[Past, Demon King's Castle]

"Y'know, for a Demon King, I didn't expect it to be so...underwhelming."

A teenage girl, smarter than most and wielding magics greater than any products of that embarrassing artificer, scratched her head in awkwardness.

I wouldn't blame her. My position is a thankless job, but someone's got to do it. Just as my daughter needs to do her part as well.

"Well, that's the part that I'm supposed to play. Sorry if you got dragged into all of this."

I shoot a grin in her direction, only for her to flush and stammer out a sentence. So cute. It would seem like all these years spent on paperwork didn't dull my ability to tease someone.

"N-No, it's fine, but I just wonder if...you know, uh...you get bored around here."

"Oh yeah. I absolutely do. Nobody to talk to around here, you know? I'm thinking of getting some playmates to talk to at this rate."

"About that..."

"Hm?"

"...What if I took your place as the Demon King?"

If I didn't have enough self-control, I would've dropped my teacup onto the porcelain table.

"Why?"

"...Because...you know...right?"

Ah, she started mumbling to herself.

"Look, it's not like I'm trying to keep my position or anything. In fact, this just gives me some time for a vacation. I'm just trying to wrap my head around the fact that you would be willing to take up such a thankless job. Why?"

"IT SOUNDS COOL, ALRIGHT!?"

A smile forms on my face, the flush on her cheeks reminding me of a certain individual. Like my daughter. Definitely like my daughter.

What I wouldn't give to erase that memory off my mind...it still gives me shudders up to this day.

"There's going to be a lot of paperwork, you know?"

"...I still get the title though, right?"

"You do."

"Then I'll take it. Right now. We could even make up a contract."

I couldn't help but smile, even as I slowly move my seat away from her. Even though she's a good person and is willing to give me a much-needed break, I still wouldn't forget the fact that she's weird.

"...Fine. But you only get the title once I fill up this castle with a few individuals, alright? I wouldn't want you to be lonely around here."

"Eh, sure."

And so, it became the day that the position of Demon King changed hands. Not by a bloody coup d' etat, but with a peaceful signing of a contract.

"Oh, but I get to name myself as the Demon King's General, alright?"

...Well, my daughter had to get it from somewhere...

[Present, Wiz's Shop – Axel]

"And so, that's why I'm here today." I sip my tea, even as two pairs of eyes stare at me like I was the greatest idiot in the entire world.

Though, Wiz sure had had improved on her tea brewing. Which was weird, given that she's a Lich.

"You didn't even give the reason as to why you're currently here, Bree-san."

"Indeed. The woman who's books are still in the red even with moi help speaks the truth. In fact, if this handsome devil's memory is by any indication, it is the same spiel that you gave me when you recruited me to serve under that young girl who's personality seems more like a Crimson Demon than a normal human being."

Mm. Vanir I could get, but since when did Wiz not mince words, eh? That's just sad.

"Fine. I came here to see my daughter."

The air around the shop seemed to stop, even as Vanir fired a Death Beam at me. Said beam was summarily directed towards Wiz, who let out a sharp bark of pain as the beam connected with her.

"B-Bree-san, can I please ask you to stop doing that? Vanir's been doing that to me at least once a day since he always checks the books just before the shop closes..."

Mm. That's definitely your fault, though.

"Former Demon King, are you perchance talking about that particularly distasteful individual?"

"Oi. No matter how many true things you say about her, she's still my daughter."

"She's a goddess, you understand."

"Yes."

"And you are the current Demon King, since the rest of the world haven't seen the new Demon King take to the front lines as of the moment, yes?"

"Yup."

"...Do you realize how idiotic you are currently acting as of the moment? Even the young man who only visits the shop due to his libido has greater common sense than you."

I perk up and turn towards the front door, even as the wood slams open to reveal a young mam with hazel hair and eyes in an adventurer's outfit. Given by Vanir's joyful expression, it would seem that said young man was embarrassed that he had been found out.

...I'm not even touching on what that archdevil meant by libido. He's a teenager. I can understand.

"I don't just visit here just because of Wiz, you hear?!"

"A-Ah, Kazuma-san, even though I am flattered by your opinion of me, I need to refuse your confession..."

I sigh, even as I take another sip of my tea.

"Wiz, I can assure you that if you don't accept this young man's feelings, you will surely turn out to be an old ha–"

"[Cursed Crystal Prison]!"

Ah, as per usual, she's as easy to tease as before. I think that I'm going to feel a little cold for a while, though. The ice covering me up to my chin is making me shiver a bit.

"Former Demon King, I must once again praise you for the effortless way that you are able to extract negative emotions from the people around you! It would seem like I still have much to learn from you!"

I blink, before turning towards the archduke of hell with the flattest look that I could muster. He seemed to realize his mistake, but I already turned my gaze towards the young man by the doorway.

Luckily, Wiz's [Cursed Crystal Prison] held the young man's foot in place. That's still an absurdly high Luck rating, though, since I'm sure the range of the spell would've at least frozen the young man up until his waist.

I turn towards the young man with a smile on my face.

"Well...Kazuma-san, was it? My name is Bree. As Vanir can attest to, I'm the former Demon King."

In response, the young man seemed to faint. Understandable reaction, really.

Still, I couldn't help but giggle at his current situation.