As he let his body get pulled into a scenery he saw inside the void, he felt a force pushing him back. But rather than taking another step forward, Ludwig decided to stop and returned to reality.
Gone were the salty smell from the azure sea as well as the prickling sensation on his skin from the sun above. They were all replaced by a comfortable caress of the blowing breeze as well as the earth and woody smell from the trees around him.
In front of him, a small hut that showed a harmony between wood, bricks, and plants stood. From it, Ludwig could feel the same repulsion force that he felt a moment ago.
Seems like he finally made it. Ludwig smiled as he stepped closer to the hut. The wooden floor cracked as he reached the porch of the hut. Then, after pausing for a few moments, he knocked three times.
Right after, heavy thud could be heard from inside the hut. The door swung open seconds later. What entered his eyes next was a gigantic body with red fur all over it. Only when the creature took a few steps back that he could see its face.
"I see you have successfully created the anti-teleportation ward." Ludwig pulled his lips to the side, his tone teasing.
But rather than answering instantly, the minotaur just let out a heavy huff. "Why are you here?"
"Can't I just come here to see my friend?"
"Hah! I rather believe an imp who said they are not thieves!" The minotaur shot back.
"Chill my guy, chill!" Ludwig chuckled. But as if his smirk was nothing but an illusion, his voice dipped low. "I'm here to call the favour you still owe me."
"Favour?" The Minotaur moved its hands and crossed it in front of his stocky chest. "I owe you no favour right now. Our deal is that I will owe you one more favour if–"
"The demon king is dead, I know." Ludwig cut his words. "He's dead. He's been dead for like 5 hours now."
SIlence hung between the man and Minotaur for a heartbeat. Then, the crossed arms of the minotaur became limp and its mouth opened wide. Its eyes which held agitation and exasperation just a few moments ago were now as wide as a saucer.
"P-prove it…" The minotaur stuttered.
Expecting this development already, Ludwig moved his hand. Another hole appeared in the air, but this time, it kept stretching its edge even after reaching the size of a basketball. When some portion of the thing in Ludwig's hand entered reality, the air stirred. Heavy pressure pushed them down, as if the gravity had doubled. At the same time, he could see the living things behind him start to wither through his senses.
"ENOUGH! RETURN THAT THING TO WHEREVER YOU PULL THEM FROM, YOU CRAZY HUMAN!" The minotaur screamed, sending the hut shaking.
To be honest, without even the minotaur shout, Ludwig never had the intention to completely pull that thing into this world. The heart of the Demon King was a cataclysm-waiting-to-happen given form, so if he pulled it without even making any protective wards, anything that came in contact with its aura would surely die.
"Is it enough proof? Ludwig asked in a teasing tone as he closed the hole.
"Enough proof? I know just from its aura alone that it's the heart of that monster! Why did you bring it with you! You should've destroyed it!" The minotaur shouted sharply, Ludwig could even swear that the Minotaur in front of him was exuding some killing intent. If it's not for the friendship he had fostered with him, he would surely kill it out of reflex.
"Calm down, Greito. You know my ability. Nothing inside the space will affect reality." Ludwig said. "And for your question of why I didn't destroy it, It's because I will have to fight against those comrades of mine if I want to destroy it. They want it for themselves, you know. One on one against one of them? I'm sure I could win. But against all of them at the same time? Yeah no."
The minotaur, Greito scoffed as soon as he heard Ludwig's explanation. He then turned on his foot and continued. "You humans really. You lot should learn to keep your scrawny hands from dangerous things."
"I couldn't agree more." Ludwig chuckled as he walked into the house.
Once Ludwig crossed the door, his point of view widened. A familiar spacious living space showed itself in its glory. Sizeable sofas, fireplaces, big cabinets, and ginormous axes hung on top of the fireplace.
Yes, the inside of the house was far bigger than what it showed from the outside. It had all the spaces needed for a minotaur to live comfortably and more. However, it's not a feature that all houses in the continent had. After all, the only person who pulled this kind of stuff was Ludwig himself the last time he checked.
Greito plopped down to one of the sofas, hands moving towards the handle of a big wooden mug sitting on top of the table. Just before it touched his lips, he opened his mouth.
"So, what do you want me to build?"
Rather than answering quickly, Ludwig's head moved around as his eyes scanned the familiar interior of the house to try finding something new. Only after he found nothing out of the ordinary did he rest his body on the embrace of the sofa and gave his answer.
"A building and some appliances."
"A building and appliances? An easy request. Too easy coming from someone like you, to be honest." Greito hummed, eyes never leaving Ludwig. "What's the catch?"
Ludwig laughed at Greito's words, his crisp chuckle filled the room.
"You really know me well, aren't you?"
"How could I not when you always come here even when you are in the demon realm?" Greito sighed.
"You hurt me, Greito. I always think we are friends." Ludwig's voice took a fake and mocking tone.
"Enough of your theatrics and tell me. I have more important things to do." Greito huffed.
"Alright, alright!" Ludwig nodded his head like he's cooing a baby before continuing. "The location I choose for the building is on top of the highest peak of Ashfrost Mountain Range."
As soon as the name of the location dropped into the room, Greito stopped moving altogether. At the same time, his eyes opened wide for a split second before they narrowed into a slit.
Rather than being embarrassed by the apparent judgemental gaze and the silence, Ludwig just let his body sink deeper into the sofa. He then crossed his arms in front of his chest and smirked ever so slightly.
"You are truly one crazy human." Greito opened his mouth after sighing, probably realizing that Ludwig was not joking at all.
* * *
After doing some search across the Ashfrost Mountain range and a few teleports across the peak, Ludwig and Greito finally landed on a fairly flat ground he deemed good enough.
The flat ground was not big, probably only a building slightly bigger than the average barn could be built there. However, it was enough for Ludwig. He just needed a structure to be built there.
"This is probably the best place." Ludwig mused as his eyes moved around to see the sea of clouds drifting beneath them.
"Indeed." Greito nodded and walked to one side of the flat ground before looking at the cliff below. "I can make some support rod to make the building more secure. What do you think?"
"You are the professional here, I'll take whatever you suggest." Ludwig shrugged before he's back into cloud gazing. But at that moment, he finally remembered about one thing he had written in the book regarding the building.
Running a restaurant was not a one man job. Even with all of his space related ability, he couldn't just teleport into the customer with food in hand. It could surprise them, something simple which could make them reluctant to return to the restaurant. Therefore, he would need some employees to help him. One or two people to serve the food and drink to the customer as well as one or two people to help in washing the dishes.
Back before he got the rewards from slaying the Demon King, he already thought of providing accommodation for his employees. He also planned that all the employees should have a break one or two days a week. All in all, he was planning to treat his employees like in modern times.
Even after he decided to just open the restaurant for people from other worlds, he still felt the need to do so. The problem about his employees telling people about the restaurant should be non-existent since they would have to live in the restaurant. Even when they took some holiday or leave, the problem was still easily solvable through Blood Contract.
Because of that, he would need another floor. A floor for the employees as well as him to kick back and relax.
As he thought about the building, another thought came to visit him. One of the foods he could make was Smoked Brisket. It was a food that needed to be smoked in a smoker for a long time. However, looking at the small area around him, he couldn't find any place he could put his smoker on. Thus he decided to request for an additional floor.
"Hey Greito, I think one floor wouldn't be enough. Can the rod support a 3 story building?"
Greito, who appeared to be thinking about something, suddenly jolted awake and looked at Ludwig. His expression was as cold as the blowing wing, but his eyes were just like when he told him the location he wanted his building to be built at: judging.
"I should change the material then. But entertain me, why do you need a three story building for a house?"
Ludwig cocked his head to the side as he listened to Greito's words. It seemed like the guy was having some kind of misunderstanding. Even though he felt that making more misunderstandings would be fun, he decided to tell Greito everything.
"So, I'm sorry I haven't told you. I forgot." Ludwig started. "This building will not be my house. Well, one of the reasons I ask for more floor is because of that, but still, it will not be just my house. I want to open my restaurant here."
For the umpteenth time today, Greito froze. Looking at him, Ludwig felt that if he dropped another surprise into him—which he would soon—he would surely stop functioning altogether.
So, rather than waiting for him to digest the information he just dropped on to of his head and return to his senses again, Ludwig decided to tell him about the system function as well. If it's him, he could trust him with all his secrets. After all, even though he's a demon, his personality was purer than even those fanatics that screamed the name of gods on everything they did.
"Before you ask more, listen first. The reason I chose this location to open my restaurant is because I got a new ability after slaying the Demon King. The ability will help me to connect my restaurant to numerous worlds out there. That's why I don't need a crowded and bustling place to open my restaurant."
Ludwig looked at Greito. He still stood there like before, and he just let him be. The thing he just told him was heavy. If he was not someone who was reincarnated in this world and had the hero as his comrades for decades, he probably would also have hard times believing it too.
Second turned into minutes. And finally, Greito moved again. However, rather than bursting out like Ludwig expected, he just sighed.
"Let's go home first. I need a drink." He mumbled.
"Alright." Ludwig nodded. Rather than voicing his inner question about why Greito could easily accept his words, he just walked towards him and put his hands on his body. Then, the two of them disappeared from the mountain.
Once they popped back into the cozy living room, Ludwig snapped his fingers as his eyes looked towards the fireplace. In the meantime, Greito just walked into the kitchen and opened one of the cabinets above the counter.
"How is it? Can you do it?" Ludwig said as he took a mug and some roasted squid from his dimensional pocket and put it on the counter.
The question lingered for long as Greito took a bottle of brownish liquor and poured it towards his mug and Ludwig's mug. Only after he gulped down the second glass did he grace Ludwig with his answer.
"I can. However, you need to help in the process. Since the location will be in a cold place, I would have to make insulations between the walls to withstand the cold. If it's me alone, it will take around six to seven months to complete. We will also build everything here. We will just put everything together there. Oh! You will also have to provide me with the materials. I don't think I have enough woods for a building like that."
"Sure, not the hardest request I ever heard. Anything else?"
"Not now, I'll tell you once I need it." Greito said.
And just like that, the day passed. The next morning, Greito started working on the project. But not before sending Ludwig to fetch some materials he needed. Of course Ludwig also told Greito about the appliances he needed. Unfortunately, Greito told him that the appliances as well as the furniture he needed for the restaurant would only be ready one month after the building was finished. He also told Ludwig to find another smith to build him his chairs and tables for the customers.
If Ludwig said he's not disappointed after being told to find another smith for the chairs and tables he would be lying. After all, he needed them to be strong as he didn't know what kind of customers he would have. However, he still agreed to it.
Days changed into months, and a month quickly became three as Ludwig was drowned in the process of finishing the building of his first restaurant. Once all the needed structure for the building including the drainage, septic tank, as well as the base for the building to stand on was ready, Ludwig stored it all in his dimensional pocket and teleported with Greito back to the mountain.