Finally it's Sylvie's turn. Just a little inconsequential something first, I'm not sure how many of you saw how Sylvie looks like in the manga and the novel but I really prefer her that way. It's not like she is completely different, actually, her hair is slightly 'longer' in the manga and novel. The anime made it shorter, I didn't like that very much.

Oh, also, her behaviour might seem a little... strange for people who didn't read the first parts of volume 10. I'm just saying, her being that"easy" is actually almost completely canon.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

Chapter 5 - Sylvie

"How rare of you to seek me out, Diablo-san! Did something happen? Or maybe you just wanted to chit chat a little?"

"No, it's not like anything happened (yet) but... it's not inconsequential talk either."

"Oh! ...Is it something serious?"

"Yeah. Quite serious and it concerns you as well, so take a seat, this may take a little while."

Diablo had called Sylvie to his house and asked his companions to leave the house for a few hours beforehand. They were now sitting in chairs, facing each other with only a small table in between them.

"...Could you elaborate?"

"Well, I will be frank. Sylvie, right now, I want you."

"...Eh?"

"No, actually, I meant to say I need you."

Sylvie's face became blank, her eyes turning into small dots. Then reality hit her like a car at full speed.

"Eeehh?! Wha-what are you saying Diablo-san?! Saying this kind of thing so suddenly... And you are already married to Shera-chan and Rem-san, aren't you? I find this kind of thing questionable also... we have our positions to consider too and our ages aren't really that close..."

(Eh? Somehow, she seems really shaken? I always saw her as one of the most mature 'adults' among my acquaintances. Is she weak to this kind of subject?)

Diablo failed to associate the calm and collected Sylvie with the 'little girl' fidgeting and touching both her index fingers together in front of him.

"I mean, it would be wrong, right...? Bu-but, if Diablo-san really wants it, then I guess... I would accept."

"...eh? So-sorry, I couldn't quite hear you, your voice was too low."

"Mou! Making a woman repeat herself after she gathered her courage! I said I... I said would accept it."

"Seriously?!"

"Wha-! And why are you so shocked, Diablo-san?! Even though you were the one who asked! I-it couldn't be! Was it... Was it all a joke...?"

"N-no! Of course not! I really mean it! It's just... you accepted so easily..."

(Kind of anti-climatic if you ask me. Even though I had prepared myself mentally and gathered my resolve... It feels like it was a waste now, even if it's convenient that it was so easy.)

"Were you thinking I would reject you with everything I have? *cheeks puffing* You really look down on me at times like these Diablo-san! Polygamy is not really allowed in this country and I still find this idea strange but... somehow, I just think that if it's Diablo-san there won't be any problems."

"...!"

"Even though you always act arrogant and a little rude, I really don't think you are a bad person Diablo-san. I mean, you already saved this city and its citizens so many times even without expecting any rewards. Me as well, I think that if you were to get married to more girls, it would work out with everybody happy at the end."

"!"

The last sentence sounded a little childish, something that Shera would say, however, Sylvie was saying it as an adult and not based on mere childish hopes. She really believed in him from the bottom of her heart, completely different from the time she almost fought against him to decide what would happen to Krem.

(Or rather, doesn't she trust me way too much...? I'm not close to her like I am with Rem and Shera but she still trusts me this much? No, it's not just trust, if she accepted my proposal out of her own will, when I haven't even explained the circumstances behind it... wouldn't that mean she l-likes me?! Not like Krem who still couldn't understand the meaning and Edelgard who only carried 'affection' but actual love?! No, that would be too convenient, right?!)

"...Somehow, you look surprised Diablo-san. Was it that shocking? I mean, isn't it the same with Shera-chan? A strong, handsome and tough, but still kind person appears to save me and the people around me... wouldn't that tickle a maiden's heart?"

(If I knew how a maiden's heart worked I wouldn't have become a NEET! And a Demon King wouldn't understand it too!)

"W-well, the-there's also what you did to me before, right? Y-you have to take proper responsibility, Diablo-san! It was the first time anyone did such a thing to me, you know!"

"Th-that was just...!"

Diablo couldn't bring himself to say 'I was just drunk and I can't remember anything at all!'. While he really couldn't remember what happened, he does understand that he pushed her down on the bed and stripped her naked but he doubts he did anything beyond that(*he did grope her and made her climax though*).

"That was just?"

"Kuh! Forget it! Right now, there's something else I have to talk about. It's also about the marriage, it's the main point in truth."

"Main point?"

"Yeah, you see..."

Finally, another explanation! bla bla bla

"...I...see. So that was it."

"Yes...sorry."

"Sorry?"

"We-well, you know, about..."

"It's okay."

"Huh?"

"Diablo-san, you were going to apologize because it looked like you were taking advantage of my feelings, right?"

"That is the case, isn't it?"

"Maybe just a little but... you said it yourself, didn't you? The ritual only works with people that are close so a certain extent, also, you said I'm the 5th one, right? That's fine with me. Judging by the way you spoke, there are still a lot of others wives-to-be right? If I'm 5th then I'm still closer to you than most of the other brides and you feel more comfortable with me, is that not the case? I know I can't be as close as Shera-chan, Rem-san or Krem-chan but I'm satisfied taking the position after them. Though when I think about it, maybe I will also have more chances from now on."

"I guess none of what you said is wrong but... What do you mean by that last part?"

"Oh yeah. I still haven't announced it yet but I will be retiring from my position as the Guildmaster soon. Emile will be taking my place, I have also already left portions of my work to him so he could get used to it."

"Retirement, huh? So you are saying you will join our group?"

"I mean, if I'm to be one your of your brides, that's a given right?"

"It's not I will force you to journey with us but... I guess that would reassuring. Maybe I should say, 'It will be good to have you on board, Sylvie'. ;)"

"..!"

"W-what?"

"It's just, smiling like that when I'm not used to it is cheating Diablo-san."

"Huh?"

Just as Rem and Edelgard's smiles were rare and left Diablo a little dazed, the same worked the other way around. Diablo too, almost never smiled in a way that was not cocky or 'evil'. His 'pure' happy smiles, combined with his avatar's handsome face, left quite an impression on the girls(*no, he didn't wink at her, I was just joking*). Sylvie was red all over. Seeing her all fidgety and blushing, she looked like a cute small animal. If he kept staring at her like this, Diablo would also become fidgety, so he decide to proceed with the ritual.

"Then, let's begin."

"Ye-yesh!"

Seeing her stuttering like that, Diablo thought it looked cute but decided not to call her out on it, since it would slow the flow.

Diablo stood from his seat and approached Sylvie's small frame. From Sylvie's perspective, Diablo's figure looked even bigger than he was normally since she was still sitting on her chair. It wasn't intimidating though, it was more like a big sturdy wall, one that saved her life and city so many times... With this mind, Sylvie's lips unconsciously formed a small smile. She put her hands together and closed her eyes, as if praying.

Every second felt like an hour but it his lips still came before she knew it. His lips were surprisingly soft for his sturdy body. Not only that, Sylvie small stature almost made a small jump since she was startled by Diablo's tongue finding its way inside her mouth. Though Sylvie was older than Diablo by some good **** years, he still had the experience from kissing different girls for the past few days. Diablo was, once again, in control of the situation. Since he started to hug Sylvie's back as well, for one moment, her dazed mind recovered some composure and she thought 'what if he took me right here, right now'. Unfortunately for her, Diablo suddenly stopped.

Sylvie opened her eyes in shock, the warm feeling from the kiss suddenly gone. All that was left was a single 'shiny' thread of saliva connecting their lips. Diablo was 'used' to it since it happened with all the other girls as well, so he wasn't surprised when the bridge of saliva parted and ran down their chins. Sylvie on the other hand, was surprised and wiped it off in a hurry with her wrist.

"Hah...hah...Phew! With this, it's done."

"...Hah...eh? Oh! Right! We-we are done right! Ahaha..."

"What's wrong?"

"No, it's nothing..."

Not only her head but even her ears were hung down. Sylvie was clearly disappointed that he choose that moment to stop.

(...Maybe I should start clarifying right from the get-go that I will not be taking their virginity during the ritual, from now on. It's troubling when it happens all the time after all.)

"...Diablo-san."

"What is it?"

"Not now, but... you will surely take responsibility someday, right? Not too long from now."

"...Yeah, I promise. I won't keep you waiting for too long."

"Hm. Okay then."

After listening to his promise, Sylvie smiled again, relieved.

"Oh, right. I have last things to ask of you Diablo-san."

"What is it? Since you agreed to go along with the ritual(and my selfishness) I will try to fulfill you wishes to the best of my ability."

"Thank you. It's really reassuring when you say that. Well, first one is about my retirement. Since I will also be one of your wives and part of your party... can I start living with you? I mean, since you have this house full of empty rooms...Ah, not now though. Only after I officially announce my retirement."

"...Of course. It's no problem at all."

"Thank you very much! Then the second one... This one is a little more troubling. Can I call you 'dear'?"

"What the?!"

"No, no, no! I mean! Only in private! Diablo-san said as well, that you are not planning on announcing your marriages in public since it will cause a big disturbance, and me too, I would be too embarrassed. But I wanted to at least call you that when it's just the two of us... Is it no good?"

"That's... It's not like it's no good. Well, nobody has ever called me that way before."

Sylvie was like an small adorable animal right now, different from before when she was fidgeting, now her slightly sad appearance too looked cute. Diablo was seeing many unexpected sides from Sylvie today.

"Haaahh..."

"?"

"It's fine I guess."

"! ...Thank you."

"I should be thanking you though. I really thought you would be opposed to this.

"...Diablo-san, you should believe in other and let them believe in you as well. I don't know who or how many brides you still intend to have but, I'm sure they all accept and believe in you. Just as I, just as we who already became yours, do."

"...I see... Thank you."

"You're welcome. Now then, I guess I should leave, huh? There's still work to be done until I retire and you look like you are in deep thought too, Diablo-san."

"My thanks."

Sylvie left leaving Diablo to his thoughts.

(Believe, huh? I guess my past as NEET is not something I can just forget. I still have trouble in accepting that others might not see me as a bad person. Maybe it's time I change my views... One step at a time though.)

With a new perspective, Diablo prepared for the next challenge.