MC POV
—
Then…
Right now, we were relaxing in the garden surrounding the castle.
"Don't you want to try fighting as well, Grayfia?" (Arthur)
I asked Grayfia as she handed me a cup of coffee.
"No, Arthur-sama. I have already understood the gap by observing Alfia's battle with Shalltear-sama." (Grayfia)
Grayfia answered with her usual neutral expression.
"That's good, then." (Arthur)
I nodded while lifting the cup and taking a sip.
"By the way, how are the others doing, Kuro?" (Arthur)
I looked at Kuro, who was eating baby castella, and asked.
"Nom~ nom~ Ah… ahem… at the moment, Magnawell and Megiddo are still organizing their territories with their subordinates. As for Lillywood, she's accompanying Isis." (Kuro)
Kuro coughed lightly before answering.
"I see…" (Arthur)
Sigh… good thing I didn't choose to rule over a territory.
As I tried a chocolate-flavored baby castella, I noticed Kuro reading a copy of One Piece.
"Shalltear, the laser technique you used to attack Alfia earlier… wasn't that Kizaru's technique from One Piece?" (Kuro)
Kuro asked Shalltear curiously.
"Hehe~ you're right! I like it because it's cool and simple~" (Shalltear)
Shalltear scratched her cheek slightly as she explained with a small giggle.
"Well, you're not wrong. The power system in One Piece is indeed interesting." (Kuro)
Hmm… speaking of One Piece, maybe I could have my subordinates learn haki. After all, haki is quite useful. Besides, with the higher level of power my subordinates possess, their haki would surely become even stronger.
While thinking about that, I conjured several comics and light novels to give to Shalltear. I had already recreated many different series from my previous world. Once this world's civilization advanced further, I could hand over the issue of releasing all that entertainment to Shalltear. That way, I could simply receive my share of the profits.
"…Just how much more are you planning to bring here, Arthur-san?" (Shalltear)
Shalltear was stunned when she saw the pile of books in the yard, the amount easily enough to fill a large palace library.
"…I don't know… depends. If I feel like something's missing… I'll just add more~" (Arthur)
I scratched the back of my head with a wry smile.
"Sigh… so you're planning to leave all of this to me and just collect your portion without doing anything?" (Shalltear)
Shalltear asked irritably while rolling her eyes.
"It's not a problem, right?~ We both benefit~ And besides, this place will finally learn what true entertainment is. So it's a triple win, isn't it?~" (Arthur)
I explained exaggeratedly while laughing lightly.
"You have the nerve to say that when you're handing all the troublesome matters to me…" (Shalltear)
Shalltear glared at me sharply, a vein bulging on her forehead.
"Come on~ it's fine, Shalltear. You get to enjoy these books too thanks to Arthur-kun… don't be so upset~" (Kuro)
Seeing Shalltear annoyed, Kuro tried to calm her down.
"You're no different, Kuro-san! You just want to read these books first! I've already seen through your intentions!" (Shalltear)
Shalltear shouted while pointing at Kuro.
"Ughh… was I found out…?" (Kuro)
Kuro's face turned slightly awkward when she heard that.
"Sigh… you two really…" (Shalltear)
Kuro and I could only chuckle wryly.
…
After that, we began enjoying the dishes Grayfia had prepared.
I asked Grayfia to make seafood fried rice for me. Fried rice is my favorite food, because my mother used to make it for me occasionally.
My mother wasn't very skilled at cooking. The dishes she made always tasted… strange. Because of that, we often bought fast food for our daily meals. Even so, the fried rice she made sometimes tasted quite good… although the chances were like gacha.
I felt a little melancholic remembering that.
'####, Mom made fried rice for you, try it~'
'Mmm~ wow, this time it's really good~ Mom, you have to remember the seasoning properly this time…'
I remembered my mother's smug smile when I praised her cooking.
She was an amazing woman who never gave up on me. Even though my behavior always made her angry and disappointed… she was always patient and forgave me… and that was exactly what made me disgusted with my past self.
The more I think about it… the more disgusted I feel toward myself. The me who always sought justification for this rotten personality… The me who always doubted every helping hand… The me who always regretted every choice I made…
…Every time, I kept thinking, 'if only back then I had—'. I never stopped lamenting all my decisions… my youth was filled with my disgusting behavior of only thinking about having fun. I was half-hearted in everything, never seriously planning for the future, and always causing trouble. Everything I did back then… I never once considered the consequences in the future.
Even back in school, there was a very beautiful and fairly wealthy girl who truly loved me… sincerely cared for me… but I only toyed with her. I never genuinely returned her feelings… I still remember when she cried as I decided to leave her just like that. She gave everything to me, yet I only played with her heart. When I truly think about it, I never stop regretting it… a disgusting regret that only comes when everything is already too late.
The older I became, the more disgusted I felt toward my past self… I kept destroying things… everything I did was filled with regret… it felt like an endless vicious cycle… sometimes I even wished I had never been born…
"…Arthur-san… Arthur-san!" (Shalltear)
Shalltear's voice snapped me back to reality.
"Ah… sorry… I was just spacing out…" (Arthur)
I gave a wry smile when I saw everyone looking at me with concern.
"…Are you alright, Arthur?" (Abernyu)
Abernyu asked worriedly.
"I'm fine~ no need to worry~" (Arthur)
I laughed lightly to reassure them.
They still didn't look convinced, but they decided to let it go.
I let out a sigh inwardly.
Damn… this habit of negative thinking needs to stop. I don't want to remain as someone who only knows how to lament things.
From now on, I'll focus on my own interests.
…
We began taking our first bites and enjoying the meal.
"Nom~ nom~ this is delicious, Grayfia. You're truly skilled at cooking." (Arthur)
Even though I've never tasted dishes from world-famous restaurants, Grayfia's cooking was the best I had ever tasted so far.
"Thank you, Arthur-sama. I am glad you are enjoying it." (Grayfia)
Grayfia smiled in satisfaction upon hearing my praise.
"Nn~ this is on par with Ein's cooking." (Kuro)
"You're right, Kuro-san. I'm sure Ein-san would be excited to know there's another maid comparable to her~" (Shalltear)
Shalltear responded playfully.
"By the way, Arthur-sama. May I have your permission to tour the Demon Realm?" (Alfia)
Hearing Alfia's question, I looked at her.
"…That's not a problem. But I hope you can go together with Abernyu. I don't doubt your ability to protect yourself… but consider it as a precaution." (Arthur)
Given Alfia's current level of power, only a handful of people could pose a threat to her. Still, we never know what kind of dangers exist here. The demons in this place are ruthless enough to do anything. I'm not willing to gamble on that.
Besides, Abernyu still wants to explore the Demon Realm as well. I can entrust Alfia to her.
"Very well. You may accompany me whenever you wish to go, Alfia." (Abernyu)
"Thank you, Arthur-sama, Abernyu-sama." (Alfia)
Alfia nodded toward us.
—
3rd POV
—
In the God Realm, specifically within the Sanctuary.
"This feeling called interest is growing stronger… I suppose it is time to meet him." (Shiro)
Shallow Vernal, who was still observing Arthur, whispered softly.
Shallow Vernal felt a faint sense of strangeness when she saw her other half appearing close to Arthur. If one had to use an analogy; it was like seeing a doll you liked being owned by someone else… even though you were the one who noticed it first, yet suddenly someone else possessed it.
Shallow Vernal, who still did not fully understand emotions, was unable to comprehend this unfamiliar feeling.
—