King Randolf mentioned she’d made the castle’s wine cellar her personal chambers, but I wasn’t sure of that claim’s veracity. I never had any pressing business with Serafin, so I didn’t bother to seek her out.
Serafin probably heard I was doing well from the others, much like how I heard news about her.
“Dey, did you find out what the collar really is?”
“Yes. About that…”
Just as she was about to explain, Roje snatched the collar. “You needn’t repair the thing. Lord Rileyla is now her complete self… Why are you attempting to repair something that will hold back her powers, Candice?”
“Well…she said she wants it. I guess she likes it. Right, Lord Rileyla?”
“Uh, indeed…,” Rila, who’d made her way to the living room doorway at some point, answered evasively.
Dey smiled so wide that the corners of her grin all but touched her eyes.
“Regardless of her personal desire…I must put Lord Rileyla’s safety first. I implore you, Lord Rileyla, reconsider…”
“Always the serious one, aren’t you, Commander Roje.”
“Watch your mouth.”
“If you’re so concerned about her safety, then you know the safest spot in the world for her is at Master Roland’s side. Also…” Dey shot Rila a look. “Lord Rileyla wants to stay with Master Roland. We can’t trample on her delicate feelings, now, can we?”
Dey’s singsong tone made Rila blush bright red. “Guh!”
“Y-you scoundrel! You’ve made Lord Rileyla embarrassed again!”
“It’s all true, though.”
“Rila, is it?” I asked.
“Do not ask that directly of the person involved, you oaf!” Roje yelled at me.
Rila turned away from us. “This is a misunderstanding… Turning into a feline was most convenient once I became accustomed to it…”
“Oh dear, oh dear, oh my, oh my. Lord Rileyla, you simply can’t be honest with yourself. How precious.”
“Urk… My master’s charms know no bounds…!” Roje said.
“Is there a way to create new magic that can fix the collar in the same way you devised a spell to seal Amy’s skill?” I asked Rila.
“Mm-hmm. That is the crux of the issue. It seems the formula within the collar does not originate from the demonic arts.”
“You’re saying it’s of human make?”
Rila shook her head. “Nay. Were it human, I would comprehend the structure. That’s why I had Dey look into it.”
“And it sounds like you recognized it,” I said to Dey.
“I couldn’t tell you for certain at the guild, but after some more research, I’m confident. It resembles a formula from an old charm that vampires use.”
“Lord Rileyla is much more familiar with elven arts than the treacherous ways of the vampi—”
“Hush now, Roje. I am already aware that you oppose repairing the collar.”
“Ugh…” Roje ducked her head at her master’s cold look.
“Admittedly, I’m not too familiar with the charm,” Dey confessed.
“Vampires are essentially demidemons, right?”
“Correct.”
Just as elves, dwarves, and beastpeople were considered demihumans, demons also had offshoot derivations. Among them were the dark elves—Roje had disguised herself as one previously—vampires, fay, avians, undead, and so on.
“Do you think a vampire could fix this, then, Dey?”
“Hmm… I think I’ll need to look into it to say for sure. The collar itself is very old…”
Vampires were distinct from full demons like Rila.
“I believe it is unwise for me to join Dey,” Rila said.
Dey nodded. “You’re probably right.”
“Why’s that?” I asked.
“Although vampires are demidemons, I am the former demon lord. They’re liable to be on guard with the master of all demons about.”
I glanced at Roje. It was possible demons and vampires maintained a relationship similar to that of elves and humans—not all interactions between them were said to be amicable.
“Because vampires live so long, they still have reservations about demons,” Dey explained.
“Dey’s sadism stems from her nature as a vampire. The collar was likely made to that end,” Rila suggested.
“I agree,” Dey said. “That fits in with the history between pure demons and vampires.”
There was clearly more to this, but I didn’t have much insight into it as a human.
“A function that diffuses mana means the collar was probably crafted with demons in mind rather than humans.”
Realizing a certain person was keeping unusually silent, I looked down and saw Roje in the fetal position. She was mumbling incoherently about something.
“I was only thinking of what’s best for Lord Rileyla…”
“So what do you think? If we don’t take action, the devout demon lord worshippers will come to reclaim their ruler, just as Commander Roje did…”
We needed that collar for Rila to continue living as she was.
“Can you manage this alone, Dey?”
“Typically, I’d say yes. But I can’t cast Gate.”
There’d be trouble if Rila went with her. I could go, of course, but…
“Roje, can I count on your assistance? You are the only one capable of this,” Rila said before I had a chance to do anything.
The elf’s long ears twitched.
“I cannot accompany Dey, and Roland has his work at the guild. And even if he did not, he is recently returned from a hard-fought battle. I do not wish to burden him more on my account.”
Roje lifted her head slightly.
“Though I am well aware you do not wish for the collar to be repaired, you are my last hope.”
That clinched it.
“As you wish! I, Roje Sandsong, swear on my life that I shall accompany Candice to find a lead for you!”
“That is the Roje I have come to love!”
“My lord! I shall bring you good tidings!”
Roje stood as though she wanted to start immediately, then charged out of the living room.
“Commander Roje, where in the world are you even going?” Dey called after her.
“To wherever there are vampires to be found! Ha-ha-ha-ha! Candice, come with me!”
“You really ought to be following my lead, you know.”
Dey also stood and went after Roje.
Now that Rila and I were alone, she made her way to my side of the sofa.
“Are you sure about the collar?” I asked.
“Mm-hmm. The title of demon lord came with a burden much too large. I—I am much happier as I am now…” She blushed, rubbing her knees together.
In my opinion, she had a rougher time handling housework…
“If that’s how you feel, then okay.”