Chapter XII
Greetings everyone! I am back with more Demon Lord's Adventurers, that I only recently realized could have had the snappier title Diablo's Lovely Adventurers and still feature the same acronym. But such is life. That said, hopefully everyone enjoyed the previous chapter, it seems at least a fair few of you did, which is always nice. I hope you enjoy this one as well, so be sure to leave a review letting me know if you did. As usual, Bakuto is along for the ride. And rest easy, I will probably be doing DLA for the next while. Though as a warning, in case you have not read some of the other stuff I posted recently, I have returned to my day job, so my speed at doing any writing will be much slower than before. Anyway, enough rambling, on to the reviewer responses!
Guest: Welcome to my stories. You must be new here.
correnhimself316: Oh yes you do.
superpierce: Because the game didn't actually use just letters, it used numbers tied to those letters. But Diablo is still getting a hang on the skill, thus he can't get the exact data. I believe he even said as much.
Fortitude501: It's quite the punishment for the Explosion freak.
DreamWeaverGod: And if you can't find them, just leave a review naming the characters you don't recognize and I would be more than happy to tell you where they're from.
No, I wear the label madlad with pride.
I wanted to have him be harsh but fair in that regard. One of my biggest issues with a lot of anime protagonists, I can name more than a few off the top of my head, is that they're too soft.
Honestly, that just seems like the point of a good crossover to me. Why mix the series together if you're going to keep the lore and story of that series completely unchanged.
Sadly, as I've said a few times over the past week or so, it has come to an end due to me returning to my day job.
ObsidianUnknown66: I had hints of it earlier that no one seemed to pick up on. It's going to cause an interesting result, there's no doubt about that. Indeed it will. I can promise things won't go how they did in Isekai Maou canon.
Bachi the cat: Because my time to write is, especially now, finite. I'd rather just answer individual cases of certain characters instead of listing every single one. Moluka is the Wizard from Goblin Slayer. Fikuma is Fighter Girl from Goblin Slayer. Her full name is Nanana Ryuugajou from Nanana's Buried Treasure. She isn't an OC.
15songoku: Be my guest.
Yes, Raphtalia is here! I plan for her to stay a child for a bit, don't worry.
She most certainly is.
We will. I have not and do not have any plans to do so. Sadly, I have no intentions of adding it to anything.
I have read quite a bit of it, yes.
Indeed, it's unnerving how she knows so much.
She definitely had to hold it in. It's very possible she played twintwang that night.
Yes. Yes he did. I figured adding them in would be nice little additions.
Narmaya definitely fits the title of Best Girl, that's for damn sure. And yeah, I thought it was adorable myself.
Sorry, no can do on them.
Neuronist is going to get more toys to play with than it knows what to do with soon. Don't worry, Orangewood will be showing up.
Grand Order, Apocrypha, Nanatsu, and Maoyu don't factor into the actual plot all that much, to be honest. The only reason to watch them, besides them being good series, is to get a grasp on the characters from them I'll be using.
Hm... I don't recall anything being missing, at least that I've mentioned thus far. There are other series not in your list, but that's mainly because I haven't brought them up yet.
Skull Flame: You can bet on it.
Can? It will. This is Aqua we're talking about.
Indeed she is.
Onishin Tsukitenshi: I figured that's who you meant, since Shizu was kinda deaded at that point.
Yes. Kind of. You'll see what I mean soon enough.
I wouldn't hold my breath on that one.
Lawoi: Well the frustration will climax soon enough.
I have considered it and even done it a few times in the past, but it just never goes well since it's a series I know nothing about.
METALHELLSPWN: Yeah, anyone wanting to go after Shera has quite the menagerie of pain to get through. That's actually quite a good description of her, honestly.
Zabaniya: Patience, grasshopper. DanMachi get mentioned in many ways as the story goes on, including mentions of Orario itself. No, it is a DanMachi crossover, you're just impatient.
Phew! That was a lot. I love it, keep it coming! Enough babbling, on to the main event!
Diablo sighed to himself as he walked down a simple stone path alone. "This is the first time I've actually gone out and done anything on my own since coming here. It's rather liberating." Pulling a rolled up map out of his Inventory, he looked it over in thought. "So… which path should I take to get to Rabier…? Hm… I think maybe going through Carne might not be a bad idea. I'll check in on the people there on my way through. Sounds like a plan."
As he made his way towards the edge of the village, he could see from there that it was bustling with activity, people running around doing their various tasks or simply enjoying the day. "Looks like they are doing well."
"Ah, Lord Ainz!"
Turning, Diablo saw Enri carrying a basket of herbs and various plants, with a woman next to him he had not seen before.
A young, blonde elf with almost snow-white skin, vibrant blue eyes, and hair that was a bright gold than Shera's. Another aspect she shared with the naïve elf, was her cleavage that stretched her white blouse to its limits, held together by a brown corset at her waist, just above a vibrant green skirt, finished off by simple brown shoes.
'… Another boob elf…' he said to himself as the girl turned to him curiously, her chest shifting in her top.
Looking at Enri, the confused elf questioned, "Ainz? You mean the man who saved the village?"
"Yep!" Enri chirped with a smile and a nod.
"Wow…"
"And you are?" Diablo asked.
Flinching, the girl bowed deeply. "O – Oh, my apologies. I'm Lyrule."
He nodded in recognition. "I see. Good to see you weren't affected by the Theocracy's attack."
Putting a hand on Lyrule's shoulder, Enri explained, "She and some of the others were out gathering berries and apples at the time."
"Ah."
"So why are you here, Lord Ainz?"
"I'm merely passing through."
"Oh…" she answered, disappointed.
That reaction caught him by surprise. "Why? Is there something you need?"
"W – Well, no…" she stuttered, seeming to try and find a reason.
"I see."
"Though… are you busy?"
He just shrugged simply. "Depends on what you have in mind."
"U – Um…" she stuttered once more, looking around for an answer when someone called out to the two.
"Hey, what's taking so long with those herbs?" asked a mildly annoyed voice that approached the group.
Turning, Diablo saw an older Chienthrope woman with deep brown hair, tall pointed ears, and a long fluffy tail, wearing a rather plain, pale green, vertically striped sweater that hugged her figure tightly, her voluptuous chest threatening to overtake her corset, the dark sage shawl over her shoulders doing little to obscure it, along with tightly rapped sleeves, wound with rope, and a green skirt that reached all the way to her ankles, leaving very little of her skin exposed, but her figure still eminently pronounced.
He gulped slightly. '… Woof…'
The woman herself then saw Diablo and blinked in thought a few times. "Woof…" After taking a moment, she nodded in realization. "Oh, you must be the god that helped the village."
Enri and Lyrule gasped before turning to Diablo. "G – God!?"
Diablo frowned incredulously. "… How…?"
The Chienthrope woman blinked in confusion, looking between the three. "Hm? What? Did I say something bad?"
"He's a god!?" Enri asked in shock.
Diablo nodded with a sigh. "Yes, I am. I had hoped to hide that fact."
The woman's ears fell back with a weak laugh. "Oops, sorry…"
"How'd you know Ms. Wolf?" he asked.
"Winona," she corrected, giving her name. "You look like a Draph but you don't smell like anything I've encountered before. Plus your face…"
Diablo tilted his head slightly in confusion. "My face?"
"All gods and goddesses, despite whether they appear young or old, have perfect, flawless faces."
Diablo furrowed his brow incredulously. '… I knew I designed this character to be handsome but I didn't know I went that far… maybe I should have added some scars or something…' "Anyway…" he trailed off, trying to redirect.
Winona then turned to Lyrule and Enri, motioning back to the village. "Alright you two, run on home."
The two nodded and bowed to Diablo before running back.
Watching the two leave, Winona's expression soured before she approached Diablo and spoke quietly. "So, is it true?"
He was only confused by her question. "Pardon?"
"I've heard rumors Faltra might be going to war."
"I am doing my best to prevent that," he replied frankly.
Winona sighed and put a hand on her cheek in exasperation. "I swear the governor loves wars…"
"The prince of Greenwood is the one trying to start it," he answered gruffly.
Winona furrowed her brow in bewilderment. "The elves? Good grief…"
"Yes. That shitty prince is trying to take one of my Familia members and use her as his personal breeding whore."
She growled deeply. "He's a disgrace to elves if that's true."
"I assure you it is, unfortunately."
Nodding apprehensively, she added, "I'd advise you to watch out for the governor too."
"Oh?" he asked with uneasy curiosity.
"He loves to earn new commendations in warfare, so it's possible he'll get in the way of a peaceful resolution."
He just huffed dismissively. "If he does, it will be the final act he does."
She nodded with a smile. "Well let's hope it doesn't come to that. The one good spot of the governor is he doesn't discriminate between humans and bumans."
"Bumans?"
"Many of the humans refer to us as Demihumans, but we prefer the term we've picked for ourselves, bumans."
"Understood."
"So you truly don't have time to stay?"
"I'm afraid not. I may stop by on my way home, however. I have to… deal with a noble that has gained my ire."
Her tail swished slowly in curiosity. "My, my. Must be quite the fool to earn the ire of a god."
"Yes. A man named Idol Rapier," he answered with a nod.
Winona's entire countenance stiffened at that.
He sighed in recognition. "I am guessing you're familiar with this particular brand of filth."
"Unfortunately… he's well known among the buman inhabitants of Re-Estize…" Winona hissed.
"Given the accounts concerning my newly adopted daughter I believe that is putting it mildly."
"Yeah…"
"My apologies for shadowing your day. I'll come by another day."
"It's okay, Lord Diablo," she answered with a smile as he walked by before looking to the side. "What about your companion?" As she turned around, she noticed he did not hear her, disappointing her slightly.
Diablo looked around at the various structures as he entered the village, most of the houses fully repaired from the attack by the Theocracy. "Looks like it is doing much better now." As he did, he noticed a girl, another Chienthrope, playing with several younger children.
A somewhat petite young woman with light brown hair, her ears and tail tipped with white fur, bright red eyes, wearing a plain pink blouse and dark blue trousers.
'… Another wolf girl…'
Winona tapped his shoulder with a smirk. "You take a liking to Holo?"
"Holo?"
"My daughter."
He blinked in thought, looking between Winona and Holo before making the connection. "… You're a mother?"
She raised an eyebrow at his response. "I am. Why?"
"… No reason. Though given the way you look and act I should have already assumed you were one."
"Oh?" she responded before deciding to drop it. "Just so you know, Holo is still looking for a mate."
"Mother!" Holo screamed as she ran over to the two with a red face. "Stop that!"
"Why? You are."
"That doesn't mean you have to announce it!" she exclaimed, her face turning even redder.
"Then how will a fine male know?"
Holo threw her arms up and demanded, "Mother! Stop talking!"
Diablo stepped away from the two with a small smile before walking away, leaving the village.
As he did, Winona frowned slightly.
Diablo heaved a sigh with a growl as he left the village. "The fact that people in villages like that know of his actions proves I need to get him to Neuronist. I suppose that one will get quite a few toys soon. Best get to this filth now then."
Darkness looked around the shop curiously. "Hm…" Exiting the shop, she looked around various containers and side streets. "Huh…"
"Miss Darkness?" Wiz asked as the blonde reentered the store, still scanning the area in frustration.
"Has anyone seen Alicia? I was hoping to speak with her but I can't find her."
Nanana furrowed her brow suspiciously. "Now that you mention it, I haven't seen her since Momo left."
Aqua, chewing on some fried potatoes, spoke up, "She told me she was heading to do some shopping."
Nanana twitched an eyebrow as she looked at the goddess. "… And how long ago was that?"
Aqua just shrugged. "I dunno. Just before Diablo left."
Grumbling, Nanana pushed, "… And how many hours was that?"
"Uuhh…" she droned, not having an answer.
"Diablo left six hours ago," Rem interjected.
"Thank you," Nanana offered.
"Really?" Aqua asked in surprise. "It's been that long? I hadn't noticed…"
"It would appear we have a problem then," Narmaya noted.
Nanana nodded in agreement. "Glad to see I am not the only smart one here."
"What can we do about it though?" Wiz asked.
"Do what?" Aqua questioned, completely lost.
"Do we really need to spell it out?" Nanana chided.
Narmaya sighed in defeat. "I'm not entirely certain there's much we can do. They've had too much of a lead. Even I couldn't catch up to him quickly enough at this point."
"Great…"
"I suppose all we can do is have faith in Diablo," Wiz added.
"Would someone tell me!?" Aqua begged.
Diablo looked around the forest as he walked. 'It would certainly be helpful to have the game's radar to know when any enemies are close, or something like it. Hm… Wait, I was able to sense the detail of how Shera's mana network is by pulsing my own mana… I wonder, if I do the same in all directions, can I detect the mana of other people around me? Worth a shot at least.'
Stopping where he stood, he closed his eyes and focused on his mana, feeling it, storing it, and then sending out in all directions. In response, his mind was filled with a blanket of white, seeing only indiscernible color in all directions.
'… Okay, maybe that was too much mana in the pulse. Let's try a little less density this time…' Concentrating and trying to send out a burst of mana slightly weaker than before, he got the result he wanted.
His mind's eye could see everything, every little insect buzzing around or crawling under the earth or squirming along a tree. Every bird and reptile moving about the world, whether above or below. In the distance, he could feel the presence of a few of the villagers just outside the edge of the city.
'… Amazing… I can see everything… But… it's still too much. Being able to detect the termites in the wall won't help look for enemies. Time to scale it back just a bit more.' And again he released a slightly weaker pulse of mana. 'Okay… I can't sense the individual bugs and plants this time… which is good. How about the villagers…? … One Chienthrope, two humans…'
His detection also alerted him to another presence he had not seen with the minutia clogging his vision. Turning to the side, he called out to someone hiding in the brush. "You can come out now."
At first there was no movement, though after a moment the bushes moved aside and Alicia stepped out from the foliage.
He glowered suspiciously as she approached him. "… Why are you here…?"
She remained silent for a moment, as if thinking, before answering simply. "Following you."
"You should be back in the city protecting Shera," he argued.
"That isn't my job," she retorted bluntly.
He frowned suspiciously as he listened. "… What?"
"My actual task given by the crown is to observe you."
Diablo narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "For what purpose?"
"Officially, to see if you are a threat to the nation or not."
He folded his arms as she spoke. "… And, unofficially?"
"I have my own reasons."
"… So that back at the governor's place was all an act?"
"Not necessarily." With a small smile, she added, "I still am who I am."
He stared at her silently for a few moments before sighing. "You've followed me this far already, I suppose you can come the rest of the way. But don't interfere."
Alicia just gave an overly sweet smile. "I have no intention of it."
"Good," he answered, slightly concerned.
With Alicia in tow, Diablo continued his path towards Rabier's estate, surprised to find Alicia helpful in finding his way there.
The two soon arrived at a large, fortress-like estate with a large wall surrounding the compound made up of several large buildings, a multi-story mansion sitting at its center.
"This the place?" he asked.
"Yes, this is Sir Idol Rabier's estate," Alicia explained.
"Good," he answered before raising his hand.
"Hm?"
"Deep Slumber."
She looked to the estate as a large purple haze floated above and engulfed the entire complex before dissipating. She blinked curiously before following Diablo as he walked through the front gates of the wall, inside finding every guard and attendant to the lord unconscious and asleep on the ground.
Seeing her slightly concerned expression, he added, "Do not worry, they will wake up soon. Their master is my goal, along with those he's enslaved."
"Understood."
Looking around, Diablo closed his eyes and released a pulse of mana. He detected numerous sources of life, before three he sensed underground caught his attention. Two small, very weak souls, and one hefty soul. "There." Looking around, he saw a set of stairs leading into the pavement before reaching a large, padlocked door.
Heading down the stairs with Alicia behind him, he walked up to the door and grabbed one of the handles, ripping both of the doors off the hinges and casting them aside.
Alicia ducked to avoid the pieces of jagged metal and wood before following Diablo again.
As he entered the long, deep hallway, his nose was filled with the scent of rotting flesh and mold. However, as he glanced to the side upon entering, he saw a prison cell, inside of which sat a small, humanoid skeleton with ragged clothes covering it.
His anger at Rabier immediately melted into full rage. His rage found a target when he saw a large, rotund, blonde-haired man lying on the ground in a lavish coat, holding a whip.
Diablo made his way towards Rabier's unconscious form, doing his best not to lose his temper just yet. As he did, however, he saw the interior of the cell Rabier collapsed in front of. Two young bumans, both female, one with short light brown hair, small, round, weasel-like ears, and wearing plain rags.
The other, a girl with short, wild black hair with white accents and pointed ears, both girls having numerous fresh and old wounds and scars on their bodies.
Diablo's patience hit its limit and he slammed his foot onto Rabier's lower leg, shattering the bone and waking the man from his induced slumber.
Rabier sat up and wailed in agony as he awakened and looked around in terror and confusion. "Wh – What the hell?! What's going on…?! Who are you!? Gaahh!" he howled and wailed.
Alicia stared silently, as Diablo snarled, "Silence, vermin!"
"Guards! Guards! Help me!" Rabier begged, receiving no answer.
"Your guards can't hear you. They aren't coming."
Rabier whimpered in fear and did his best to try and crawl away from Diablo before seeing Alicia behind the horned man. "C – Cristella! You're a Royal Knight! Please, help me!" He received his answer in silence as Alicia stared at him with cold, emotionless eyes, as if he were nothing. He paled as he realized he had no escape.
"Don't expect any aid from her either. For you are being dragged to Hell."
Rabier looked at him in genuine bewilderment. "H – Hell!? For what?! I didn't do anything wrong!"
Diablo's expression tightened in disgust. "For torturing children, you filth."
"Children?!" He then looked at the two bumans and put the pieces together. "Wait, do you mean those animals?! They're not even human, why does it matter!?"
Alicia's hand curled tightly as she listened to him, her expression unchanging.
Diablo, however, drove his point home as he shattered Rabier's other leg. "They are sapient beings, filth."
"Hyagh! O – Okay, okay, I'm sorry!" he cried out desperately.
Diablo merely huffed in disgust. "Not as sorry as you will be. For those bound for hell enjoy eternal pain and damnation. Now, to get you ready." Opening his hand, a blood red energy began to flow from his palm and shoot towards Rabier. "Shrink."
"Wh – What!?" the man shrieked before he was enveloped in light and soon found himself less than thirty centimeters tall, at which point Diablo grabbed the now miniaturized man and threw him into a small bag which he dropped into his Inventory.
Alicia watched the events unfold with quiet interest before Diablo tore open the door to the cell and made his way to the two prisoners, opening his palm towards them.
"Soothing Sunlight."
A warm golden aura enveloped the two momentarily before the girl with black hair twitched and opened her eyes. As her brain caught up to her, she paled in horror and began thrashing where she was chained.
"No! Stop, don't hit me!"
Diablo gently put his hand on her head, causing to at first freeze in fear before looking at him in confusion. "… There is no one here who will hit you."
"H – Huh…?" the girl mumbled before looking around in fatigued confusion.
Alicia walked up to the group with a smile. "You're both safe now."
"And the one that hurt you is in hell now," Diablo added. "So, what is your name?"
"M – Mine? K – Keel… I'm Keel."
"And this one?" he questioned, pointing to the girl next to her that was still unconscious.
"She's Rifana." As soon as she said that, something seemed to spark in Keel's memory and she looked at Diablo desperately. "Wait, Rifana! You have to help her, please! She's sick!"
Without waiting for further explanation, Diablo conjured a Potion of Cure Disease mixed with berry juice from his Inventory and opened the weak girl's lips just wide enough to pour the concoction into her mouth. Tilting her head back, he gently massaged her neck to get her to swallow the medicine.
After a few moments of tense silence, Rifana began to cough violently for only a second before her eyes slowly opened. Looking around the room with total exhaustion, she scanned the room for her friend. "… Ke… el…?"
"H – Here, I'm right here Rifana!"
Deciding that any danger had passed, Diablo effortlessly snapped the shackles holding both girls up and gently sat them on the floor. "Now let's get you two someplace safe and warm."
"Warm…" Rifana questioned tiredly. "Will there be… food…?"
"Of course."
Helping her friend stand shakily, Keel urged, "Come on… maybe we'll find Raphtalia…"
"Perhaps you will." Diablo sported a knowing smirk as Keel held his hand, leading the two out of the dingy prison and into the main courtyard of Rabiel's mansion.
As the group made their way out of the cellar, Diablo noticed Alicia looking around at the various unconscious soldiers.
"Something wrong Alicia?"
"Do you plan on leaving these soldiers here?"
He nodded plainly. "Yes. They will be dealt with by their own. After all, what happens to soldiers that so utterly failed to protect the noble they were assigned to protect?"
"Ah…" she responded quietly as she gripped the hilt of her sword tightly before following Diablo out the front gates.
Diablo, with Rifana on his back and his left hand holding Keel's hand, put his right hand on Alicia's shoulder.
The redhead looked at him mildly confused.
"Return."
Seconds later, the four vanished in a flash of light, reappearing in Faltra in a similar flash.
"There."
Keel, looked around in total shock. "What… where… how…?"
Diablo picked up a small smirk on his face before noting, "I'm a god. I can do many things beyond your comprehension."
Keel stared up at him in awe. "For real!?"
"I am. Now, to introduce you to the rest." Taking a moment to consider his options as he walked with the girls, he reached out to Nanana with telepathy. 'Nanana, you awake?'
With a yawn and a small grumble, Nanana roused from her sleep and answered him. 'H – Huh… Momo? Are you back in Faltra?'
'I am. I'd like you to wake Raphtalia and bring her to foyer, I've got a surprise for her.'
'Sure. Won't take long at all.'
'Thanks.'
Turning to her side, she shook Raphtalia gently. "Hey, Raph, Diablo's home."
The girl mumbled and hummed quietly before forcing her eyes open. "Mama…?"
Laughing weakly, she shook her head. "Nanana. Now, Diablo's home and he has a present for you."
Raphtalia sat up with a yawn and nodded before stretching, her tail wiggling a little. "Okay."
Nodding to himself, Diablo turned to the others. "Alright, let's head home. You able to stand yet, Rifana?"
"I – I think so…" the girl answered uncertainly.
Taking her from his shoulders, he placed her gently on the ground.
She shakily stood up, sticking her arms out to help her balance somewhat.
"There is no need to rush, Rifana."
"I… I can walk…" she returned firmly as she began using her legs gingerly.
Grabbing her hand with his, Diablo walked both Keel and Rifana towards the shop, Alicia watching the events unfold silently.
As they made their way through the dimly lit, motionless streets of the city, they eventually arrived in front of the shop.
"Here we are."
Hearing his voice, Nanana opened the door and saw Diablo, before looking down and seeing the nervous Keel and Rifana holding his hands. "… I see."
Keel stared silently up at Nanana, her eyes wide.
"Yes, li'l one?" she asked pleasantly as she knelt down.
"Pretty…" she answered softly.
Smiling, Nanana patted her head gently. "Why thank you."
"Shall we go inside?"
The two girls both nodded as Nanana stood up, opening the door.
As the group stepped inside, Keel and Rifana both gazed ahead in disbelief, seeing Raphtalia sitting on a sofa playing with a large orange ball.
Noticing she was not paying attention, Nanana called out to her. "Raphtalia! We got some special guests!"
"Huh?" the girl mumbled before looking up. Her entire body froze and her eyes widened, the ball dropping from her grasp as she could not believe what she saw. "… K – Keel…? R – Rifana… Chan…?"
"Raph!" Keel called out before letting go of Diablo's hand and running forward.
"Raph… talia…?" Rifana mouthed aloud in shock.
"Rifana-Chan! Keel!" Raphtalia exclaimed before jumping down from the sofa and running towards the two, all three coming together in a large hug, tears of joy falling from their eyes.
Diablo and Nanana watched the spectacle with matching, silent smiles as the three girls held each other tightly.
His fingers clenching, Diablo assured, '… That bastard will live in eternal hell for what he did to them.'
'Good,' she responded bluntly.
'On a completely unrelated note, I am heading for Nazarick.'
'Would you mind some company?'
Glancing at Alicia, he explained, 'I'm already going to have some.'
Nanana nodded in understanding, looking at the girls. 'Right. I'll look after the little ones then. Maybe give them some pudding. Later you can explain what the hell she's thinking.'
'Ri –' he began to say before he was suddenly tackled with a hug.
"Diablo!" Shera exclaimed as she jumped from the balcony down to him, still wearing her pajamas of a loose-fitting green tank top and white shorts that barely existed.
He blinked in thought as he managed to keep himself stable. "Hmm? Shera?"
"You were gone so long!"
"I was not even gone an entire day," he remarked dryly.
"But it felt so long!" she cried.
Sighing, he gently rubbed her head. "Alright, alright."
Rem's eyebrows twitched as she watched the two.
Barely managing to pry her off himself, Diablo set Shera on her feet. "Now, I have another trip to make, and I can't be certain how long it will take. So be good while I am away."
"Okay!" she answered with a salute and a smile.
Raphtalia's ears dropped somberly. "You're leaving again…?"
He nodded before kneeling down and gently putting a hand on her head. "I am. But I shall return, I assure you. Until then, why not play with your friends and show them around?"
She wiped tears from her eyes and nodded with a smile. "Okay!"
Nanana interjected, "But first you need to go back to bed."
"Aw…"
"Do you want me to take your ball?"
"N – No Mama!" she answered frantically before bolting up the stairs, Keel and Rifana following soon after.
Nanana watched them leave, taken aback.
After a few moments of silence, Diablo coughed into his hand. "… A – Anyway… Alicia, I assume you plan to keep following me, even when I head elsewhere?"
She glanced at Nanana as Shera and the others returned to bed.
"She is one of my allies from before I was summoned to this world."
"I see. Then yes," Alicia answered plainly.
"Then I expect you to keep what you see and what you learn in our next destination secret." Narrowing his eyes, he extended a hand out towards her. "If you do not, I will silence you. Understood?"
Her expression remained unchanged, but he did notice a single bead of sweat fall down her cheek. "Understood."
"The place we will be heading is the Great Tomb of the Nazarick, Nanana and my home base. You are to do exactly as I say within its walls, or risk my servants killing you. Understood?"
"Yes."
"Good. I trust you and Narmaya can handle matters here?"
Nanana nodded with a smile. "'Course."
"Good. Let's head out then."
Nanana waved as Diablo and Alicia left the shop once more.
As they walked, Diablo put a hand on his chin in consideration.
"Yes?" Alicia spoke up, hoping to probe his thoughts.
"Nothing. Just thinking."
"I see. Do you think we should handle the elves before heading to your base?"
He shook his head in denial. "It will not take long. Besides I need to make arrangements there before… Dealing with the Greenwood Ponce."
"I understand. Do you still plan to make a stop by Carne Village?"
"Not until I've dealt with Keera. After that and the foolish governor makes his final error then I will head to Carne. Maybe bring my daughters and Nanana along."
"I see." Blinking momentarily, she tilted her head in slight confusion.
"Alright, this should be far enough from the city. Satan!"
After a moment, Satan appeared from a magic circle in front of the two. "You called, My Lord?"
"It's time. I'd like you to take me to Nazarick's new location."
"At once." She nodded in understanding before turning her attention to Alicia. "And the human?"
"She comes too," he answered, only for her to begin to speak, Diablo cutting her off. "As a guest. She does anything I deem disrespectful or antagonistic to Nazarick and I'll rip out her soul myself."
"As you wish. Is it safe for her to know the way to Nazarick?"
"Yes. If anyone finds it we will know who to blame."
"Very well."
He then turned his attention to the girl with a stern gaze. "I hope you understand Alicia. If anyone finds where Nazarick is, I will know it was you who shared that information. I don't care if the governor or the emperor himself demands to know. You tell them and your life is forfeit."
Alicia trembled slightly, Diablo assumed in fear. "U – Understood."
He smiled with a soft smile. "I am glad you do."
"Let's proceed," Satan urged as the three headed off.
With the moon still high in the sky, Satan led the two down a dirt road for quite some time. As they walked, Alicia recognized a series of tall, spike-like mountains in the distance. "Hm? Those mountains, the border of Zephyros."
Looking them over, Diablo nodded to himself. "Good to know."
"So Nazarick is on the border?"
"Yes," Satan answered. "Not of that nation however."
Alicia furrowed her brow in confusion. "Then what are we doing here?"
Diablo realized what was going on and decided to stop the situation from getting more off track. "Satan."
The redhead did not answer and merely kept her attention forward.
Narrowing his eyes, he ordered coldly, "Satan. Answer. You're taking us on a circuitous path, are you not?"
Wincing, she stopped suddenly and nodded slowly. "… Well… yes…"
Sighing, he argued, "I appreciate the sentiment of wanting to keep Nazarick's location secret, but we have neither the time nor the need for this. Just take us on the fastest, most direct route. Now."
"… Understood…" she answered, looking back at him unsurely.
"I already told you. Should the information of Nazarick's location get out to anyone via Alicia she will be punished for it. In the strictest way possible."
"… Very well…"
Nanana yawned as the sun began to peek over the horizon and attempted to sit up to draw the curtains, only to realize Keel, Rifana, and Raphtalia were all three cuddled around her.
Smiling, she shook the girls gently. "Come on girls, time to get up."
Keel just mumbled incoherent nonsense in her sleep while Rifana's tail coiled itself around Nanana's arm.
Sighing, she decided to play dirty. "If you don't get up, we can't eat breakfast."
The three swiftly woke up, managing to drag themselves out of the bed and stand in front of the purple-haired girl.
"Good girls. Now, let's go get ready for breakfast."
"Right…!" they cheered, still half-asleep.
Downstairs, Nanana saw Wiz reading through a book on the sofa. "Wiz? What are you doing up this early?"
"Huh?" Wiz hummed before turning to her with a smile. "Liches don't need to sleep."
"Oh. Right. Forgot about that. What are you reading?"
"I'm just refreshing my memory on my father's notes about magic."
"Ah. I'm making breakfast, want something?"
"No thank you," she answered somewhat mindlessly as she read the notebook.
"You sure?" she asked, somewhat surprised.
At that moment, Narmaya walked into the room in a nightgown, yawning.
"Morning Narmaya, want any breakfast?"
She nodded sleepily with a smile. "Certainly."
"Right." Smiling weakly to herself, she thought, 'If Momo saw Narmaya like this he'd probably faint…'
"Achoo!" Diablo sneezed hard, sending a gust of icy wind ahead of him.
"Lord Diablo?" Satan asked as the three of them walked.
"I'm fine…"
"Can Demon Lords even get sick?" Alicia wondered aloud.
"No idea…"
"No!" Megumin exclaimed as she ran out of the back carrying her staff desperately, Rem chasing after her.
"I just want to see how it works," the cat-eared girl argued.
Pointing at her with indignation, Megumin retorted, "You want to take it apart!"
"… And? I'd put it back together."
"Even still! I don't want you damaging it!"
Sighing, Nanana interrupted their shouting match. "Come on, don't you think it's a bit too early in the morning for all this? I haven't even made breakfast yet. Besides, Rem, what do you hope to gain by taking apart her staff?"
She winced as her tail stood on end.
"It's because the orb floating in it is shiny, isn't it?"
Her ears folded back as she swiftly gained a great interest in the floor. "… N – No…"
"Which means yes. Where's everyone else?"
Relieved at the change in subject, Rem answered, "The stupid elf is still asleep, and Darkness is out back swinging her sword around. Fikuma and her friends are watching her. Lilietta is upstairs."
"Right. Well go set the table while I get breakfast ready then."
Rem nodded and went for the long table in the kitchen.
As she started getting the tools and ingredients out, Nanana noticed Keel, carrying Rifana on her back, chasing Raptalia around the living room, all three laughing.
"Hurry, hurry!" Rifana cheered. "She's going to get away!"
"No one escapes the tickle monster!" Keel shouted, Raphtalia ducking under the coffee table.
Nanana smiled warmly as she watched the girls play. She was, however, distracted when she heard a large crash against the back of the building. Rushing out the back door, she looked around until she saw Fikuma embedded in the wall. "… Huh? Why are you in the wall?"
Fikuma weakly pointed ahead, where Darkness stood with a sword extended forward.
Nanana blinked in surprise and then nodded to herself. "Huh. She actually landed a pretty good blow. Good to see."
Fikuma weakly grumbled, "Can… someone… get me out of this wall…?"
Nanana proceeded to grab her by the wrist and yanked her straight out of the wall.
"… Ouch… Thanks…" she groaned as she stood up and rubbed her sore neck.
"Come on, I'm making breakfast, so get cleaned up," Nanana urged before heading back inside.
"Right…"
"Whoa…" Keel gasped as she sat at the table with the steaming hot food laid out in front of them.
"So much food…" Rifana awed with stars in her eyes.
Raphtalia nodded fervently. "Yeah! And they let us eat as much as we want!"
Keel practically drooled at that statement. "Seriously?! I'm gonna eat until I'm the size of a horse!"
Nanana just smiled pleasantly while Narmaya cautioned, "Don't eat too much too fast or you'll get a stomachache."
Keel basically ignored her as she tore into a large roll of sausage.
Nanana shrugged and rebuffed, "I think it's okay to let them overeat just this once."
"Goob mornin…" Shera mumbled incoherently as she walked into the kitchen with a yawn.
"Morning Shera."
"Finally decided to get up, huh?" Rem chided.
Shera pulled out a seat and sat down next to Rem, only to almost immediately drift back off to sleep.
Rem twitched an eyebrow as she pushed the elf off as she leaned to the side.
Nanana, however, knew exactly how to perk her up. "Guess Rem gets Shera's share."
Her ears twitched and sat almost completely straight up as her entire body stiffened. "I – I'm awake!"
"Good to see you are. Alright, let's eat."
Keel slumped back in her chair with a hefty sigh. "Pah… so full…"
Rifana leaned over the edge of the table with a smile, her tail slowly swishing behind her.
Raphtalia smiled, her tail wagging happily, as she carried some of the dishes over to Nanana at the sink.
"After I get these dishes cleaned, we need to take your friends to get those collars removed; and get them new clothes."
She nodded with excitement. "Right!"
Keel and Rifana, roused by hearing that, however, looked at Nanana with apprehensive suspicion.
Seeing their expressions, she decided to assuage their worries. "Something wrong?"
Keel put a hand on the heavy metal collar around her neck and questioned unsurely, "We're… really going to get these things removed…?"
"Yes, really," she answered with a smile.
The two looked at each other with bright smiles.
Near the center of town, Nanana walked into the large ten with the girls in tow and saw the redheaded beauty standing near one of the crates. "Yo, Medios."
Looking up, the woman smirked as she saw Nanana. "Hoh? He send you for more?"
Shaking her head, Nanana stepped to the side and motioned to the anxious Rifana and Keel behind her. "No, some more to get their collars removed."
Medios raised an eyebrow in mild surprise before frowning slightly. "… Where does he keep finding so many cute slaves?"
"Medios…" Nanana growled quietly.
She laughed weakly and put up her hands submissively. "Sorry, sorry. It's my job, so I'm always thinking about it."
"Just get these things off them."
"Right, right. This way."
Inside the smaller tent at the center of the market, Medios prepared the tools to overwrite and remove slave collars before turning to Nanana. "So who's first?"
After a few seconds of silence, Keel gulped and stepped forward. "I – I'll go first."
Nodding, Medios pulled up a small chair. "Just sit here and I'll get started. Just so you know, it's going to hurt a little."
"I – I can take it," she grimaced, her small hands trembling.
"Such a brave girl." Pulling the front of Keel's simple shirt down, Medios made a few strokes and motions, causing the ornate seal to appear on her chest. Tracing a few more shapes and patterns, the ink she had placed began to disappear before the seal lit up and sparked violently.
Keel's entire body tensed and locked up as the seal sparked and flashed. However, she did her best to make as little noise and commotion as possible.
Nanana frowned in slight concern at this as the seal faded before the collar vanished in a flicker of light.
Sighing heavily, Keel hopped down from the chair and walked up to the worried Rifana. "See? It's not a big deal at all."
She blinked in realization before smiling as she understood what Keel was trying to do as Rifana made her way to the chair and underwent the same process, letting out a few whimpers and yelps as the seal disconnected itself from her soul.
Taking a breath, Rifana got down from the chair and patted her neck as if not realizing it was real, Keel hopping up and down nearby in excitement. "It's really gone…"
Handing the payment over to Medios, Nanana nodded and addressed the girls. "Yep. Now, let's go and get you some new clothes to wear."
"Right!" Keel answered with a fist pump.
Soon the four arrived at the clothing shop where the owner, a woman with light tan hair and pale green eyes, wearing a plain pink top with a light brown apron, and simple brown boots, greeted them. "Welcome to the Tailored – ah, Miss Nanana! And you brought the adorable Raphtalia with you too!"
Nanana waved with a smile. "Hey Casla."
She waved with a smile as she looked at Raphtalia before seeing Rifana and Keel, her eyes practically sparkling. "Even more cuties!" she exclaimed with worryingly heavy breathing.
Putting her hands in front of the girls at Casla's rather rabid behavior, Nanana warned, "If you get any closer I'm going to call the authorities or use pepper spray."
Shaking out of her trance somewhat, Casla tilted her head in confusion. "Pepper spray?"
Sighing, Nanana waved away the matter. "Forget it. I need some clothes for these two. I'd like you to find or make stuff that fits. Without being creepy."
Casla gave an enthusiastic thumbs up. "Got it!" Picking up a long piece of string with increments marked on it, she explained, "I'll just need their measurements first."
Nanana handed her a piece of paper. "I took them for you already this morning. They might not be as exact as you usually do, but they should be good enough.
Nodding, Casla accepted the paper with a pout. "Okay…"
Not long after, both Rifana and Keel had new clothing they were trying on in front of a large mirror.
Rifana smiled at the sight of herself in the simple white dress, the red sleeves accenting the color.
Keel, however, was less comfortable in the tan shirt and knee-length blue skirt.
Nanana nodded in approval. "You two look really nice."
"This is… a bit weird… do you have anything else…?" Keel asked awkwardly.
"What's wrong?" Casla questioned, curious.
Raphtalia explained, "Back home, Keel always wore boys' clothes."
Keel's face turned slightly red at the blunt proclamation as she argued, "It's because they're easier to move in than these skirts and stuff."
The tailor nodded in understanding. "I have some pants you can try instead."
"Th – Thanks…"
Keel smiled as she hopped where she stood, now wearing a plain green top and blue shorts.
"And all together… one hundred seventy-four Vals," Casla declared as she looked over the tags.
Nanana nodded and put several gold and silver coins on the desk, Casla handing her back the difference. "Thanks."
"So where's the man himself?" Casla questioned, looking around.
"Off taking care of some business," Nanana answered rather vaguely.
"Ah. Well be sure to come back when you want clothes for anymore little cuties."
"Sure…" Nanana answered with a sideways glance before turning to the girls. "Alright, let's head back."
"'Kay!" Raphtalia and Keel cheered.
Keel ran around the back yard kicking the orange ball around, Raphtalia chasing after her to try and catch it. Keel stopped and turned, kicking the ball through the air to Rifana, who managed to catch it and began running with it, Raphtalia turning instantly and giving chase.
Narmaya watched the three play while drinking warm tea with Nanana. After taking a sip, her expression hardened. "How anyone could something so horrible to innocents like them bothers me to my core."
Nodding firmly, Nanana retorted. "Well Momo will be dealing with him thoroughly, I assure you. So relax in knowing that scum is in hell where he belongs."
"Right." Deciding to change to a less somber subject, Narmaya questioned, "So, when shall we start training them?"
Folding her arms, Nanana answered, "Tomorrow I think. They deserve a day just to have fun with each other. After all, children deserve this."
"Very well."
At that moment, the two noticed Wiz walking up to the building carrying a large wooden box. "What's in the box, Wiz?"
"Huh? Oh, a bunch of crystals my mother used to train in magic."
"Neat."
The conversation was abruptly interrupted as Rifana went to kick the ball and tripped, landing on her knee.
"Rifana!" Nanana shouted and ran up to her. "Are you okay?"
"Y – Yeah… I'm okay…" she muttered as she stood up with a slightly scraped knee.
"Okay… if you're sure. Let's get you inside and get that dressed before you keep going, okay?"
"Right…"
Diablo and the others arrive in a large, open field with several mounds of various sizes, in the center of it was a series of large hills. As they approached, he recognized a familiar mausoleum poking up out of the ground. "I see it's no longer in swampland."
"Correct," Satan retorted.
"And covered with dirt to help camouflage it better."
"That was Lady Sinoula's idea. Mare handled the actual movement of dirt."
"Good to hear. I'd have given the same order."
"Shall we?" she urged as they approached the structure.
Diablo nodded in affirmation as Alicia followed behind him. "Yes. Once I step inside I should be able to teleport directly to the throne room. Then you may return to your kittens."
Satan's face lit up with a smile as she nodded. "Right!"
The three walked down a large ramp behind the stone pillars leading into the first area of the labyrinth. Upon entry, Diablo immediately felt a small rush of energy. "Good to be back…"
Satan immediately ran off deeper into the labyrinth as Diablo raised his hand, one of the rings on his right hand shimmering before he and Alicia both were in a different location.
Alicia froze in surprise and looked around at the vast hallway, before she looked ahead and saw the Pleiades, Diablo's battle maids.
Voulcosta, the head maid, bowed as soon as she saw him. "Welcome back Lord Momonga."
Alicia looked at him in mild confusion.
"My name is Diablo now," he corrected.
"As you command," she answered with a nod.
"Good." Stepping forward, he swung open the massive double doors. "Honey, I'm home!"
Alicia just stared in mild confusion and curiosity.
Almost instantly a blur of red shot out of the throne room and tackled Diablo with a hug, knocking him to the floor.
"Momonga!" Sinoula cried out desperately as she hugged Diablo close, rubbing her face on his chest.
"S – Sinoula…" he muttered as she gripped him like a vice.
"You're finally here…!" she exclaimed, practically crying at that point.
Alicia just watched the display silently, unsure how to process what she was seeing.
Voulcosta, however, smiled as she watched.
"It's been so long!" Sinoula cried out.
Sighing, Diablo patted her head gently. "I know…"
"I was so scared when it first happened!"
He blinked in slight confusion. "It?"
Looking up from her spot to see his face, she retorted, "Yes. Didn't the same thing happen to you?"
Before answering, he finally became conscious of her immense orbs pressing against his bare stomach. '… It's so much different when it's real…' Coughing into his hand lightly, he redirected, "… How about we get up first and then figure out what's going on?"
"Right…"
Shortly, Diablo and Sinoula sat at a large table next to each other, Voulcosta offering them both drinks as Alicia stood nearby.
Sinoula furrowed her brow in thought as she listened to Diablo explain what has been happening since he arrived. "Summoned? That's not what happened to me at all."
"Oh?"
"I was just sitting there with you and Tabula as the servers went down, and then I was actually there. Er, here, I mean."
"Odd… I was summoned by a Elf and Pantherian."
Sinoula frowned in mild disappointment. "… Were they female?"
He just raised an eyebrow curiously. "Yes? Although I don't see how that's relevant. And Nanana was brought here by a dumb goddess."
Sinoula blinked in surprise, frowning slightly.
"What?"
"So you met Nanana in person?"
"I did. She is very lively for a former ghost."
"She's not anymore?" Sinoula was thoroughly shocked by that revelation.
"Yes. Via said dumb goddess."
"Right…" she wondered as she put a hand on her chin.
"Yeah."
Sighing before smiling, she reiterated, "Anyway, it's good to see you again, Momon –"
Putting up a hand to stop her, he corrected, "I go by the name Diablo now."
"Oh. Got tired of being a flying squirrel?"
He just stared at her for several long, silent seconds.
"What?"
"N – Nothing…" he rebuffed before looking around. "Is Albedo still here?"
Nodding, Sinoula directed him back to the throne room and pointed to the large throne at the rear, with Albedo standing in elegant silence next to it.
"Good." As soon as he said that, however, he noticed Albedo trembling just slightly as she stood. "Albedo?"
"Y – Yes, Lord Mo – ahem, Lord Diablo?" she answered, coughing and correcting herself midsentence.
"Is something the matter?" he asked as he approached her, noticing the twitching get significantly worse.
"N – Not at all. I am merely excited for your return Lord Diablo."
He frowned as he saw her uncomfortable posture. "There is no need to lie."
Smiling, Sinoula gave a simple command. "I give you permission."
Before he had a chance to be confused, Albedo dove from where she stood and grabbed onto Diablo with almost as much as strength as Sinoula.
And there you have it! Chapter Twelve! Hopefully everyone enjoyed it, I know I sure enjoyed writing it. If you did, be sure to leave a review and let me know, I appreciate each one. If you were confused, unsure, or just have questions on anything, such as what series different characters are from, leave your queries as a review and I will do my best to address them in the next reviewer response. If you did not enjoy the chapter, review if you please, but do know if all you do is complain you will probably be ignored. Anyway, enough rambling, bye-bye!