My roared complaint causes Golem to turn a wary eye on me. It’s like he’s only just now noticing I exist. He’s got the face of someone wondering why a child is sitting at the adults’ table.
My, how rude! Just so you know, I’m considered a bona fide adult in Analia, where anyone over fifteen is an adult.
“What in the world is the story with this…little lady…?” Golem asks Julius after he thoroughly scrutinizes me.
His choice of words in describing a fine woman like me crosses deep into the realm of rudeness, but so be it. Answering who I am is a boon unto this world!
I suck in a deep breath to tell him that I love Elle Village the most and am the most loved by Elle Village—but Julius covers my mouth.
All the air I inhaled can’t be exhaled into proper words with his hand in the way.
As I’m choking on muffled words, Julius coolly answers in my place. “She can be saved for later. I want to hear your thoughts first. Will you help me or not?”
Hey, man! Why am I getting pushed off for later?! Let me introduce myself! Lemme say my trademark phrase!
“Your impudence goes too far! I’d never help you!” Golem lashes out.
“I see,” Julius answers, offended. “Then don’t. All I want is the woman Aela and her ability to see through magic.”
My heart drops.
“All I want is you, Aela.”
I know that line. It’s the most impactful line Julius says to Aela in the manga. It’s what he tells her when she asks him if his heart doesn’t ache after betraying Analia and defeating the rest of the Grand Magi he once called allies.
I wonder if he’s starting to fall for Aela like he’s meant to…
Agitation mounting, I study his eyes as they’re fixed on Aela. He drops his gaze slightly, apparently shifting his attention to the fairy riding on her shoulder.
“I can also use that fairy sitting there. I never thought I would encounter one out of hiding from the Fairy Realm. I’ve heard fairies are more accomplished sorcerers than humans. Legend has it that they were the ones who spread sorcery through the human world. Golem, was it? Your assistance is unrequired. You may go if you wish.” Julius dismisses him the same he would a bumbling servant past his years.
Golem turns crimson and yells “Bastard…!” and lunges across the table at him. Prince Guido grabs him by the shoulder and pulls him back into his seat.
“Golem, don’t let him goad you. Calm down…,” he advises his friend, then turns a penetratingly cold gaze on Julius. “Don’t provoke us, Julius. Remaining calm is difficult when I think of all the things you’ve done to Gaea. If it were up to me, I would kill you right now.”
The hatred blazing in his eyes frankly gives me the chills, but Julius returns the gaze with his usual lack of expression. That’s Julius for you. The strongest of the Four Grand Magi is different from the rest of us. He fears and feels nothing.
Or so I thought, but after a long pause, Julius ever so slightly lowers his gaze.
“…A valid point. My apologies. I wasn’t trying to provoke you.”
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaah! A-Apology! Oh my Demon Lord! Julius apologized!
Everyone, including me, looks at him in utter shock. Commandeering everyone’s full attention, Julius continues to speak with his eyes cast down.
“I’ll be honest with you…I have no experience seeking help. I don’t understand how to interact beyond threats. But regardless of my unease in this matter, I still want to borrow your assistance.”
Every member of Saint Aela’s party reacts with surprise over Julius’s commendable confession. Even I’m a little shaken up by the way he’s acting. After all, while he’s relatively amicable with the people of Elle Village, he treats all outsiders like they’re the enemy to be annihilated.
Because when all’s said and done, he’s still the former commander of the Demon Lord’s Army. Up until I asked him not to kill anyone here, he had resumed his role as an evil general wanting to wipe out Saint Aela’s group just for having discovered us.
Saint Aela’s team is too shocked for words, but it’s Saint Aela herself who doesn’t seem too surprised and answers him first. “You are faced with that great an obstacle that you are willing to seek out our help. What is it that troubles you so?” she asks.
Yes! That’s what I want to know! It’s been bothering me this whole time!
The thing is, I participated in this dinner party as mayor without really knowing the point of it. What is it that’s brought Julius to the point of apologizing and practically begging Saint Aela for her help?
Julius, who has been dominating everyone’s attention during this deathly silent dinner party, quietly answers her. “I want you to join me in defeating the Demon Lord.”
Huh? Join him in defeating the Demon Lord?
Tension runs through the dinner party.
“I would gladly destroy the Demon Lord on my own, but certain circumstances will make it hard to do so through normal means,” Julius continues while everyone is too startled to speak. “Every time I venture into town, I hear rumors of Saint Aela. I just witnessed your saintly powers for myself and they are quite real. With your powers on my side, I might be able to demolish the Demon Lord.”
“D-Demolish the Demon Lord?” Lylish cries out in a shrill voice from where she’s elegantly perched on Saint Aela’s shoulder. “Do you seriously mean that? You, one of the Four Grand Magi?”
“…I’m serious. I am no longer one of Analia’s Four Grand Magi, nor do I belong to the Demon Lord. I am merely a man who loves living in this rural village,” Julius admits.