Continuity is the Father of Magical Power

"Okay, here we are! Come on, we're gonna collect more and more material today."

After Bell's reign, we came to the entrance to the Devil's Forest.

When I came here the other day, I felt worse...

After all, have I gotten stronger in the last few years, too?

I've been busy running schools and territories here lately and haven't really had a chance to fight...... I hope I haven't blunted my mind.

"Um... is it okay to go out of the country on your own...? Normally, don't you have to go through the inquest?

"The inquisition? Oh, speaking of which, you are. Well, it's a day trip, isn't it? Besides... I don't want my mother to find out."

Probably... or I'll definitely have to go into the Devil's Forest from the right place... if I do that, my mother will be contacted.

"I knew... you're gonna hide it, aren't you?

That's right. You never want to find out because your mother's long sermon is already a punishment.

"I'll be there in half a day."

"You're deluded... what, Demon King? What do you mean?

"Oh, speaking of... uh, it's okay. Because he's a kind demon king."

Would it taste bad if I spread the word that the Demon King is alive?

Something, because I live in seclusion, and I felt like spending the rest of my life without anyone interrupting me.

If I piss that guy off badly, it's gonna be catastrophic, and I don't think I should tell people.

"What do you mean by gentle demon king!?

"Don't worry. Look, I'm coming. Follow me properly!

"Oh, don't delude me!

As I listened to Bell's appeal, I took Bell's hand and walked into the woods.

I'm holding hands so I can get away with a quick metastasis.

Well, I know it's okay, 'cause it's a promise to Belle.

With that in mind, a bunch of black augs quickly surrounded us.

"Oh, it's a black ogre. Long time no see."

Were you surrounded by these guys when you first came here?

I was struggling back then - yeah, I miss it.

"Le, Master Leo. Something tells me I'm very strong... are you sure you're okay?

Bell has turned his worried face to me, holding my hand tighter and tighter.

From Bell, there's about a quadruple difference between the Black Aug and the level...... scary and natural.

"Don't worry. Look, because this is so instantaneous."

In the meantime, to reassure Bell, he created thunder magic to instantly kill the Black Augs.

"Ho, it's true. But...... it was a fiercer demon than I imagined. After all, is it dangerous?

"It's okay. You couldn't take him down without moving a step, could you?

"Yeah......"

Even if I made a safety appeal, Belle couldn't snort.

Six Hours Later

"All right, now you won't be plagued by a lack of demon stones for the time being."

With that said, I naturally smiled when I saw the demonic stones in my bag and the precious materials.

That was worth the run around the woods at full speed.

"It's already... Dear Leo, it's too fast. If Leo hadn't given it to me, he would have left it early."

When I was satisfied with my half-day accomplishment, I heard a complaint from above.

"That's why you've got the bamboo. You had fun riding, didn't you?

Bell was on the flying magic spell I used to find the dragon.

I thought it was inefficient when I was walking with Bell, and I was thinking yesterday of an operation to have you follow me on this wagon if you understood that it was safe.

It's pretty hard to manipulate, Boulder Bell, but he got on early and came about my speed.

"Yes, but..."

"Then why not? Look, I'm going to the Demon King."

I've come so far, I have to say hello.

Anyway, you'll be waiting for me to realize I'm already on my way over there.

With that in mind, I went out to an open place where the Demon King was.

"Ko, here... is that demon king really there?

Bell, coming down from the jar, stuck to my back to hide his body from a house.

Well, I know you're gonna be so scared. From Bell, he's like a symbol of fear.

"Yeah. I'm here. Oh, but the last time I saw him was four years ago, so I don't know if he's here."

Since I've been here on a dragon crusade...... maybe I'm tired of moving here?

"No, he's here."

Oh, I knew I was here.

"Ahhh!!"

I didn't think anything of the appearance from behind by the Demon King because I expected it, but Bell was surprised enough to slip out of his hips.

Looking back holding the trembling bell, the Demon King stood sorry.

"You surprised me... how have you been?

"Yeah. And you... you're looking good, too."

Well, it doesn't change much in about four years because you're Demonic, does it?

"Well, I can't change. Compared to that, you've changed. Oh, not in a bad way. It's growing solid."

"Bye. People grow taller in four years."

"Oh, the thing about people, they live a really short time. I can just have a thick life for that matter. I'm so jealous."

"Envious?"

You think I envy a demon king who has all that power and can live for how many times more than people?

Well, I can't tell the Demon King that I really seem to miss him.

"Oh, I've lived for almost a thousand years now. Lived, but did nothing for most of those millennia... I'm just having some free time"

"Let, a thousand years? Is he that alive?

Can the Demons live that much? Because you're a powerful demon? Or because you're the Demon King?

"Hmm? Didn't we talk about this before? Sure, when I told you where the dragon was."

"I thought you said that? Yeah... I can't remember the dragon."

"Right. If you've forgotten, I'll explain. Anyway, I couldn't tell you how familiar I was with you then."

"Huh. I mean, you're telling me now?

It's only been four years since then, hasn't it?

Well, four years for people's kids is huge.

"Simply put, yes. And then I can tell you because now is the time."

"At that time?

What's the right time to know about the Demon King?

"I'll teach you more in the house. Follow me. Yeah, you can bring your Beast King's daughter too."

Is it okay if I tell Belle? When I turned my eyes to say, the Demon King gave me an OK.

I'm glad I couldn't leave the bell here that I could still stand... Didn't I tell you something terrible right now?

"Ju, Beast King!?

You just said the Beast King's daughter, didn't you?

"What? You weren't aware? Only a royal beast can use beast magic, right? Yeah, speaking of which, you naturally don't know. Daughter of the Beast King......"

"It's Belle."

I turned my eyes to Bell and he seemed worried about what to call him, so I gave him his name.

"Right. Belle, you are the last survivor of the Beastman royal family."

"Huh? What do you mean?

How could a royal beast be in an orphanage? Besides, what do you mean, the last survival?

"Easy. Bell there is the only daughter the last king of the Beasts managed to keep alive. Before dying, the Beast King entrusted his children to an ancient friend, who fought and died to protect his country from the mighty enemy."

An old friend... you mean the old lady from the orphanage where Belle grew up?

Awesome. That old lady, the friend of the Beast King or something? Seriously, I'm starting to feel like I need to make time to go see him next time.

Well, more than that.

"What is that mighty enemy...?

Who killed the Beast King?

"That's what I was about to tell you and that's what I'm going to tell you, so I'll talk to you when I get in the house"

That said, the Demon King has gone into his own house.

"I'm here today to collect material..."

I didn't expect this to happen, but I had no choice but to follow the Demon King into the house.