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Demon Knight
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"Adell..."
He was perched on the summoning well. He looked up quickly when he heard me call his name, but his eyes softened when he saw my face.
"Adell. I suppose it is about time for me to leave."
It took him a moment to respond. "What? Are you serious?"
I sighed. "I feel grateful to you and your family, and I do not want to wear out my welcome."
His face was unreadable. "Oh. Well where... were you planning to go? Not back to the castle?"
"No, I do not think I could ever go back there, not now that I know the truth." I casually brushed my hair out of my eyes. "I thought I could convince Tink to let me stay with him for a while. After that, who knows."
He looked down. I could tell he was still surprised. But I did not want to tell him that I had been thinking about this for a while.
"Did you ever think about just staying here? You seriously think my parents wouldn't let you stay here as long as you wanted? Besides, I'm sure there might be a house on the market here soon, now that everyone's used to being back to normal."
I paused. I did not want to make it too hard on him. "Well, it is not exactly the most upscale town in the world. I must find a more fitting home for a demon lord such as myself."
"That never bothered you before."
"Of course it bothered me! But I have learned, among other things, that it would not be polite to tell the people one is staying with that their doghouse demeans one such as myself."
"Well excuse me Princess, I guess if we're not good enough for you, you should go ahead and leave"
He stood up, his face exposing his anger and hurt. I was supposed to stomp off angrily, with another snotty remark. I twirled around, but before I could lift a haughty heel, he caught my arm.
"Is this really what you want? Because, Rozy, after all we've been through...
I thought maybe you'd stay here
with me."
"Adell... I..."
To stay here... Like I really cared about getting back to some secluded royal life. I should be figuring out my powers, and what it really means to be an Overlord. I suppose I just kind of assumed that I should take over as Overlord. I was raised by an Overlord, and I helped defeat one, and I am basically an Overlord reincarnated. I am stronger than anyone else in Veldime. Except maybe him. So should I not take over? Do I not have that right?
What does it mean to be an overlord? A good one, that is? I've read about leadership. Noun. 1. The process of leading. 2. Those entities that perform one or more acts of leading. The ability of an individual to influence, motivate, and enable others to contribute toward the effectiveness and success of the organizations of which they are members.
But there is more to a leader than the definition. There is kindness. Strength. Knowledge. Being a leader means your people, your subjects must respect you. Be willing to follow you. Love you, even.
But do demons and humans really need leadership? Overlords are different from other leaders. They do not have regular armies on call, besides their vassals. They are like royalty, who may behave however they like, whether that means helping, hurting, or ignoring their subjects .How did Zenon do it? Or Laharl? One of them was an impostor, the other eats pudding, tosses Prinnies, and plays video games all day. Not exactly the best examples. Perhaps Overlords do not need special qualifications or certifications. But then, what are they good for? Can Overlords do more for their demons? Do they ever help save the world? Because then, there's him...
"...want to learn from you."
"What?"
"I want to learn how to be a good Overlord. And I think you are, actually, a great leader. You keep all your foolish promises, no matter what. You are cavalier, and honorable. Your family adores you. They would follow you anywhere, just like all the other demons we leveled with. Because you helped every human here, they'd follow you. But, then again, it is not just because of that. And I... as odd as this sounds, I would follow you, too."
"So... this means, you've changed your mind? You'll stay?"
"For educational purposes only. Now, I can't have people thinking we're friends or anything like that, so we can either say that you have kidnapped me and blackmailed me into staying, or that I am training you, my new vassal, and I have commandeered your humble dwelling for Overlord purposes."
He smiled and crossed his arms. "Uh-uh, no way. There's no way I'll take a 'Vassal' title after having saved all the humans in Veldime! Besides, you've already got Taro as your vassal. You'll have to come up with a better plan."
"Hmph. After lowering myself and agreeing to stay here, you prove how ungrateful you are! My vassal cannot be so disrespectful. Fine... Let me think..."
"I have an idea..."
"Yes?"
"You said we can't have people thinking we're friends or anything like that."
"Yes?"
"Well, why can't we?"
"Obviously. Overlords do not have 'friends.'" I scowled.
"Really? Laharl has Flonne and... well, Etna doesn't really count, but still. Zenon had you, kind of. Ah, what I mean to say is, my whole family are kind of like your friends, right? You helped protect them too, you know. And that makes us all, well, friends."
"So you would honestly be happy with the title 'Friend of Overlord Rozalin?'"
"Well, who says you're the only one in Veldime qualified to be an Overlord anyway?"
"Oh please, I am the only one with such a noble bearing. And, my dear Adell, I was the one who defeated Zenon."
"Oh is that right? I thought it was a team effort."
"Well... Yes, but..."
"Okay then. Now how about this for my new title: 'Adell, Defeater of Overlords and Defender of Veldime.'"
"Well, what about me? 'Kind of Overlord Rozalin' doesn't quite compare to your extravagant title."
"Hmm... How about 'Prism Ranger Pink?'"
"Do you think that sounds scary enough?"
"Definitely," he said with an easy grin.
"No way. They offended me by not making me an honorary member. I do not wish to be a silly Prism Ranger." I scoffed. "They don't even have a full rainbow."
"'Destroyer of the No-Good Sort of Prism Rangers for Not Letting Rozalin Become an Honorary Member?'"
"I do not think so. It would be too long to sign. Wait, are you teasing me?" I rounded on him.
sweatdrop "No, of course not, I'd never dream of it, Your Highness!"
"Wait! That's it! 'Your Highness!' It is the epitome of what I want in a title! It's elegant, charming, and demands respect! It's perfect!"
I jumped up and hugged him, forgetting my proper place for a moment.
"I like it. I think it suits you.
...but I'm just happy you're staying."
He returned my hug with a strong-armed embrace. warm happy shinies It was like a Prinny exploding in my stomach. I felt all tingly, and I knew he meant what he had said before.
I knew I had made the right decision.
"So am I," I said softly.
