The Lazy King Chapter 4

The Lazy King Chapter 4: Ira

Part 1: Just Remembering it Pisses Me Off

In novels, I’ve read that there’s nothing more troublesome than an incompetent yet hard worker, but if you’ll let me state my personal opinion, in this world, there is nothing more aggravating than a ridiculously competent slacker.

The Demon Lord I’ve been dispatched to keep an eye on – The King of Sloth, Leigie of the Slaughterdolls- is perhaps the best fitting for that phrase in the world. One of these guys is more than enough.

Of the ones who ally to the Great Demon King『Kanon Iralaude』, a total of 19 have reached Demon Lord Class, but of Demon Lords selected by the Original Sin of Sloth, there is only one.

I must follow my orders, and produce results. But he doesn’t seem to want cause any insurrections, and all he does is just lie around. How annoying.

The current Great Demon King, Kanon-sama is a Demon Lord that is connoted with Ira. The Ira attribute specializes in offensive power, and its single targeting power far surpasses the Gula series, which is also said to boast high offense. However, the Acedia Series, annoyingly enough, is said to be the only Skill Tree out of all of them that excels in pure stamina. All demons have some Defensive skill or another, but the Sloth Tree far surpasses common sense in that regard.
Pointless VIT that seems to have been thrown in for no real reason, on top of a presumptuously enormous amount of HP. What’s more, they have specialized resistances to attacks of every attribute, and status abnormalities. With their explosive VIT, they rarely ever feel pain.

On the other hand, they’re lacking in Dexterity, and Offensive power, but I doubt such a thing is necessary.
Without any meaning, like stones on the ground, like shellfish in the sea, those guys just exist there without doing anything.

Why must we waste our own power to try and chip at those existences that resemble inorganic matter? The Great Demon Kings of old probably thought along those lines.
From my point of view, taking in a King of Sloth as a subordinate was one of the greatest mistakes ever committed by the first Great Demon Lord.

They are without a doubt detrimental existences. That’s why my stress against that indestructible wimp just continues to build up without end. I’ve collected an indescribable amount of Wrath, and while it’s been almost a thousand years since my birth, I’ve never felt this much anger against a specific something ever before.

Those were the contents of the regular report I submitted to Kanon with the resolve that I was going to get killed. She burst into laughter. It was the first time I ever saw the Great Demon King of Wrath laugh to this extent.

The Great Demon King’s hand-picked corps that acts as her eyes and ears, the『Order of Black』.

In reality, about one fifth of the world’s Demon Kings were once part of the Order, and when you think about how the current Great Demon King Kanon originated from it as well, it’s easy to understand just how refined of a history this Order has.

But as we are dispatches, it’s an exceedingly dangerous mission where we have to serve another Demon Lord, and by its nature, it’s a crucial one where negligence isn’t permitted.

Even so, after receiving top-class reports for my military service, I, Lize Bloodcross, was unable to understand why I was sent alone to do the mission that usually required teams of three, and even though I governed Wrath, just as Kanon did, I couldn’t understand the meaning behind me being sent to watch over Sloth, the complete opposite nature. It was unbearable.

Originally, inspections were to be carried out by Demons of the same attribute, or at least by ones of similar nature. While it may be the decision of the Great Demon King, I am completely unable to comprehend his divine will. I’m at my wits end. Thus, I cannot avoid issuing a protest. Even if that is to end in my death.

On a giant throne of obsidian, Great Demon King Kanon Iralaude had laughed so much that tears were coming out of her eyes, as she propped herself up with her staff.

Even with a few meters between us, the exalted atmosphere I sensed was proof of the unfathomable power she commanded as the Great Demon King.

But her authority is quite wasted. In various ways. And as I may add, todays Demon King-sama is in a rare good mood.
She clears her throat, and stares at me with her red hot eyes.

“And, Lize Bloodcross. If that be the case, then what exactly is it that you want?”

“Yes, it is my suggestion that we just kill Leigie-sama already, divide up his territory, and assign it to the other Demon Lords loyal to you.”

I stated what was on my mind directly to the Great Demon King.

My objection was in opposition to the Great Demon King’s will, so it wouldn’t be strange for my head to fly off at any moment, but there wasn’t even a fragment of anger in her eyes.

“I see… then who will kill him? As the sole Demon Lord that governs Sloth, he merely wastes his eternity on naught. How shall we kill a Demon Lord like that?”

“That is…”

That in itself was the reason I spent several months bearing my anger and serving him.

As if he was saying that there was no need to pay any mind to attacks of my measly level.

Just remembering it pisses me off.
Hot blood circulated through my body with my Soul Core as the center, and my vision was dyed red. I took deep breathes to try and calm myself, but it didn’t have any effect.

“Ku ku ku, by the look of it, you’ve already tried it yourself…”

“… Yes, I understand that I have overstepped my authority, but I was unable to hold back my Wrath…”

Kanon-sama received those words with eyes filled with pleasure.

“I’ll permit it. Ku ku ku, Lize… you resemble… the me of the past.”

“!? Yes… ‘tis an honor.”

Just what does she mean?

With an expression completely unfitting of her moniker, Kanon of Ruin, she looked at me with soothing eyes.

“Anyways, Lize. That man won’t die… of course, if you find a way to kill him, I mind not if you carry it out, but… Lize, I’m counting on you.”

“… Yes. I will put in my utmost effort in order to answer your expectations, my liege.”

On her sudden words, I hurriedly corrected my posture, and from her sudden expectations, I hid my face.

Will I ever be able to live up to such hopes?

Against that Demon who’s shut himself in his own closed world, what is it that I can do?

Our affinity is… just too bad.

“Good… I understand your plea. But there is a reason you were appointed Leigie’s observer. Find it out for yourself.”

That was something I did not expect from the King’s mouth. The weight I feel on the back of my head. An invisible pressure is holding me down. Lifting my head isn’t permitted.
It may be obvious, but on her statement, me questioning further would be foolish.

“Yes. Please excuse me, Lize Bloodcross. All is as Kanon-sama wishes it.”

“Good. Then march onwards. You have the makings of a ruler. So learn. Study it, understand it. The meaning of being a Demon.”

“Yes… without fail.”

There was no playfulness in the Great Demon King’s words.
Her each of her direct, passing words were engraved in my Soul Core.

But I cannot understand what she means in the slightest.

From that Demon Lord… from the Demon Lord whose sin was so strong it caused my predecessor, a Demon of Sloth, to abandon his responsibility. As someone with the polar opposite nature, just what am I supposed to learn?
Perhaps by the time I learn that, I will have answered to the Great Demon King’s expectations.

I lower my head greatly, and the moment I had stepped through the door, Kanon-sama spoke.
Another voice unbefitting the Demon King of Ruin. A tired voice.

“Lize, once you return to the Castle of Shadows, go tell Leigie-Niisama… at least drop by now and again.”

“… Eh!? Niisama!?”

I definitely did not have to hear that.

The sin of Wrath, said to return everything in the world to ash.

With this pressure, I was able to get out but a few words before my heart gave in.

“Kanon, just now…”

“Onwards, Lize Bloodcross! Don’t… trouble me any further!”

“Y-yes!”

As if she was driving me away, she slammed the doors.
Angry words from the Demon Lord of Wrath were definitely nothing rare. The two guards standing in front of the Great Demon King’s room remain unmoving, but they turn eyes filled with sympathy at me. I nod to them before going forward.

I see… Even if he’s a rare Sloth Demon Lord Specimen, so this is why Kanon, who governs Wrath leaves him be…
Wrath’s direct attack ability is second to none, but on the other hand, it’s hard to keep followers unharmed.

I get the feeling I just caught a glimpse of some of the Great Demon King’s black history. It’s a bit dejecting.

Part 2: Go to Hell!

Today, once again, the Demon Lord I was charged with observing was at peace.

Even though the morning sun had risen, the bed remained stuffed with the thick lump that was Leigie, and he isn’t moving in the slightest. At this point, I’m even beginning to question whether he’s still alive.

There are times when a Wrath like me isn’t angry, but Leigie-sama has never slacked on his duty.

Is that supposed to be the difference between a normal Demon and a Demon Lord? No, that’s probably wrong. According to the others of the Order of Black sent to watch Demon Lords, they’re just a bit further out than normal Demons, and it seems that they’ve never run into any others stoically continuing to pursue their own attributes as much as Leigie. Really, he should just drop dead.

I unintentionally opened my eyes wide. This is surprising. This is quite severe.

There… isn’t a single thing to report.

He doesn’t train his skills, and without any training, I doubt he’ll go step into a battle. He doesn’t establish communication with his retainers, and he doesn’t participate in the war councils. Everything revolves around the people working outside of his watch. I am here witnessing the perfected form of a single type of monarchy. But it’s definitely something different from the phrase『The King Reigns, but Does not Govern』.

No, it’s just that he isn’t thinking about anything at all.
Are you even conscious of what your role in all this is, De~ Mon~ Lord~ Sa~ Ma~?

How does this army hold itself together? No, seriously.
It was just too pitiful that my stress is building up, and that gets converted to anger. As a result, for me who had never really had too much to anger me in life, My Wrath Skill Tree experienced sudden extreme growth. I’m not happy about it at all.

I sat irritated in my usual chair as I glared scornfully at the bed.

And while that was happening, the clock hit a certain time, and the source of all evil appeared cart-in-hand.

She opened the door without making a single sound, and quietly entered with elegant bearing. In a soft voice, she alerted him of that time.
It was the closest connection Leigie’s army had to their Demon Lord. It was…

“…Leigie-sama, it’s time for your meal…”

The maid.

In the categorization system decided by the Human Race, the category of Demons known as Wraiths, has many born with nothing but the innate instinct to cause harm to others, but occasionally, a Demon without such desires is born of them.

If that girl actually embraced some sin, then there’s no way she would be this devoted to Leigie-sama. Because this Demon Lord is trash.

Her name is Lorna. She doesn’t have a last. Since I was dispatched here, she’s the one I’ve had to interact with the most.

At the same time, she’s the source of all of this. Because this girl spoils that Demon Lord in every sense of the term, Leigie-sama will never work no matter how much time passes.

I honestly think this world would be a better place without her. But she doesn’t die. There’s no worry of her falling in battle. Because she doesn’t go out in the battles.

On Lorna’s whisper of food, the Demon Lord’s head slowly began to project out of the covers. His eyes are half-closed, and he’s still lying face-down. This is the only time of day I can regularly see that man’s deplorable face. Even though he’s unarmed, if you launch an attack, Leigie-sama doesn’t take a single point of damage. I know because I’ve tried it a few times.

Just what sort of Skills does Sloth have?
Within all the Skill Trees held by the Demon Class, the one with the least information about it known is without a doubt the Sloth Skill Tree.

Demons of Sloth don’t usually use skills by choice. If you ask why, it’s precisely because they are Sloth. And so, a majority of Sloth’s skills aren’t widely known. Of course, among them, there isn’t anyone diligent enough to painstakingly record down their skills either. It’s no real mystery why it’s a mystery. Don’t. Screw. With. Me!

Just what thoughts are going through their heads as they continue to pursue that laziness?

Every time I think about that, it feels like I’m observing some sort of foreign animal. And I feel my entire body get engulfed by a feeling of weakness. Just die already.

The scarce information that’s been passed around denotes that Sloth skills excel in endurance, and that they have skills that allow them to slow down others’ movements. There’s also the Slaughter Dolls Leigie-sama is so known for: a skill for giving life to dolls. But that’s about it.
That may be all, but I also think that’s more than enough information in a sense. I mean, it’s not like that lump over there’s going to use a skill anyways.

With his eyes closed, Leigie-sama opened his mouth.
Lorna accepted that action with a beaming smile, scooped up some food with a spoon, and inserted it in his mouth. It was like watching a mother bird feed its young.

One surprising thing was that this Demon Lord didn’t even lift a finger to eat!

Even if you’re successfully fulfilling your cravings, APOLOGIZE TO ALL THOSE DEMONS WHO COULDN’T BECOME LORDS!
I grit my teeth, and screamed only within my heart. My mental sanity was in danger. In various ways.

And Lorna, you need to stop too!

It’s that. The more I learn of his slovenly lifestyle, my evaluation of Leigie, as well as those of the other Demons who couldn’t become Demon Lords, even though this thing somehow accomplished it is dropping. I’m included. And that makes me pissed off all the more.

As I stood up by reflex, Lorna turns her eyes to me.
As I sigh, she gently sets the spoon on the plate, and puts her hand on her hip, as if worn out.

“Day, by day, by day. Just what is it that you’re so dissatisfied with?”

With that gesture, I heard something snap somewhere in my head.
Leigie yawned.

“What? Me, dissatisfied? There should be a limit to making fun of me!!”

Just because he’s a Demon Lord, he’s underestimating me…

I lose my rationality for a moment, and my Wrath blazes up. It rushes around my body along with my blood.

Just how much must I bear with? Why must I live like this… If Kanon-sama won’t dispose of him, then I’ll settle this in her place…

With his eyes still closed, he sways his head back and forth. I’m getting a sudden impulse to go kick that head like a soccer ball.
Dammit… I’ve already tried that one long ago. It didn’t give him a single scratch.

Then to give him a scratch, all that’s left is my『Ira』 Skills.

It creates too much of an opening, so I can’t use it in battle, but let’s take some sweet time, and gather up power.
With my rage as the fuel, I’ll obliterate my enemy. That is the basis of『Ira』 skills.

“Looking down on me… in Kanon-sama’s place… I’ll beat you to death…”

The『Ira』 skill I have with the highest output.
Fire born from a Demon’s heart, my Soul Core, well up from my feet, and rise into the heavens as a pillar of flames.

On the Skill Tree, it’s an upper class skill ranked S. Of the skills I can use, it’s the most powerful.

『Rage Flame』

Lorna winced as she was buffeted with the high temperature with that came as a side effect.

While it may just be an aftereffect, it’s a heat beyond what a normal Demon can stand. The skin on Lorna’s arms instantly begins to burn, and the room is filled with the unpleasant scent of roasting meat. She scowls, steps back, and covers her skin, but this isn’t a heat that can be avoided by something of that extent.

“… Lorna, move. It’s not my problem if you’re caught up in this.”

“… It’s useless. With『Wrath』 of that level… you won’t be able to breach Leigie-sama’s『Sloth』.”

… Looking down on me.

Words are taken as fuel, and the inside of my head gets redder and redder. The flame wrapped around my arms change to a shade of crimson mixed with black.

But without even trying to put it out, she continued to pat Leigie’s head. He hadn’t even opened his eyes. Her mouth approached his ear.
And she voiced some unbelievable words.

“Leigie-sama… I have a younger sister. If I’m ever to dissapear, it’s set that she will be the one to take care you you in my place.”

“I see.”

Lorna doesn’t seem to be giving any care to her own life.
And the Lord of Sloth doesn’t have a hint of interest towards that fact. Leigie doesn’t even open his eyes… He doesn’t even look at Lorna’s face.

“Idiotic… you plan to die here?”

“Ku… I do not have anything to block what you’ve over there, Lize. No matter what I do, it will kill me in the end. That is all.”

While withstanding the pain, her words came out in a level tone, adding more fuel to my flames of wrath.

The flames were my anger in itself. Their nature was different than simple physical fire. They had powers fitting for them to be called flames of hell, the ability to turn all matter to ash. In this wide world, they’re perhaps what has the greatest destructive capability. They even surpass the magic fire used by the Spirit Race.
Information about the target of my flames enters my head.

Lorna’s body constructed of Soul only has a slight fire resistance from the basic Demon Tree. She’s easily burned through as she becomes food for the flames.

If I released the skill, then even if I didn’t aim for her, she would easily…even easier than a scrap of paper, her soul and all else would turn to ash.

“Ask your lord to save you.”

“You’re making… a mistake. Lize Bloodcross.”

Her entire body burns away bit by bit, and her head dressed in charcoal made me find it amazing she was still alive. With those burnt eye sockets, she looked at me.

And like that, Lorna smiled.

“… Sloth is… without thinking anything… without creating anything… without saving anything… without letting your feelings be moved… just existing as you wish it.”

The all-important Leigie was, even with the flames of hell said to destroy any and everything surrounding him, not stirring at all.

Not a single hair on his head, or a single patch of skin was burned. Even though there’s no sign of him using any sort of skill!

Even when everything in his world is being reduced to cinders!

That fact made my mind leave me.
It felt like my head would split, that even burning everything in this world wasn’t enough. That sort of anger penetrated my head. The heat of the flames increases even further.

At that moment, Leigie opened his eyes for the first time, and murmured.
For the first time, his eyes turn towards me. His expression seems troubled.

“… It’s hot.”

What the hell is he saying… this one…

Without an iota of hesitation, I activated the skill.

“… Go to hell! Leigie!”

“… I see.”

With an unpleasant expression, Leigie sighed.
He turned the palm of his hand to me… in the face of the black flames, he said a single word.

“Iyo.”

That was the first moment I had understood that the Demon Lord had activated a skill. Even without saying the Skill name.
Right before it hit him, with a speed much faster than my own skill.

What was supposed to protect my soul, the Mental Pollution Resistance skill was instantly breached without being able to offer any resistance in the slightest. My instincts told me.

The impact was great enough to shake my Soul Core. My Field of vision was in chaos, and my thoughts went all over the place.

The heat inside of my head was instantly cut off.

As if those feelings had been a lie, a hole was pierced through my heart. What should have been there was the mental hell of Wrath, but the driving force that was my anger turned off, and died out. The flames that had been raging in the surroundings, the flames that had been burning Lorna, as if any and everything had been a dream.

“What… did you…”

I look at my palm, from which the black flame had disappeared.

I should… have been angry. I definitely had been embracing anger and hatred great enough to burn everything to the ground.

The disparity between my emotions and my memory become a cold wind, sending shivers down my spine. Something must have happened to create the empty gap within my mind.
My knees give out on me, and I kneeled on the ground that had rapidly cooled after losing its heat.

I don’t understand. I don’t understand anything. I don’t understand my emotions of anger. How. Why was I angry? How did I get so angry? My memory won’t provide me with those answers.
Without paying any mind to my worries, within the ashes, and with a troubled expression, in his tattered bedding, Leigie rolled over.

There is only one theory that could possibly explain this abnormal situation.

… This is… a Skill of Sloth.

Lying on his back, Leigie’s eyes turned in my direction.

But without saying anything, he closed them.

His impudent behavior lit another spark within me.
Say something already…

Part 3: Who the Hell Does He Think He’s Supposed to Be?

“Are you not going to kill me for opposing you?”

“… If you want to die, then go do that by yourself. Ah, but first, go tell them that they should send a Sloth next time.”

Hah.

With those words, I became certain that my own actions had absolutely no effect on this Demon Lord.
He really is a man with no hopes of salvation. Kanon’s tired words float in my mind.

A skill to overwrite one’s cravings with Sloth.

That’s my conjecture as to the skill this Demon Lord used only once. I don’t even know its name.
At that moment, the hell within my heart was completely buried up.

And if that’s truly the case, then that is… the strongest skill for a Demon. I mean, a Demon’s battle ability rises in proportion to the extent of their longings. Just as my『Wrath Flames』 scaled off my anger, to rapidly increase its output.

His skill is bullshit. Normally, a skill of this type would be blocked by the Mental Corruption Resistance on the Basic Demon Tree, but this Demon Lord somehow breached it in an instant. That means that skill can’t be blocked by standard means, and that skills that can’t be withstood by it truly do exist.

No, more than that, a large majority of Wrath Skills scale directly off of anger, so his power would be even more affective against her.
When I think of the anger smoldering within me, it isn’t something that will burn for eternity, but if I think about what would happen if it were suddenly extinguished in battle, I cannot help but feel fear.

Its effect? Its range? Its scope? Its conditions?

Challenging this Demon Lord without knowing any of that is… too dangerous. What’s more, he only showed me a single power. When you think about how I have dozens of Wrath Skills, while there’s a difference in trees, I can’t help but assume this Demon Lord has much more than that.

Leigie-sama is… dangerous. Not because his irritating behavior is poison to my sanity, his power itself is dangerous.

If I cannot obliterate him with Wrath Skills… the other Skill Series which fall behind in pure offensive power won’t be able to break his defense.
He said it was hot. That means for a split second, my power definitely had some effect on this Demon Lord. It’s impossible for the current me, but if I continue to mature, perhaps I will gain the power to inflict damage on him.

I need to sharpen my blade.

And at the same, time, make good use of this man’s resources, to benefit the Great Demon Lord’s army. He’s scary as an enemy, but having these Sloth Skills on our side is more than reliable.

Once I’ve overcome that, there is no doubt I’d have gained powers incomparable to what I’ve used up until now.

We were moved to another room, and on top of a bed of the same make, Leigie turned over in his sleep.

It seems that the bedroom I burnt up is in the middle of reconstruction. None of the Demons in Leigie’s army said a word about it. Say something already.

At that time, the door made a loud sound as it opened, and a single Demon came in.

She looked at Leigie-sama, who refused to pop his face out of the covers, took a quick glance at me, and approached the bed. With a face identical to Lorna’s, she smiled.

“Leigie-sama! Please~ Wake~ Up~!”

Of all things, she began recklessly shaking the cover the Demon Lord had burrowed under.
The smile and atmosphere are definitely similar. The girl who was probably the sister she was talking about only carried a similar air, and her actions were completely different. This is a fraud.

That’s no way to treat that guy, I mean, isn’t he supposed to be some sort of king?

What the hell is this.

“!? Wai…  can’t you be a little quieter!?”

“? Ah! You muct be the Lize-san oneechan told me about! I’m called Hiero. I’m the little sister of Lorna, who used to take care of Leigie-sama!”

“Eh, ah, yes.”

Without stopping her hand, the girl called Hiero turned only her head to look at me.

Even if she’s a Demon, she should have at least a bit of affection for her family. Just like I have a sort of loyalty to the Great Demon King.
Of all things, she started speaking in an innocent voice.

“Thank you very much! For killing Oneechan! Because of that, it’s finally come around to my turn! Oneechan would never stop working, so I was getting worried!”

Her feelings were just too twisted. Her lack of visible malice made it all the more menacing.
From the time I served directly under the Great Demon King, to when I was assigned here, I’ve never seen emotions like these.

“Y-you… are those the sort of words you’re supposed to direct to your sister’s killer!?”

“Eh? Well…”

On my words, Hiero put her index finger to her mouth, and began to think.
And the answer came soon enough. It was an answer I wasn’t expecting at all.

“Lize-san, you’re too soft. If you’re going to try killing her, you have to do it properly…”

“Eh…?”

Her skirt fluttered as she sat on the edge of the bed. From under her skirt that was much shorter than Lorna’s, I saw healthy, tanned skin.

How does that modest Older Sister get a younger one like this?

(TL: This kusu is laughter. Not sobbing.)

“Kusu kusu kusu, she was still alive… Good grief, oneechan doesn’t know when to give up… her luck sure was great. Even if it wasn’t a direct hit, for her not to die instantly after taking the『Ira』 of a General Class Demon. Even when I thought my turn had finally come, I was going to have to contain myself even longer!”

What shocking news. She was burnt black, but lived!?
No, that’s not it. That isn’t it. This Demon… what did she just say?

“… Contain yourself even longer… could it be, that you…”

“Nonono, don’t misunderstand! Oneechan’s still alive, you know? Though she’s quite burnt. I mean, killing my own sister is a bit… If I did something like that, kusu kusu kusu, I would become『Invidia』, wouldn’t I? Holding onto two sins would be a pain.”

An unsettling cheerful voice.
This one is… different. She has no beauty like Lorna. No matter how close their faces, no matter how close their forms, this child is without a doubt one who spreads ill will just by staying alive, an orthodox devil. One with the personality most fit to pursue desire, a『Pure Demon』.

I’m not sure whether she’s looking at my expression or not, she lies down face up on top of Leigie, and stares at the decorations on the canopy.

“Oneechan was pretty, wasn’t she? She should’ve been of the same make as me, but she was nice and slim, and tall, and her eyes were wide and clear, her skin was white, and she always did the housework, but she never got a scratch on her, and her hair was glossy without any damage. Her voice wasn’t too high or too low, it was just the right level to comfort the ear, and her breasts were twice the size of mine… a beauty no male Demon would be able to leave alone, and despite her lewdness, she didn’t let a single finger touch her body, as she served Leigie-sama in chastity… Her heart was strong, and she didn’t draw back a step against『Ira』… Kusu kusu kusu, she really was the ideal woman.”

“Le…wd?”

“Oh? Didn’t you know? Even like that, Oneecchan’s a『Luxuria』 demon, you know? What’s more, she’s pursued desire enough to get A Class skill, quite powerful. If you look at Demon Ranks, perhaps the rank just before General… she had about as much power as a Knight, I guess.”

That’s something I cannot believe.

『Luxelia』

And among all of them, it’s said to be the weakest in resisting attacks as well.
They are weak. Uselessly frail. Especially against Demons with Mental Corruption resistance, a majority of their powers don’t work.

But if so, they why…

“Why…”

“I don’t know if Oneechan told you, but my household… has ALWAYS served the Demon King of Sloth, Leigie of the Slaughterdolls. Probably from around ten generations ago. Within the house, there’s a rule that the strongest Demon would be the one to serve, and in this generation, that was… Lorna oneechan. Until Yesterday, that is.”

Yesterday, I burned Lorna in the flames of Wrath. If Hiero’s words are to be trusted, she survived, but has lost her power.
And so the generation shifted. To this arrogant sister.

“I’ve always had a complex against Oneechan. Especially that figure. Oneechan had my ideal form, so… that’s why I was always weaker than her.”

“Eh? Fi… gure?”

“With『Luxuria』, no matter how high level of a Demon you are, with only A Class skills, you can’t… be strong at all. I should have been much stronger. But even so, I couldn’t win. I’m thankful to you, Lize-san. Thank you for burning up oneechan’s beautiful face.”

The tone of her voice dropped for a moment.
And the Demon said…

“Because of that, I was able to…『Overrule』 her…”

All the puzzle pieces were in place.
Hiero forcefully opened up the covers, and shamelessly clung onto Leigie-sama’s arm as he looked at her with empty eyes.

“Leigie-sama, nice to meet you. I think you were listening, but I’ll be taking care of you in oneechan’s place! I’m called Hiero! I’ll be whole-heartedly devoting my time to you, so I hope we get along!”

“… I see.”

“The Original Sin I carry is…『Pride』. I’m Hiero of『Superbia』! Please remember it!”

As I thought… a Pride Demon!

『Superbia』

Within this army, it’s also the attribute of Supreme Commander Heard Lauder.
Its tree… holds some exceedingly troublesome skills. Its affinity with Gula and Ira, that were made to inflict direct damage, is particularly bad.

On her first conversation with the Lord, her eyes sparkled greatly.
But at the same time, I felt it. This girl is in no way suitable for Leigie-sama.

The Demon Lord wasn’t really thinking about anything. With eyes devoid of emotion, he uttered two words.

“… Yeah. Iyo.”

“? What’s 『Iyo』?”

On those words, Leigie’s expression turned stale.

At first, I wondered what it was as well. I asked. But Leigie-sama never told me. In the end, I had to find it out by asking the other Demons. It truly was a waste of time.

Leigie-sama let out a deep sigh. As if he was saying this was all my fault.

And along with that sigh, Hiero’s expression clouded.
With a heavy voice, Leigie-sama spoke. From my point of view, it was the same as normal, but for Hiero who was having her first conversation with him, it was probably different. His voice is always full of something that could be called despair.

“… What happened to the last one?”

“… Eh? Y-you mean oneechan?”

“… Yeah.”

Yeah, he definitely doesn’t know it.

Hiero’s pride is stimulated, and she answers in a shaking voice.

“Oneechan was… burnt black by that Lize-san over there. That’s why I’m…”

Demon Lord, you were there, weren’t you! And isn’t this your fault!?

Are you sure there isn’t any fungus growing inside of that head?

“I see… bring her here.”

“… he? Leigie-sama, j-just now, what are…”

Leigie-sama frowned.

By the way, if Kanon-sama makes a face like that, it’s a sign that the entire area will soon be reduced to cinders. There’s no escape.
This Demon Lord is a wimp, so nothing like that ever happens here. I’ll even bet my life on it. Ah, dammit. This is pissing me off.

Leigie-sama repeated himself.

“… Bring her.”

“… Y-yes… ahaha, but she’s just charcoal, right? … y-yes, I understand. I’ll carry Oneechan here.”

Hiero’s eyes are teary, but she immediately leaves the room, making loud footsteps.

As if to shout out, ‘I’m in a bad mood.’

But Leigie-sama probably doesn’t notice that at all.
The Demon Lord under the covers, who usually never moved had taken such a large action, so I tried asking.

“What do you plan on doing?”

“… That one’s no good.”

“… Hiero, you mean?”

“Yeah…”

Without stating a specific reason, he just painstakingly said that one word.

It’s because she carried out each and every conceivable services for him… though that was also the reason I snapped.

With loud footsteps, Hiero slams open the door.
She violently throws something onto Leigie-sama’s bed.

“… It’s oneechan.”

What Hiero brought was a Soul Core that could fit into the palm of your hand.

As long as a Demon’s Soul Core is safe, they can take up long years to regenerate themselves. But with this much damage, it’ll probably decay before any regeneration can happen.

Leigie-sama can’t seem to contain his unhappiness as he takes the core in his hands.
He gave a sigh of resignation, and gave a word in Hiero’s direction… once more, that word.

“… Iyo.”

“… Eh? U-um… I deeply apologize. I am… s-still inexperienced, but I will do my best… would you be as kind as to tell me the meaning of『Iyo』?”

Having been pressed with an impossible trial, as if her smile before had been a lie, Hiero’s tears fell all over the place.

They are just masses of pride, and they think they’re the centers of the world, so hurting their pride enough to get them to put themselves below others makes them absurdly weak.

“… Hah…”

“!? D-demon Lord…”

Who the hell does he think he’s supposed to be?

With a sigh, Leigie-sama closed his eyes.

Right now, the Demon Lord doesn’t really wish for anything. Can’t he just tell her that?

Hiero nervously looks around the room. Her eyes met mine, but I hated her, so I ignored her.
Trying to regain her standing, she musters up her courage to talk again. I doubt any evaluation of her has risen or fallen in the first place. In the first place, there’s no meaning in getting evaluated by that Leigie-sama.

I’m starting to think this, but don’t Pride and Sloth have the worst compatibility?

Even if there were rules, I think Lorna’s made a complete mistake when choosing her successor. Is this supposed to be some form of harassment?

“U-um… I specialize in housework! Cooking, and cleaning, and laundry… I’m confident in it. If you wish for it… e-even sexual favors…”

“I see.”

Her face is red, and she’s definitely pushing herself, but Leigie simply gives his usual answer.

But Hiero doesn’t know that. You can’t try and communicate with this Demon Lord.
Unless you know what he is from the start… that’s why I’m so troubled.

And having been pushed into a corner, Hiero continued to speak.

“Um… if it pleases you, please give me an order.”

Having heard that, for the first time, Leigie-sama voiced his will.

“……………… Damn, this is a pain.”

“… Eh!?”

Seriously, who is he supposed to be?

Hiero looked at the Demon Lord with a blank expression. She hasn’t said anything wrong. She hasn’t made any reckless remarks, and she hasn’t asserted her selfishness.

Don’t expect the maid that was just hired today to be able to figure everything out.

The Demon Lord casually lifted the broken Soul Core up to the light.

I wonder what’s going through his mind.

The presence that sprung forth all of a sudden made me choke for air.

Having sensed that, the face Hiero had finally put in order was suddenly overcome with fear, and after some convulsions, she took a large step back.

Pride forgot her pride, and wrath forgot her wrath. It was an amount of magic great enough to make my『Rage Flame』 seem like child’s play, enough magic to warp the world.
It was. Without a doubt, a wave of the strongest power I’d ever seen in my life.

Nothing seemed to matter anymore, and power seemed to seep out of my body due to the concentration of Acedia.
With a face on the brink of death, the Demon Lord chanted. It was definitely some sort of Spell.

“『Ir Ir Rul Arcadia. Everything, degradation and depravity. Hah… Law of money, the black cornerstone that holds together all creation, just gather for a bit in my name. 『Sloth Minugrosz』』 Ah, I misspelled it…”

“Wai…”

The overflowing magic abides the Demon Lord’s chant, and takes form.

This Demon Lord’s never chanted, or even said the skill name before, so with an aria that long, of the skills I’ve seen before… It’ll most definitely be the highest ranking one.

The skill activation that’s usually impossible to sense is crystal clear.
At the feeling of the world’s order being warped, Hiero let out a scream.

But a spelling error… it was definitely that sigh he threw into it, wasn’t it!?

The thoughts racing around my head were just my attempt to escape reality.
Even if the chant was a failure, the skill definitely activated.

All apart. Though nothing had changed, I felt something breaking.

The Soul Core the Demon King was holding began to change shape at the half that had been burned.

Hiero mutters in a daze.

“O nee… chan?”

“… Haa.”

His sigh was filled with annoyance while, as if a clip was being played in reverse, the charcoal regains its color, and a completely scorched face is dyed white and regains its gloss. In the wide open eyesockets, large orbs take shape.

In just a few seconds, a completely unharmed Lorna was created. Of course, her body, but even the clothes she had been wearing are reborn without a scratch.

And Lorna slowly opens her eyes.

… She’s alive.

Regeneration? Like hell… as if regeneration can restore clothing. In the first place, Lorna should have been completely terminated. From a half-destroyed Soul Core, there’s no way she’d be brought back this perfectly!

“Onee… chan?”

“Hie… ro?”

Hiero unsteadily walks towards Lorna, as if she had seen a ghost.

Well, that can’t be helped. Even I, who’s seen this start to finish, can’t understand what just happened.

At that moment, the color of Hiero’s face changed. From ghastly pale, to red panic.

I also noticed it. The regeneration… wasn’t over yet. No, the wounds were already gone, but still, her time was turning back.

The skill hadn’t ended yet!
The feeling that something was broken persisted, and even though she had returned to normal, there’s no sign of it ending.

Lorna’s height ever-so-slightly reduced, and her breasts withered in a similar manner. The look on her face gets slightly more childish.
Her clothing changes from a pure-white maid uniform to a smaller one with black as the base. Her long skirt changes to the shorter one Hiero was wearing.

By misspell, could he possibly…

My heart beats faster, as I see her body gradually shrink, the fifteen centimeter height difference between her and Hiero became ten, then five. Compared to that, the bulge in her breasts doesn’t change all that much, but her facial features slowly regress from mature to innocent.
For a different reason, Hiero blinked her eyes as she turned to Leigie-sama.

“…Leigie-sama, this is…”

“… Turned her too far back.”

With a face that showed he wasn’t repenting at all, Leigie-sama rubbed his head into the pillow.  Even though it was his mistake, he still has absolutely no motivation.

Turned her… too far back?

Lorna’s transformation ends.

Lorna’s perplexed eyes looked over her shorter arms and legs.
Perhaps Hiero didn’t know how to respond, but she looked around as if to throw responsibility off of herself. I want someone to help me.

Only Leigie-sama is without confusion, without ill will. He looks at the much-compacted, reconstructed Lorna.

“Do you have… memories? Today’s date?”

On Leigie-sama’s question, Lorna casts away her hesitation, and corrects her posture. As if concerned about her now-shorter skirt, she fidgets as she gives a clear reply.

“Eh? Ah… yes. Today is Divine Year 271C8A, Kanon Year 310 November 11th, Leigie-sama.”

As his question was answered with a full-on smile, Leigie-sama turned to me.

Having regained composure, Hiero answers instead.

“Oneechan, it’s the 12th.”

“Heh? No, today should be the 11th… Hmm? Hiero, did you get taller?”

No, you shrunk.
Leigie-sama addressed Lorna, who was tilting her head, and still without a grasp on the situation, with a care-free tone.

“I see. Got it. Iyo.”

“??? Y-yes! Understood, my liege…”

Her head remains tilted as she answers. She looks at her wristwatch, and compares it to the one on the wall. In a panic, she lowers her head deeply to Leigie-sama.

“Leigie-sama, I deeply apologize. A little… your meal time will be delayed by about an hour.”

“Iyo.”

“Thank you. I am deeply grateful for your kindness.”

She instantly returned to her daily cycle, and made quiet steps as she exited the room. Behind her, she pulled the hand of her sister, who still didn’t have a grasp on anything.

As I looked upon it, I was so taken aback that I couldn’t say anything.

I look towards Leigie, the culprit in all of this, but there’s no sign of him feeling satisfaction, or a sense of achievement, or even remorse.
This Demon Lord, who is he, really…

With all that’s happened, I’ve lost confidence in my own『Wrath』 that I’m supposed to govern.

Part 4: Quit. Screwing. With. Me!

Give me a break already.
Every time he shows one of his Sloth skills, my stress build up.

What I understand is that this Demon Lord has advanced enough to be appropriate for Rank Three. That’s about it.

Just how much do I have to satisfy my Sin to get some bullshit skill like the ability to rewind time? To be more specific, it seems it separates stored up experience, and rewinds the body, but that doesn’t really matter.

He rarely uses them, so the damage when he does is horrendous. He’s definitely trying to piss me off. It’s a conspiracy.

This workplace is dangerous… my stomach hurts.

No matter how much I try venting my anger on him, he remains peaceful, so my stress isn’t going anywhere at all.
Kanon-sama’s expectations, and the environment itself have me stuck between a rock and a hard place.

But if I just let him be, then there’s no workplace more peaceful than this one.
I mean, even if I don’t observe him, in the end, he definitely won’t do something as troublesome as a revolt, and even if we don’t lend him power, it’ll work out one way or another.

Is what I thought, but just look at this!
I hold my aching stomach as I turn to Leigie-sama who was slouching deeply into a chair.

“What? What did you just say?”

“… Nothing.”

He’s quite clearly making a face that says repeating would be a pain, as he averts his eyes. For me to almost completely understand this mostly expressionless King, is that some sort of growth on my part? I don’t need this sort of growth…

I take deep breathes to control my anger. My control has greatly increased compared to when I first came here. Without a doubt.
I need to control my anger… even shouting at this man is more than he deserves.

“… Do you remember that Imperial decree?”

Don’t… don’t close your eyes. I’m begging you, listen…

I take deep breathes, and leisurely lower my voice to make it easier for Leigie-sama to hear.

“I said it, didn’t I? This time… the enemy’s a Demon Lord.”

“… No?”

Ku… this man…

Is he making fun of me? No. Without even playing dumb, the memory’s already completely gone.

It’s because if I didn’t warn him, I was sure he would never go out!

Anger splits my head, and as I felt that I was about to destroy the area, I somehow kept it contained with repeated abdominal breathing.

“Hey, hey, oneechan. Lize-san sure has become quiet lately.”

“Don’t mind her, just hold the end properly!”

AAAAAARRRRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHHH!
Next to Leigie-sama, the annoying sisters spoke as if it were someone else’s problem.

Hiero’s master later learned of her unsightly display, and sent her in for maid training. Recently, those two have taken to coming here together.
The prideful younger sister, who intentionally raised her voice so I could hear, and the older one, who despite being one-sidedly killed by me, continued to show absolutely no interest towards me. By that devastating combo, my stress is swelling up twice as fast as before. This really is the worst.

Pride’s Skiltree’s nature lies in bestowing absolute adjustments to opponents they’ve Overruled.

And so, now that the older sister Lorna’s revived, it seems that Hiero was once more forced to occupy second place. Normally, once someone’s been Overruled, it’s difficult to overturn that, but now that Lorna’s been reduced to around the same age, the clear disparity in their appearances (mainly in the chest area) beat down Hiero once more, and while she’s still a bit afraid of Leigie-sama, she obediently follows her sister’s words.
Well, for now, that doesn’t really matter.

The problem is that Hiero is taking mischievous glances at me as if she had set up a prank while she practices making the bed.
She speaks in my direction as she makes an annoying smile.

“Lize-san, you’re not getting angry anymore… could it be you’ve finally given up after witnessing Leigie-sama’s power?”

“An inevitable result. No matter the case, laying hands on a Demon Lord… it was her previous behavior that was the stranger one!”

AAAAAARRRRRRRGGGGGGHHHH!

Blood flows from the palm of my hand, and it trickles onto the ground.
I unintentionally put in too much power, and cracks are spreading across it.

I use up all of my mental fortitude fighting my own emotions.

In the end, this is the nonsense of a child…

Compared to this man, who never moves by himself, despite being a Lord…
Smile. Make a smile.

“D-Dem on Lord? I-I said it, right? The opponent is… the Devouring Demon Lord.”

“… Who’s that?”

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHH
Someone do something about this maaaaaaaaaaan!

Among Kanon-sama’s subordinates, there isn’t one who doesn’t know of Zebul Glaucus, the Devourer.

That’s why. I. Explained it. Because I thought he didn’t know, I explained it! I definitely did!

AAAAAAAH, please save me, Kanon-samaaaaaaaaaa!

I hit my head against the bed post in an attempt to forget my anger, and Lorna looked at me with repulsed eyes.
This is all your Lord’s fauuuuulllt!

“… Fifth… The Fifth Rank, a Demon that governs Gula, my liege. He subjugated the Fifteenth Rank, and the Sixteenth rank Demon Lords in a matter of three days. An atrocious… Demon Lord.”

“… Is that supposed to be amazing?”

“Gu… Yes, it’s amazing! Listen here, Rank Five means that among the Demon Lords loyal to Kanon-sama, he’s the fifth strongest!”

“… Is he stronger than you?”

Nuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!

I shed tears of restraint as I answer. Damn, why must I go through something like this?

“W-well… that’s right…”

“… I see.”

His uninterested line finally made me snap.

AAAARRRRRRGGGGGGHHHH!

“Wow, that’s amazing… Lize-san. After going through this much, you can still keep quiet…”

“Naturally. In the first place, what was strange was the way Lize has been treating our Demon Lord up until now.”

In my head, how many hundreds of thousands of times have I killed him so far!?

Even within my rage, tears started flowing out. Why am I…

“Uku… and. So. It. Would. Be. Bad. If You. Don’t. Go. Out. Demon Lord! In. The. Worst. Case. They’ll. Be. Annihilated!”

In the first place, having a Demon Lord confront a Demon Lord is common sense in battles between Demons.

A normal Demon Lord should know the meaning of this without me having to spell it out. But I thought Leigie-sama didn’t know, so I already explained it to him!
Give me back all of my hard work!

Having listened to the drawn out conversation, Leigie-sama yawned with sleepy eyes.

“… Iyo.”

“If the army the Great Demon King sent you is annihilated, you’ll definitely be punished, you know!? Do you understand that!?”

But seeing her behavior, I’m not sure about other Lords, but perhaps Kanon-sama will let this man off.
But of course,

Chapter end