Finally another chapter. I wanted to take this time to make one thing clear. I realised I made A LOT OF mistakes in my previous chapters. I skipped words a lot of times. A character said "you should do this" but I actually wanted him to say "you should not do this". I always check it before posting but it seems I haven't checked well enough. If anyone finds a part that looks strange and you fail to understand it, just give me a heads up and I will correct it. And I know it's supposed to be my responsibility, I'm just saying in case I fail(yet again) to find some mistakes.

Also, I said before that I would consider if I should make Alicia a better person or just leave her corrupted. *SPOILERS* I went with the former, I'm just afraid I made Diablo too...nice. I mean, even comparing with the other chapters.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

Chapter 9 - Alicia

"Oh my, Diablo-sama. What a pleasant surprise. I didn't knew that you were here, in the Capital. You could've warned me and I would have gone to welcome you at the entrance gate."

"No, I'm not looking for hospitality. My stay in this city will be, hopefully, short. I have some 'errands' here, one of them is with you by the way."

"Oh, is that so? Then, please let me guide you by all means. I know of a fitting inn for a short but comfortable stay. Where we can have a private talk."

"...Right. Then, lead the way."

"Certainly."

As soon as Diablo got in the Capital, he met Alicia by accident when walking on the streets. She greeted him right away, in her 'knight persona', the one that hides her insanity. After that short exchange with Diablo, she quietly lead the way to the inn. She took care of the check-in and accompanied Diablo to his room. Then, her 'mask' fell, she kneeled herself right away and showed a happy, but a bit maniac, smile.

"I'm sorry I took so long to show you respect Diablo-sama. But in the streets I'm a well-known knight, if I showed this display to other people, someone might get suspicious."

"I don't mind. Right now there are more important matters at hand."

"Certainly. I've not neglected my work as Diablo-sama's spy. I have been diligently collecting information and spreading rumours for the time when Diablo-sama finally takes over this country."

"...Wait. Alicia, we were gonna destroy the corruption in this kingdom, right?"

"But of course, Diablo-sama."

"Then, why are you talking about me taking over the kingdom?"

"I just realised, in order for this country to finally get rid of it's 'evil' roots, it needs a new king. Diablo-sama, I believe this king is you."

"Wait! How did it come to this?!"

"Diablo-sama recently became the king of the elven kingdom, right? It was because they decided that no one was more suitable than Diablo-sama, wasn't it? Even going as far as disregarding the fact that Diablo-sama is not an elf. That's how much they recognized Diablo-sama, isn't it?"

"..Well...It's true but…."

"I agree as well. I have also heard the rumours about Diablo-sama defeating the Great Demon King Modinalaam and saving Faltra City, that all saw as a hopeless battle. If it's Diablo-sama, I'm sure you would become the greatest king that ever existed!"

"...That's.."

(No, no. No matter how I look at it, it's impossible for me to run a country. Even if I'm the elven king, it's pretty much only in name, I left all the paperwork to Durango.)

Durango: an Orc-like elf, with an important position in the elven country, that almost got married to Shera due to her mother's persistence. He behaved like a son of a bitc-, but turns out it was all an act. He was acting like a bastard to null his engagement with Shera since he actually likes small breasts. He kinda swore his loyalty to Diablo since DIablo said that each man has his own 'taste' and that he would not discriminate him for it.

(Rather, why are we even discussing this?! I didn't came here for this! Focus me!)

"Leave that for later. As we are right now, whatever I take over the country or not, it's not something that will be decided like this. I came here to talk about something else with you."

"...I understand. My apologies for bothering you with something so abstract."

"...Look, we will destroy the corruption but not today. Don't rush it, it will only cause more problems that we don't need."

"...Yes, I'm sorry. I have lost my composure. That was unsightly of me."

"Well, let's not take more time than we have to. I will now explain why I sought you out."

"Yes, I'm all ears, Diablo-sama."

Maybe I should've named this fanfic "How not to summon explanations"

"I see. As expected of Diablo-sama! Building your manpower, no, womanpower. Like this, we may be able to bring this entire country down! With so many powerful and influential figures acting under Diablo-sama, it's definitely not a dream!"

"..."

(No matter how many times I correct her, it always comes back to 'destroying the country', huh? But as someone who also had no place to belong to, I can't give up on her!)

"While it also boosts my…'womanpower', it's not the main purpose of the ritual."

"It strengthens our allies and creates a connection, right? And Diablo-sama wants me to take part?"

"That's why I came here."

Alicia got down to one knee on the wooden floor again and lowered her head, almost like she was pledging herself again.

"Of course you can count on me. I swore I would offer my life for Diablo-sama after all."

(Will it be like Edelgard? No, Edelgard at least was more...peaceful. Alicia is more destructive, hence, I have to choose my words more carefully. I have to speak from heart-to-heart, as someone who shared the same pain of not belonging anywhere.)

"...I already told Edelgard, but what I want right now is not your loyalty, but your will."

"Edelgard-sama too?"

(Looks like using Edelgard's name works just fine. They really showed their friendship before too. Even risking their lives for each other.)

"Bu-but! Even if Edelgard-sama did it, it's impossible for me!"

"Im-impossible?"

"I mean, Edelgard-sama is strong and beautiful, while I have nothing!"

"Wait, aren't you exager-"

"Aside from my loyalty, what else do I have?! My will...it never received importance, not even once in my entire life! It's already irrelevant at this point, isn't it?! If even my loyalty is rejected then...why am I even here?"

Alicia said everything with a strong tone, almost to the point of screaming. The last sentence though, was said in a weak tone, with tears coming out of her eyes.

"Alicia..."

"Maybe it really would be better if I just-"

"Alicia!"

Diablo suddenly screamed her name while grabbing her shoulders. The sudden action clearly startled her. It was the most serious face Diablo ever showed her, at least outside of battles.

"I already told you, there's no point in drowning in self-depreciation. Nothing will come out of it. You have to take action, without losing yourself in revenge and involving unrelated people. For that sake, you need a strong will. You need to act with what you desire in mind, being loyal and depending on someone are two different things."

"..!"

"You and your loyalty have been a great help until now, but right now, at this moment, what I desire is your will. If you are going to accept, let it be your will, otherwise, there's no meaning."

"...even if it never received any value?"

"It's because I value it that I'm asking you. If you swore your life to me, then you should already know. It doesn't matter what anyone else says, so long as I say there's value to your will, that's all that matters.!"

"...!"

"Befriending Edelgard was your will, wasn't it? Becoming friends with one of the Fallen, that everybody fears, even to the point of risking your own life for her."

"...yes."

"Then, what are you hesitating about?"

"...Diablo-sama, will you find a place where I can belong to?"

"Find a place? That's impossible."

"!"

"I don't need to bother looking for someone place that I already found."

"...Eh?"

"Weren't you happy back at Faltra City? With Edelgard, Rem and Shera."

"Eh? Well, yes but..."

"That's it. Your place is with them...no, with us."

"!"

Alicia has been receiving one shock after the other during this conversation. For her, who was always treated as a tool, to suddenly receive such emotions, it was too conflicting. Alicia could feel something growing inside herself, she just lacked the experience to understand what it was. It was different from her burning passion for destruction, it was more tender and warm, rather than hot. But a small hesitation remained inside her.

"...Diablo-sama, can I ask you one last thing?"

"Go ahead."

"Even if I don't have anything to offer, even if I'm tainted with madness like this, will you still accept all of me?"

"I will do like I did with all the others, I will accept all of you, regardless of your flaws or burdens, I will take all of it. I am the Demon King after all, your flaws are nothing I can't take."

"...Thank you."

Alicia just hung her head down, with tears falling from her eyes to the floor. Just, this time, they tears of happiness, rather than sadness. Her entire life, Alicia had to hide her emotions afraid of what would be done to her if she was found out. Now, someone offered his hand to her, even after seeing her 'true self', even after being betrayed.

"Then, may I hear your answer?"

"Of course it's yes."

Alicia showed the most beautiful smile Diablo ever saw her making, not like her mad smile. One that was so pure, it was difficult to believe that woman obsessed with killing the Races and the one standing before him were the same person.

(...One after the other, these girls keep surprising me with their smiles.)

Diablo heard before, a woman in love becomes more beautiful. For the past few days, Diablo has been experiencing this with all of his brides and brides-to-be. Their smiles looked so different, so radiant. If Diablo saw a couple walking like that on the streets...he just may end up murdering them. Before his thoughts took a dangerous turn, Diablo decided to focus on the matter at hand.

"Then, let's start."

"Yes..."

Alicia, who had zero experience with romance in general, just closed her eyes as if saying 'I will leave it to you, please be gentle'. Seeing this, Diablo was relieved, it didn't look like she was going to 'attack' like Lamnites or 'get carried away' like Rose did. Having a passive partner was better for him after all.

Diablo proceeded to kiss her, just a little slower than usual since Alicia was still affected by the sudden emotional surge. It was a very innocent kiss compared to the other times, while their mouths were open, there was no tongue action. It was, by far, the 'easiest' kiss Diablo ever had.

"Mmnn..."

While it was refreshing to kiss in such a simple way, Diablo thought it was a little lacking. With that, he realised he was getting used to kissing, as such, he was beginning to crave for more. Sensing the danger in his own thoughts, Diablo put an end to the kiss.

"Fuhhhh….."

Diablo took a deep breath and calmed himself down. Given how Alicia was, she would be fine with pushing her down or leaving it for later, so he was the one who made the choices right now. At first, Diablo would undoubtedly leave it for later, but after realising that a small part of him actually wanted to push her down, Diablo understood that his desires were growing with each passing day. Soon enough, he would be unable to keep himself in control. He needed to finish all the rituals so that he could finally let it all out.

"Are you okay, Alicia?"

"Yes, I actually feel better now. Both my body and my heart."

"...I see. That's good."

"I wanted to spend more time with Diablo-sama but… I'm supposed to make a report so..."

"It's fine. Just go-, no, actually, I have a letter for you, from Edelgard."

"From Edelgard-sama?"

"Yeah, I'm not sure what it's written on it though."

"I see...Thank you very much, Diablo-sama. Then, I have to get going but if you need anything, you can just ask me. I already instructed the servants in my house to guide you inside if you ever visited."

"I will be counting on you if the time ever comes."

Alicia made one final bow, before turning around and leaving the room. For second, Diablo though she was skipping happily, but….it must have been his imagination. Surely.