lives taking a hit. A smile spread across Arian’s face. Celes grinned in the same way, then her expression became rigid like she regretted showing Arian her smile. “Lady Arian, do you agree it is about time?” “Huh?” Arian guessed what Celes was getting at from her stern eyes. “Nothing happened. This time.” “Yes, not now.” The two of them hadn’t pressed Shinichi for an answer back when Bishop Hube had led the ten thousand heroes in an attack against them. They hadn’t been in a place to have infighting, and Shinichi seemed to dislike the idea of intimacy outside a serious relationship. In truth, he had run around the continent, defeated the Goddess Elazonia, and built a world for humans and demons…for them. It was finally time to settle things. “You’re right. We have to resolve this before we start growing resentful,” said Arian. “I’ll have no ill will toward either of you, regardless of if I win or lose,” Celes assured her. “What are you two talking about?” Rino was the only one confused as the two nodded to each other, steeling themselves for what was to come. Celes fixed her precious mistress’s collar. “Lady Rino, do you love Sir Shinichi?” “So much!” “Do you wish to marry him?” “Of course!” declared Rino happily. Celes smiled. “Me too. I have romantic feelings for him.” She bared her true feelings, hiding nothing. “Huh…?” “But it’s not just us.” Celes turned her gaze from Rino and looked at her other competitor. Arian didn’t turn away. “I also love Shinichi. I want to marry him and build a happy family.” If there was anything Arian could do to repay her mother for raising her while struggling over her own identity, it was to live a happy life. Even it meant making enemies of her friends, she was going to go after it. “Rino, I’m sorry I hid this from you until now. But I’m not going to hand Shinichi over to anyone.” “……” Rino was silent, looking down at her lap when Arian declared war. “I knew it,” she managed to whisper. “I knew you both had feelings for Shinichi.” It was obvious Arian liked Shinichi, just seeing how she acted around him. And anyone could see Celes’s constant teasing was basically her way of flirting. “I mean, even Elma liked to gossip with the other girls about which teachers were dating,” Rino continued. “I didn’t know that…” Arian’s cheeks turned red. It must have been super obvious to the students. Rino had realized their feelings, though, long before the rumors, but she’d been afraid to face it. She’d subconsciously ignored the issue at hand. “I can’t keep running from my problems.” Rino raised her head, looking squarely into their faces. They needed to settle this because she loved them both dearly and wanted them to be by her side forever. “Arian, Celes.” With a dignity befitting the daughter of the Demon King, Rino declared, “We will decide who will marry Shinichi first with a game of rock-paper-scissors!” Rino thrust out her hand, ready to go. “…Hmm?” Arian wasn’t sure if there had been a misunderstanding at some point. “Um, Rino? Were you listening?” “Yes. You and Celes both love Shinichi.” “Yes, but…” “So we’ll decide what order we’ll have our weddings.” “Why would you instantly go there?!” shouted Arian. Rino seemed to assume Shinichi would be marrying all of them. Rino looked at her helplessly. “Huh? Aren’t we all going to marry Shinichi?” “Not gonna happen! I’m not going to be married into a harem!” Arian crossed her arms in a giant X. Celes had a question of her own. “Why are you so against the idea?”