After helping everyone deal with the cleanup and aftermath at the airport, I slipped through the door that led to the real throne room and headed home with En.
“We’re home.”
“We’re...home.”
Immediately, we heard responses.
“Welcome back, you two. A job well done today.”
“Welcome back, my lord! I just made some tea. Would you both like some too?”
“Yes, please! Thanks.”
“Me...too. Thank you.”
Lefi and Lew were the only ones there.
En took her cup and plopped herself down on a chair, holding it in both hands and sipping. I also took mine, then sat down on my throne with a relieved sigh. I took a sip, the hot liquid wetting my parched throat.
I’m tired. Not, like, physically, but mental fatigue was still a thing even with my body’s insane specs. I’d been working so hard lately that I sometimes wondered why I was being so diligent with my job in the first place.
For better or for worse... Actually, for better, because it wasn’t something I’d ever felt bad about, I’d never lived among mankind in the world outside. All I’d done with this life so far was whatever I wanted all day, every day with my family in our dungeon.
But at the moment, others were starting to have an effect on my life too. Maybe even a little more than I would’ve liked. It would’ve been so much easier to say something like, “I don’t give a rat’s ass,” and leave them all to fend for themselves. Except I had more ties to the outside world now. And wonder of wonders, I wanted to cherish those ties.
My exhaustion must’ve been obvious, because just then, Lefi and Lew both spoke to me.
“Gah ha! A very tiring day, I take it?”
“You’ve been looking tired a lot lately, my lord. Did something happen again?”
“Yeah, a terrorist attack at the airport. Bombs went off everywhere and a monster showed up. Again. It was rough. Some folks got hurt too.”
“Master...you did your best. Thanks to you, no one died, and more people didn’t get hurt.”
“Ah, so that is how it is. I thought you had made yet another blunder, but I am glad to have been proven wrong.”
“Tee hee, looks like it was a good idea on your part to start taking En and Lord Rir with you on your trips to the outside world, my lord.”
“Yup... I protect him out there for you all.”
“And what a dependable little bodyguard you are, kiddo. Seriously.”
After a bit of small talk, En let out a cute little yawn. The sleepiness was clearly hitting her.
“I...want to take a nap.”
“Why don’t you lie down in our room, then?” Lew suggested. “I just took the futon down from the line, so all I have to do is put on the sheets. Gimme a minute.”
“Thank...you.”
“Of course! But I’ll wake you up in about an hour, okay? Since dinner is in two.”
“Okay...”
With that, En sleepily shuffled off to Lew and Leila’s room.
Lew and Leila still shared the same room. Occasionally, we all slept together in the main common area, but they were apparently used to their room, so most of the time, they still slept there. Just like how Lefi and I often played games before bed, they liked to chat before sleeping. The two of them had been close back when they’d been coworkers, and that hadn’t changed even now that they were officially family.
“Judging from En’s state, was the monster you encountered powerful?”
“Nah, we basically obliterated it with one hit before it could even attack. I couldn’t afford to hold back with so many civilians around. But En also used a ton of her mana, so maybe that’s why she’s so sleepy.”
“You know, my lord...I feel like you’re getting closer and closer to Lefi in terms of strength.”
“Gah ha! Well, he is indeed quite strong for one of mankind.”
“Personally, the stronger I get, the crazier your power feels to me.”
“As of late, Nell has been growing stronger as well. How do I put it... The aura of a true hero has been seeping out. Never mind that she is on the path to leaving that life behind.”
“I’ve always admired how good she is at managing her emotions. Sometimes she’s really silly and affectionate, and then there are the times when she’s super serious and looks so dashing. I honestly don’t think there’s any human who’s stronger than her.”
“Samesies. I’ve met a bunch of humans, and I can say for sure that even if a country’s most elite soldiers joined forces, they wouldn’t be a match for Nell. Hell, at her current level, she might just be able to hold her own against the best demon fighters.”
“The fact that she can fight the monsters of the Demonic Forest proves that she easily ranks among the highest of mankind. In her case, that and her maddening courage allow her to fully utilize all of her already outrageous talents. Speaking of Nell, she will return the day after tomorrow. In light of the event you all are in the midst of organizing, things are busy in her country as well.”
“Good to know. And yeah, that makes sense. No way Alisia isn’t busy when Reauxgard is.”
I knew Nell was working just as hard as me. I made a mental note to thank her when she came back.
“Time to change the subject. How are you two feeling?”
“We are well. Lew and I monitor each other’s health every day, and Leila keeps an eye on both of us, so there is no cause for concern.”
“Every day, I’m grateful for our family, my lord. Having everyone here makes the tough stuff a whole lot easier to manage.”
“Particularly Iluna and the other wee ones. They are always so considerate, trying to help us with everything. Truly, it fills my heart with joy.”
“Tee hee, I agree. I love watching them do their best because they’re so excited to be big sisters!”
“Good, good...”
As we chatted, I felt my fatigue melting away, my mind healing. Ahhh, this is the life...
“Is something the matter?”
“Nah. Guess I’m kinda tired too. I think I’ll get some shut-eye.”
“An excellent notion. Lew, lend him your lap.”
“Huh?! Me?!”
“Ooh, yeah, I’d love that. If you don’t mind, of course.”
“N-Not at all! Then, um...should we go to the inn, my lord?”
“Let’s.”
And so, Lew and I went to the inn, where she hastily laid out a futon for us. I stretched out, resting my head on her lap. She sat where a pillow would’ve been. I enjoyed the sensation of her thighs under my head.
“If it gets too uncomfortable for you, just move my head off, okay?”
“Thank you, but I’ll be fine. Don’t worry about me. All you have to do is sleep.”
Lew smiled as she gently ran her fingers through my hair.
“I’ll be right here, my lord.”
My wife’s soft, soothing voice. Her warmth and comforting scent hanging in the air. Cocooned in it all, I drifted off, my eyelids heavy...