Editor: Speedphoenix, Joker

  “Our preparations have been completed. The two of you may now return to our living quarters.” Lefi called for Nell and I through one of the portal-like doors placed all around the dungeon.

  “Took ‘em long enough. Alright Nell, time to go.”


  “Mhm. Seems like it.”


  I grabbed the cushions we had been sitting on and returned them to the pile situated in the room’s back corner. I then opened the door, waltzed right into the hallway, and began to advance. Ten-odd steps later, I found myself face to face with Lefi, who had her arms crossed and her face adorned with a dauntless smile.

  “You may only proceed if you close your eyes.”


  “I have to close my eyes?” I raised a brow. I was getting pretty curious.

  “Indeed. Now shut them immediately. I am speaking to the both of you.”


  “Alright,” I said.

  “Mmk,” said Nell.

  I followed her instructions and closed my eyes, only to find myself immediately greeted by a cool, comfortable sensation as her hands closed on my own. As I only felt one of her hands, I assumed that Nell had been subject to the exact same circumstances. She soon began to move, so I followed her lead while focusing on my feet and making sure I didn’t trip.

  “You may now open your eyes.”


  Following a prompt from the dragon girl, I opened my eyes. The first thing I saw was a literal mountain of food. The dishes laid out before me were so extravagant that a glance was enough for me to recognize that an incredible amount of time and effort had gone into each. My nose was just as attracted to the meal as my eyes were. Taking in the many delectable fragrances that had melded into the air was almost enough to make me drool.

  My gut seemed to want to tell me that Leila had been responsible for the meal, but a second glance immediately disqualified her as the chef. It simply wasn’t neat enough. That wasn’t to say that the dinner table had been turned into some sort of convoluted mess. In fact, it was quite the opposite. Whoever had arranged the dishes was very clearly taking the would-be consumer into consideration. But unlike Leila’s handiwork, it wasn’t perfect. And that was the giveaway.

  Leila possessed a deep understanding of the psyche. She knew exactly where she would need to place each and every dish such that your eyes would be drawn from one to the next without pause. The perfection with which she carried out her kitchen duties was akin to an artist’s signature, a signature that clearly seemed to be missing from the current setup.

  After giving dinner a once over, I looked at the people situated around the table. The three of us aside, everyone else was already seated. Even the wraith girls were present in spite of their inability to eat.

  “Wow. This looks great.”


  “Uhm… is this what I think it is?” asked Nell.

  “So you have noticed?” The dragon crossed her arms and grinned.

  I gave the table one last scrutinizing glance before turning back towards her. “Did you make all this, Lefi?”


  “While I did indeed accept assistance from the children, tonight’s meal is undoubtedly my work,” she said. “What are your impressions? I believe you will find it a far cry from the last meal I prepared you.”


  “Definitely. I’m impressed. Really impressed,” I said.

  The difference between the meal laid out before me and the last meal she had made me was as vast as the difference between night and day. Oh man, I remember those cookies. They were probably bad enough to kill. This though? This’ll kill for a whole different set of reasons. ‘Cause I’m about to gorge myself enough to catch type 2.

  Today’s Lefi brand meal was clearly the result of a near excessive amount of hard work. It was easy for me to imagine her doing her best and continuing to push her best efforts forward without letting her numerous failures get to her.

  “Wait. Was this the reason you chose not to come with me to the demon realm?”


  “Indeed,” she nodded,” it has been a year since our first encounter. I felt the need to put a foot forward for the sake of our anniversary.”


  Woah. The environment doesn’t really seem to change at all with the passing of the seasons, so I’d never actually realized, but now that I think about it, it really has been a whole year already. It’s been a year since Lefi and I met. And a year since I first came to this world.

  “I wished to demonstrate that I was capable of growth. I found this the perfect opportunity to put together a celebration,” she said. “As your wife, it is imperative that I endeavor to assist you with the housework to the best of my abili—”


  She didn’t get to finish speaking. I followed through on an impulse, picked her up, and started spinning her around before she could. I was simply too overcome with emotion not to.

  “Thanks Lefi. You’re the best wife ever, and I love you to bits.”


  “C-cease this immediately! We are before all the others!”


  She flushed a shade of red and even began hitting my arms to get me to release her, but I absolutely refused. Because I understood. It wasn’t that she wasn’t completely unpossessive. Or that she didn’t care. The Nell situation had bothered her, and she had been a bit anxious. She didn’t not love me. She was doing her best for me. She wanted to become the best wife she could because she wanted my attention. And that alone was enough to send me over the clouds.

  It was a silly, roundabout way for her to express her concerns. But one that was adorable nonetheless.

  It was just like her.

  Perfect.

  While she evidently remained a bit anxious, I knew there was no way I would ever lose sight of my affections for her. Because demon lords were incarnations of desire. Greed was a feature built into my system. Everything last bit of treasure that I got my hands on would forever remain a part of my trove. And nothing would ever be allowed to escape.

  “I-I understand your affections well, but you must release me! Our evening meal will lose its warmth should you continue!”


  “Good point. There’s no way I could possibly let the meal my adorably wifey put together for me go cold. That’d be a sin,” I said. “Alrighty then. I’ll save all the hugging and spinning for later.”


  “You need not continue,” she grumbled.

  The bashful manner in which she conducted herself only made me want to hug her all the more, but I didn’t want dinner to get cold, so I begrudgingly released her and began heading towards my seat. Likewise, Lefi began to do the same, only to come to a sudden halt when she realized that Nell had stopped following her.

  “Are you not joining us?” she asked.

  “Uhm… I think I’ll pass. I’d rather not get in the way of your first anniversary. It’d probably be best if I stayed at the inn until you guys are done celebrating,” she said, awkwardly.

  “I do not see your point. This banquet is one in which you are more than welcome to partake.”


  “R-Really?”


  Lefi reacted to the hero’s dumbfounded question was an exasperated sigh.

  “My original intent was certainly for this banquet to be dedicated to Yuki alone.” She rapped the back of one of her hands against my chest. “But that is no longer its sole purpose. It is also to serve as a celebration of your arrival, a so called welcome party, if you will.”


  The dragon’s tone was almost akin to that of someone speaking to a younger sibling.

  “Now come, join us.”


  “Yeah, come on. Hurry up and grab a seat already. Don’t make me wait any longer. ‘Cause I really can’t,” I said.

  “A-Alright,” stuttered the human.

  “You should sit with us, Nell!” said Illuna with a big smile.

  “Yeah, with us!” echoed Shii.

  “Sure! Thanks, girls,” said Nell.

  “Hey Nell, are you gonna be okay without a fork?” asked Lyuu.

  “I think I’ll be okay with chopsticks. I’m not really used to them just yet, but I’m sure I’ll get used to them if I use them enough. Thanks, Lyuu!”


  Wait a second… Wasn’t she supposed to be terrified of her?

  “When did you two suddenly start getting along?” I asked.

  “A good while ago, Master,” said the maid. “Nell’s a real nice girl, and she’s got this kinda sisterly feel to her, y’know? I just can’t not make sure she’s taken care of.”


  “That’s real rich coming from you, seeing as how you started shaking in your boots the moment you heard she was a hero.”


  “T-that’s just because I didn’t know her yet! But now I do. She’s real kind, so I ain’t scared of her one bit no more!”


  “T-thanks Lyuu! You’re really nice too,” replied Nell, a bit shyly.

  “Enough. I would be best for us to get to eating,” said Lefi. “Yuki, I shall allow you to do the honours.”


  “Huh? What? Why am I doing them?”


  “Are you not the man of the house?”


  “Riiiight, good point,” I said. “Well, uhhhh, alright. Everyone have their cups at the ready?”


  “We’ve all been ready, Yuki!” said Illuna.

  “Alright. Well, here’s to the first year of many to come. And to give a warm welcome to our newest resident. Cheers!”


  “Cheers!”


  And so, the banquet began. The cheerful, noisy atmosphere it carried lasted late into the night.

  Chapter 186 - What Kind of Teenager Doesn’t Think of Running Away From Home?: What Kind of Teenager Doesn’t Think of Running Away From Home?

  Editor: Speedphoenix

  The addition of a new resident had led to a dungeon-wide wave of excitement. As I didn’t want to spoil the mood, I waited until it receded before addressing the next issue on my agenda: Lyuu.

  “Hello, I’m looking for a Miss Lyuuine Gyroll?” I took on a formal tone as I called for her.

  “W-what is it, Master?” She stuttered. If the stark contrast between the professional front and my usual behaviour wasn’t enough to unnerve her, addressing her by her full name evidently was.

  I did as any traditional, high-class, Japanese official would do and placed myself onto a cushion with my legs under my rear.

  “Please, have a seat.” After taking my place, I gestured for her to do the same.

  She was too nervous not to comply. The wolf-girl timidly obeyed and sat across from me.

  “You see, Ms. Gyroll, there happens to be a particular issue I would like to address.”


  “A-and what would that be, Master?”


  “I suppose I might as well begin with a question of my own,” I said. “Are you hiding anything from me?”


  “H-hidin’ anything!? I’m sorry! I wasn’t tryin’ not to tell you! I just forgot! I’m real sorry about the plate! I didn’t think it was gonna brea—” She didn’t catch onto the fact that her words would reveal the truth until they had already left her mouth, but she tried to silence herself regardless by sealing her lips with her palms.

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  …Well then. I mean, that wasn’t exactly what I was looking to hear, but uh, good to know. I’mma probably have a word with Leila once we’re done here so I can make sure Lyuu gets the good old fashioned stern lecture she deserves.

  “This isn’t about the plates, Ms. Gyroll. I was speaking in reference to your family situation.”


  She finally seemed to have come to realize where I was about to take the conversation, as she reacted with an immediate, audible gulp.

  “You see, Ms. Gyroll, there have been a few unpleasant rumours flying around the dungeon about your origins. One of your coworkers recently filed a report and informed me that you happened to be a runaway.”


  “It was Leila, wasn’t it!? I bet it totally was!”


  “That is correct,” I said. “She explained that you were keeping it from me despite it being something you should have made me aware of.”


  “I uhm… I’m sorry, Master.” Nervous, cold sweat dripped down her brow as she apologized in a quiet voice.

  I started to feel just a tiny bit bad for her, so I sighed, shrugged, and dropped the formalities.

  “I mean, don’t get me wrong. I like having you around, and I’m glad you like it here. I just think you should probably let everyone else in your life know that you’re still alive and kicking, especially since they’ll probably find out you got kidnapped. I mean, you’re not the only one to blame. I really should’ve asked you, all of you, about this kinda stuff before you settled in.”


  Learning more about each resident’s past was one of the few things I had effectively soldered to the backburner. It was in part because I didn’t feel the need to know about their families and in part because it was a touchy subject. The former of my two excuses stemmed from the fact that I more or less saw the dungeon as one big family. I simply never felt the need to ask. On the other hand, the latter stemmed from Illuna’s situation; I had avoided bringing up any potentially touchy subjects in order to avoid digging up the various residents’ unpleasant memories.

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  My adventures in the demon realm had led me to learn a lot more about Leila. She had been captured whilst out on a journey. And while her situation was by no means a good one, it was still better than Lyuu’s. Her family had at least known that she was going to set out on a trip from which she may never return. Lyuu’s, on the other hand, was left in the dark. Unlike Leila’s family, they wouldn’t know where she was headed or what they needed to do to find her. They would be left in the dark until they uncovered the truth behind her kidnapping. Plus, we’ve already resolved the Leila situation since we met her sister in the demon realm.

  If I was Lyuu’s dad, I would’ve totally lost my sh*t. I know I’d do exactly that if Illuna ever went missing again. I’d definitely end bulldozing right through everything in my way until I finally found her. Lyuu’s status made the situation even worse. She was the daughter of her people’s leader.

  Their princess.

  I know you’re thinking that Lyuu can’t possibly be a princess because she’s too derpy. I totally get it. But if you think about it, it kinda makes sense. Like, what if she’s only a clumsy idiot because she’s always just had other people take care of her?

  There was no doubt that her father was searching for her. And that his men were doing the same. I knew that his mind would most likely turn to thoughts of vengeance the moment he learned of her kidnapping. And since she’s ended up as one of my maids, he’ll probably end up turning his ire on me. Greaaaaaaat. I mean, I can totally tell him that she literally asked for it, but I doubt he’ll believe me.

  “Uhmmm… I’m real sorry, Master…” She spoke in a hesitant, awkward tone. “Me and my dad, we never really saw eye to eye, so I don’t really wanna go home.”


  “Look…” I sighed. “You don’t have to stay, but I really think you should at least pay them a visit and tell all your friends and relatives that you’re still doing alright. I know you really don’t want to go, and that they’ll probably be against you leaving. So how about this? What if I come with you? If they start trying to force you to stay against your will, then I’ll step in and make sure you get right back to the dungeon. Even if I have to be a little… less than cordial.”


  “W-wow Master! You’d really do all that just for me!?” The eyes she turned upon me were like that of a lost puppy’s: teary, desperate for salvation, and full of hope.

  “Yeah, I would,” I laughed. “I’d definitely miss you. Things just wouldn’t be the same without you.”


  “W-wow. Thanks, Master,” She said, bashfully, “I never knew you thought that much of me.”


  “Why wouldn’t I? You’re the best comic relief there is.”


  “Comic relief!?”


  “Yeah. You are pretty much always the butt of the joke, after all. And that’s pretty much why the dungeon needs you, why I need you.”


  “What the heck, Master!? You’re terrible! You really need to stop makin’ fun of me! I’m not just here for comic relief!”


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  I couldn’t help but cackle as she lightly pounded me with her fists in protest.

  ***

  The original plan was for us to set out for Lyuu’s hometown the next day, but the warwolf in question had ended up refusing under the pretense that she still had a few things to think about before she was ready to leave. That was why I instead found myself out hunting with all five of my combat-capable pets in tow.

  “Hm…?” My eyes flickered to the dungeon’s map, which had suddenly popped open in the middle of the outing for the same reason as usual. Intruders.

  “Oh boy… here we go…”


  “What’s wrong, Yuki?” Nell, who had tagged along because she wanted to check out the forest, turned her eyes on me curiously.

  “Eh, nothing special. Just another group of intruders.”


  “Intruders? You mean someone’s invading the dungeon?”


  “Right. I just realized I never told you this, but I can basically tell whenever anyone steps into my territory. It’s just how the demon lord-dungeon relationship works.”


  “Oh… So does that mean you knew right away when I attacked too?”


  “Pretty much, yeah.”


  I opened up a second window and had it switch to the live footage I was getting from the Evil Eyes I had scattered all over my domain. Through it, I confirmed that, this time, the intruders weren’t humans or demons.

  They were beastkin.

  Warwolves.

  Just like Lyuu.