Chapter 28

EPILOGUE The Scarlet Moon Won’t Grace the Night Sky The city of Shinjuku. Veltol was alone, walking through Waseda Street to go buy a new game pad. He was wearing a black coat over a black tracksuit, under which was his classic Demon Lord T-shirt. Waseda Street, home to many educational institutions, was full of students. Three days had passed since the events in Akihabara. The state of affairs there had greatly changed, so all exchange students were immediately sent back to their own cities, including Veltol et al. Fortunately, thanks to Takahashi’s skills, their forged records never came to light. It was a short-lived school experience, but Veltol had enjoyed it quite a bit. It gave him a new friend, after all. He looked up. The sky over Waseda Street was much wider than what was visible from Kabukicho Street. “A king’s duty…eh?” Shinjuku’s sky put him in a pensive mood. Sihlwald, the Black Dragon. May, the Mournful Firmament. Machina had told him the girl with the visor was May. He, too, had felt someone else’s mana within her—a foreign agent, just like Meldia’s mana within Hizuki. Though he had hoped and prayed that May and Sihlwald were alive and well, deep down, he had given up, almost certain he would never see them again. But they really had survived. Veltol was pleased, of course, but confusion still plagued his mind. The Dark Peers Record belonging to Sihlwald, the Black Dragon, was under a strong seal. It would take some time to unlock it, but Veltol felt Sihlwald’s mana within. He was still alive, for certain, and that was something to be glad about. But why was May part of the Guild? What was this “New World Church” in the first place? Even Marcus had been connected to this organization. What was their goal? Why did that member call themself “Hero”? Where could Sihlwald possibly be? There was much to think about. “Heh…this world sure seems hellbent on entertaining me at every corner.” Veltol smiled, unbeknownst to anyone. “Well then, time for a drink.” He studied a nearby vending machine. There was oshiruko soup, sister salt, mecha cola, and miso-soup soda. “Hmm?” As he pondered his beverage of choice, Veltol saw a girl out of the corner of his eye, leaning tiredly against the fence. She had her blond hair up in pigtails and heterochromatic eyes, one scarlet and one golden. Hizuki Reynard-Yamada was wearing a school uniform, but not that of Akihabara School of Magic—it was Shinjuku First High’s. The same day she resigned as king, she turned in her withdrawal form. She followed Veltol and friends back to Shinjuku, empty-handed. This had been her first day at school with Takahashi. Veltol bought two mecha colas and called out to her. For some reason, Hizuki was reading the news on a holodisplay instead of her virtual retinal display. “Hey, Hijiki.” “Sheesh, you scared me… And it’s Hizuki.” “How was school?” he asked while handing her the can of mecha cola. “It was fine, ‘Dad.’” She laughed and grabbed the can. “Why do you ask? Were you so worried that you had to come see me?” “Don’t be ridiculous. I was just passing by.” “Yeah, yeah. School’s not bad, I guess. Takahashi’s there, so at least, it’s…more fun than it was in Akihabara. But I’m kinda famous since my speech went viral. Or more like infamous. Look at how they’re bashing me in this article. It’s actually pretty funny.” “The response is comparatively good on the forums I frequent.” “Seriously?” “Yes, they’re all talking about how attractive you are and how huge your chest is.” “Ugh, gross… By the way, you’re getting attention, too, since you were right beside me then.” “Indeed, and I must thank you for the influx of new subscribers. In any case, I’m just glad you’re doing well.” Veltol pulled the tab and took a sip of his mecha cola. The carbonated, artificially flavored drink quenched his thirst. “I literally owe everything to Takahashi,” said Hizuki. “She transferred my funds, sold the mansion, forged all the immigration paperwork, and even got me a job here. Machina, too—she’s so, so kind to me. They both are. And…well, you too.” She bashfully fiddled with her bangs. “I thought I only had the regalia left now, but I’ve got you three—my friends. And two of you are immortal to boot, so I guess that cancels out the jinx about me bringing tragedy to everyone I know.” Veltol smiled jokingly. He knew Hizuki was only putting a strong front, but he respected it. He was not the kind of man to make fun of a girl doing her best to seem tough. “Any more regrets?” “Not a one. Ms. Tratte and Mr. Korneah tried to change that city for my sake, but I can’t keep that going. I don’t belong there. Although, my real reason is…” She took in a breath. “I want to avenge my parents,” she muttered vacantly. “Vengeance?” “I dunno, I never once thought about it seriously until now…but I guess this is what it feels like to want revenge? She destroyed my life, she killed my parents, she killed Ms. Tratte and Mr. Korneah. I want to…with my own hands…” She skipped the big part. “…I see.” “Would you say revenge is absurd, Demon Lord? That no one should ever want vengeance?” “Not at all. You shall do as you wish. No one has the right to stop you.” The Demon Lord glanced at the small, frail girl. “Hey, Hizuki. Remember how you said you could never be happy?” “…Yeah.” Veltol smiled to cheer her up. To try to get her to gain some self-esteem. “I don’t know a single person who has ended up happy after swearing revenge. I am the Demon Lord, you see. I got rid of any would-be avengers. So prove it to me; prove that you can be happy even after getting your revenge. Let us take an oath. Swear that you will be happy.” “…Yeah… I hereby swear on my name as Hizuki Reynard-Yamada that I will be happy.” Veltol nodded in satisfaction. “Though, well…I think the fastest way to be happy would be to get a certain someone to teach me how,” Hizuki said timidly, playing with her hair. “The first step to happiness!!!” Hizuki’s shoulders twitched in surprise at Veltol’s sudden yell. “Gah, what the heck?!” “Fill your belly!” “What? Is that a quote from somewhere?” “Yes, from Joy and Hunger by Korneah Seburd. I found that book in his drawing room and got the digital release after. It’s pretty good. That quote is apparently an old goblin saying.” “Huh…” “In any case, since you’ll be living here in Shinjuku, I’m going to take you out for some good udon. My treat.” “Veltol, you kind of suck at asking girls out to dinner.” “There is not a single woman in the world who wouldn’t be thrilled to have dinner with me.” “What’re you on?” “Heh. You’re already thrilled, I see. That’s a smile on your face.” “Wha—?! Tsk! No, it’s not! Okay, this better be good!” “No worries, you have my guarantee. Let’s be off, Hijiki.” “Hizuki!” She smiled, already accustomed to this exchange. “Veltol.” “What is it?” “Thank you for saving us.” She walked three steps behind him, feeling secretly guilty. She still hadn’t told him that a piece of the goddess’s soul remained deep within her body; Hizuki herself had kept this fragment before Meldia’s soul completely disappeared. She didn’t do it out of pity. She just thought Meldia, too, was part of her. She felt sad letting all of her go. But she was fine with keeping a secret. The most interesting women always have secrets. She also convinced herself that she needed at least a few secrets to live her new life after abandoning her past. Vengeance was her new driving force. Perhaps some would ridicule her for such a gloomy raison d’être; perhaps others would pity such a sad way of life. But the Demon Lord smiled at her, and that was enough hope to keep on living. So Hizuki, too, smiled. She smiled to prove she was happy. She swore to one day become worthy of standing side by side with the Demon Lord. And she was sure she would hear that voice again. The Demon Lord walked ahead of the girl, not bothering to match her pace. He was traveling his own noble path, and a king always took the front. The udon shop came into view, along with two people standing in front of it. “Oh! Machina, look! Velly and Hizuki are on a date!” “Hee-hee-hee. I’ll allow it just this one more time, Hizuki.” They were Takahashi and Machina. “It’s not like that!” A red-faced Hizuki denied Takahashi’s claim from behind Veltol. “Bwa-ha-ha! Our journey has led us one step closer to world domination…but first—we must eat!” The encounters they had in Akihabara were now the foundation for a peaceful day-to-day. And Veltol’s noble path was built upon it. “After all, the first step to happiness is filling your belly!”