He managed to pry it out. The entire object was maybe the size of his fist. As he stared down at it, Porta raced over, practically beside herself. “M-M-M-Masato! Th-that’s a raw diamondddd!!” ““A d-d-d-d-diamond?!”” Wise and Medhi—and all the other miners—came running over, unable to believe their eyes. A normal enough reaction. This was a diamond. A real diamond! Except… “Huh, it is? First time seeing one,” Masato said, rolling it around his palm like it was nothing. Then he tossed it to Mamako—who had her hand on Terra di Madre’s hilt. “Your doing, I assume?” he asked. “Wh-whatever do you mean?” She quickly hid the Holy Sword of Earth behind her, but too late. She was caught in the act. She’d used the special mom skill A Mother’s Indulgence. Fueled by the desire to reward a child’s hard work, it allowed her to physically manifest those feelings. But she’d gone a bit too far, and Masato wasn’t even mad. He just smiled at her. “Everything I said was true. And that means I can get through this without you adding any rewards. I’m glad you’ve got my back, but this time, I’d prefer you stay out of it. Not because I object to it or anything! I appreciate the gesture.” “I see… Well, okay, then. I shouldn’t have meddled.” Mamako took the raw diamond from him, put it on the ground, and tapped it lightly with the tip of her sword. The priceless treasure sank back into the ground. And a moment later everyone felt like the ground beneath their feet had sunk a bit. “What was that…?” “Don’t worry. It’s nothing. Mommy just asked a bit too much of Mother Earth.” “Yeah? Uh, okay, I guess.” “More importantly, Ma-kun, it’s time to showboat your meaningless male rivalry!” “I’m still against both phrasings, but that is the plan.” Masato went back to hacking the wall with his pickax. Working steadily, oblivious to the stares of the nearby miners. The girls still seemed somewhat disgruntled. And Mamako both respected his position but felt a little sad about it. When their shift ended and they left the mine, it was evening. “Oh dear. We’ll have to rush to the store before dinner!” “Don’t see Dad anywhere… Whatever. He’s not a kid. Let’s head on back.” They said good-bye to the miners and took a transport circle back to Catharn, where things seemed to be finally settling down. Most of the people out walking the streets lived in the city; the bulk of them looked to be housewives out doing their dinnertime shopping. “Okay, Mom, you’ll take care of the shopping. I’ll swing by the guild and turn in the quest. How about you guys?” “I’ll go with Mama! I can help carry things!” “Makes no difference to me… Actually, nah, peak grocery store hours are rough, so maybe I’d better go with Masato…” “I’ll accompany Mamako. I’d like to pick her brain on how we should handle Masato’s odd behavior.” “Oh, I want in on that—guess I’m on team shopping after all.” “I don’t need to be ‘handled.’ But suit yourself. See you later.” They all headed out, chattering, and Masato turned toward the Adventurers Guild alone. When he reached the counter… “Hey, Masato. You’re late!” Hayato was just accepting a giant satchel of coins from the receptionist. Another pile of cash. This was annoying, but first things first. Masato had to let the receptionist know that his quest was finish— “Oh, you’re back. Cool. Here.” Toss. “You’re not even gonna let me get to the counter?! And don’t go around throwing money!” The reward came in a small leather pouch. The coins inside jingled. A fraction of what his father had made. But it was a big upgrade from the weed-pulling job. Masato glanced over at his father with pride. Demon Lord Hayato noted his heroic son’s stubborn streak and returned a satisfied nod. “I like the look in your eye. An all-new you.” “How would you know? You’re always at work.” “I know it seems that way, but Mamako has sent me photos of your sleeping face every night—even back when you were little. I’ve seen more of you than you think.” “Sheesh, Mom…” “That aside, you’re here on your own.” Hayato glanced around, making sure Mamako wasn’t present. “I’ve got a proposition for you,” he said. “Wanna go somewhere with your dad?” “Like…where?” “Yomamaburg. They’ve got plenty of places to have fun, right?” “You mean like…the casino?” “Exactly! From what I hear, parents and children are required to play together.” “True. Going there was Mom’s idea. So you mean…?” Hayato nodded. He put his arm over Masato’s shoulders, hefting the bag of mums. “Here we have a father, a son, and some funds. What more could we want?” “Hmm. I’m certainly into the idea of casinos, so the offer’s tempting. If this wasn’t an invitation from a Demon Lord, I’d have agreed already.” “Then what say we call this a casino battle between Daddy Demon Lord and his Hero son? We each start with the money we’ve earned today. Will you accept a challenge from me, the Demon Lord? Or will you turn tail and run?” “Well, when you put it like that… But still…” “What’s stopping you?” “I’d better consult Mom before— Gah?!” The moment “Mom” left his lips, the Demon Lord’s arm tightened around his throat. “Er, Dad? You’re choking me!” “Listen, Masato. Listen well. Your desire to not worry your mother is admirable… But despite that, you know what I think?” “Wh-what?” “I think children should worry their parents sometimes. That’s what makes being a parent worthwhile! You know the old phrase about teachers only remembering the handfuls?” “Uh, is that a real thing?” “It is. So go on and make her worry just a little. You’re not yet a grown-up! But neither are you a helpless child who can’t do anything without your parents around. Sometimes you need to follow your own heart, regardless of what your mother thinks. As the Hero chosen by the Heavens, stretch your wings and take flight. What do you say?” “That…makes sense.” “Of course it does! And now that you’re on board, a follow-up.” The Demon Lord’s arm took a firm grip on Masato’s shoulders, pulling him to one side, away from the receptionist and other adventurers. “Just between you and me,” he whispered, “when I completed the extermination quest in Yomamaburg, the client—the casino owner—made me an offer. A very tempting one.” “So that’s why you offered to take me there—?” “No, not just to the casino. The owner has started a new enterprise. A little nightlife, if you will. And he asked if I’d give it a test drive.” “What kind of nightlife are we talking here?” But Hayato just grinned and raised his pinky. Anyone Japanese knew what that meant—women. “A shop open at night, where women work… Y-you mean—?” One of those shops. Masato was already blushing. “Dad…is that even legal…?” “I’ll be honest—in the real world, we wouldn’t even be having this conversation. But this is a game—a video game. We’re just doing a trial run, broadening your horizons—I’m offering you a little worldly knowledge. They said up front it’s all good as long as you’re accompanied by a guardian.” “Then, I guess I could…but… No, that’s—” “Masato.” The Demon Lord Hayato’s voice was stern. He held out a hand for a shake. “Are you a man?” Those words really struck a nerve. Masato met that gaze head-on. The Demon Lord. His father. A man. And reached out to shake… But then the ground at their feet began to tremble. This again?! “Oh no!” “What’s wrong, Masatoooooooaughhhh?!” Even as he spoke, the ground shot up, breaking through the floor. The shockwave knocked down the building walls, flinging both of them outside. What had happened? It was all too clear. The mom skill A Mother’s Fangs had activated, seeking out her son’s location and disrupting whatever was happening there. The father-son duo went rolling across the street outside the guild, and a woman appeared behind them. “Hee-hee-hee. Dear? Ma-kun?” That voice made both men let out a soundless scream. Expressions synchronized, they shuddered…and turned around to find Mamako smiling at them. The girls were behind her, looking lost, but they didn’t matter now. In her right hand, Terra di Madre. In her left hand, Altura. Both Holy Swords held tight. A wild Mamako appeared. What next? “Wait, why are in we combat?! …Uh, you…you see, Mom—!” “Ma-kun, I could’ve sworn I heard you discussing going to a casino with your father—and then exploring the nightlife together. Was I imagining that?” “How good are your ears?!” No matter how far apart they were, Mamako would never miss her son’s voice. “Wait! Calm down, Mom! We can talk this out! Family discussion!” “Masato, back down! Leave this one to Dad!” “A Demon Lord protecting the Hero is not a good look, but go for it!” Masato beat an emergency retreat! Getting as far away as he could! But his path was blocked. “Stop.” “On your knees.” Mamako’s words had been all the info Wise and Medhi needed. Their gazes were cold as ice. “Use this cushion!” “Very nice of you to offer, but…” He gently rejected Porta’s kind gesture, choosing instead to rest his knees in the dirt. And watched… As the Demon Lord Hayato raised his greatsword, ready to lay down his life in combat with Mamako. “Mamako! First, hear this! This was all discussed well in advance! This is something I wish to do for Masato, as his father!” “I remember. It’s a father’s job to teach him about bad things. If he gets involved in them without knowing the risks, he might make a mistake he never recovers from. So the first time should be together. As your father did for you, you’ll do for Ma-kun. Isn’t that what you told me, dear?” “Exactly! Bad things are still bad, but there is much to be learned from them! Many things you can only learn there! Valuable experience necessary for surviving in the real world! So let this one pass—please!” Hayato came at Mamako with a mighty spousal declaration. A powerful blow! But Mamako withstood it, her swords crossed in an X shape to reject his attack. “Ma-kun is still too young. He’s only fifteen!” “True, but this is a game world! There’s no need to treat him like a child here!” “A child is a child anywhere.” “To a parent, yes. But in developmental terms, children do not stay children forever! A parent’s duty goes beyond protection! Sometimes we must release our embrace, and let them take flight on their own—!” “No.” “But you must…!” “No.” Mamako’s smiley attacks offered two-negatory multi-denial effectiveness, and Hayato’s greatsword was deflected. Then Mamako sheathed both holy blades…and put one hand on her hip, her index finger raised high. Still smiling. “Dear.” “Wh-what?” “Tut, tut.” Not as a mother, but as a wife—the scolding cannon fired. The effect remained unchanged. Light gathered at her fingertip before unleashing an incredibly hot beam. “Huh?” As the Demon Lord gaped, his body was swallowed up in the light, and he was blown away toward the horizon. Daddy Demon Lord had become a distant star. “You get no dinner tonight, dear. Hee-hee.” Scolded with love. Mamako turned on her heel and stepped over to Masato. “Ma-kun, we’re going back to the inn and having dinner.” Grin. “R-right… As you wish…” He was pulled to his feet, and her arms wrapped around him—a little tighter than usual, perhaps as punishment. “Er, um…Mom? Is Dad okay? I’m kinda legitimately concerned…” “I’m sure he’ll be fine. Hee-hee.” “Uh, no, I really don’t think he is…” Nobody could survive Mamako’s scoldings intact. Masato’s first taste of nightlife dissipated like the morning mist, and the Demon Lord was vanquished… But Hayato still lived. He was buried deep in a wall over the plateau outside Catharn, his body literally smoking—but unharmed. He was a Demon Lord and partner to the most powerful mother alive. And not for nothing. “Sheesh. Dotes on our son so much, she’ll protect him from everything. And this is the result! You never change, Mamako.” Prying himself out of the crater, he easily hopped to the top of the plateau. The transport point nearby was bathed in moonlight. Surprised by the Demon Lord’s approach, fairies lurking in the brushes shot up warning lights, fluttering away. A fantastical sight. Probably pretty annoying for them, though. Hayato leaned against a stone pillar, gazing down at the capital below. “The final problem is definitely going to be Mamako… She’s gonna give me hell. I may have to exercise a tad more caution,” he muttered gloomily. But then a light descended on the transport point. Someone had arrived. Shiraaase. “Oh? I didn’t expect to find a Demon Lord here. I imagined you’d be crying into your wife’s food again.” “I’m in the doghouse at the moment, I’m afraid. As for my earlier request…” “Preparations are complete. The stage for the final battle should be ready, somehow, by tomorrow evening.” “And our assistants?” “Readily accepted. They say tomorrow works for them, but they’re already on their way. I’m here to meet and greet. Until further word arrives…” “Keep up the good work.” Shiraaase vanished into the light once more. Hayato reached into his pocket and took out a piece of paper. The fairies around kicked up a fuss. “Look! The man with the scary sword is reading something!” “Must be mulling over his plans! Evil plans!” “I know! Anyone with a sword like that must be a Demon Lord! And they’re always up to no good!” Their hackles raised further, they made themselves scarce. Hayato grinned at their adorable babble, but his smile soon faded—and he looked at the paper with an expression befitting a Demon Lord. On it was written a single word: MAMARAID. It depicted a scantily clad woman—an ad for a cabaret. Whatever other plans he had afoot, this Demon Lord didn’t give up easily.
Chapter 193
12 min read