> ???? Pov

“Laaa~♪! Laa-da-daaa ~♫! Laaa-la-taaa~♪!” (Lara A)

Such a wonderful little song. Even though she’s being rather quiet, I can clearly make out Lara’s voice over clacking sounds of our carriage. Bringing her along on these routine journeys between Runetap and Kotero was the right decision. It makes the long trip feels like a small vacation!

I just can’t get enough of her cheerful disposition! I honestly don’t know where I’d be if I ever let go of her. I just wish she realized I was trying to confess to her months ago! Why did I have to get help from that damned spider to make her realize I cared for her?!

Well, it was also my own fault. I was so worried she might reject me outright that I wasn’t able to clearly state my feelings.

“Think we can afford to go on a proper honeymoon soon?” (Lara A)

She hugs my arm with her whole body and smiles up at me. How could I refuse such a polite request?!

ZUBLOS SHALL LET THE WHOLE WORLD KNOW OF HIS TERRIBLE FURY!

“Oh honey! You don’t need to go that far! Though I appreciate the thought!” (Lara A)

I really do want to show her this world, though. So much to see, so much to-

I feel a presence in the treeline, to our right. I leave the reigns to my fiance and jump off the carriage while drawing my sword. She nods at me and gets ready to flee with the horses should there be too many enemies.

I do not plan on repeating my mistake!

WHO DARES INTERRUPT ZUBLOS?! KNOW THAT ANY WHO OBSTRUCT MY GLORIOUS PASSAGE WILL BE CRUSHED WITHOUT MERCY

There’s a slight movement in the bushes. Slowly but surely, a small figure steps out of the forest. It’s… Ash?! The face is as oddly cute as ever. Olive-green skin that seems to glisten slightly in the sun. Two short golden horns that pop out from under a mass of long, black hair. A body so small and thin you’d think it was a child that hasn’t hit puberty yet. And don’t even get me started on those twintails...

“Eeeeek!” (Ash)

Yep. That tiny squeak is definitely Ash. This is bad. I know this pattern. Next thing you know there’s going to be a-

*Sssssssssslop*

“Great and mighty Zublos! I hath found thee at last!” (Ash)

-sliding grovel with a barely audible whisper as greeting. What is Ash doing here?! I thought all of Zublos’s lieutenants were sealed away by the Hero long ago!

“Honey?” (Lara A)

This is terribly bad! Lara’s looking over here with a dubious expression! Is she jealous? She might be jealous!

“Do you know this flat-chested girl with the fancy black dress?!” (Lara A)

Of course she’s jealous! I completely thought this would happen! But I can’t explain myself because of Zublos’s damn mouth!

“I am Zublos’s servant, wench! Who dares speaketh to mine glorious master in such a way!” (Ash)

Don’t add fuel to the fire you stupid-

“Oh! His ‘servant’ huh?! Who do you think you are, you floozy! Stay away from my man!” (Lara A)

ENOUGH! ZUBLOS WILL NOT TOLERATE INSUBORDINATION!

“...” (Lara A and Ash)

Well, they’re still glaring at each other, but at least I can get some words in here. Right, let’s put this in a way that both of them can understand!

FILTHY WRETCH! HOW DARE A LOWLY WORM LIKE YOURSELF ASSUME TO BE ZUBLOS’S SERVANT! YOU ARE NOT WORTHY!

“Eeeek!” (Ash)

*Sssssssssslop*

And now we’re back to the sliding grovel again. I honestly think the reason Ash’s black gothic-style dress is so short is because the hem of its skirt would be in tatters if it hung down below the knees...

“W-w-wise and powerful one. I humbly apologize for mine mistake and beg thee to spare mine life.” (Ash)

Also that barely audible whisper is starting to get on my nerves!

BE QUIET, PATHETIC WRETCH

Ash visibly trembles in response. Well, using fear like this leaves a bad taste in my mouth, but maybe now I can clear up a few misunderstandings! I turn around and face Lara. She looks up at me with a difficult to read expression.

“Someone you know, after all?” (Lara A)

I nod.

“You two weren’t… in a relationship, right?” (Lara A)

I shake my head.

“So you don’t have feelings for this girl.” (Lara A)

I shake my head again.

“But does she have feelings for you?” (Lara A)

I shrug my shoulders. I honestly have no idea. I remember bits and pieces about Ash such as that peculiar dress sense and strange behavior, but that’s about it. It doesn’t matter though. I just need to reassure Lara!

THE GREAT AND MIGHTY ZUBLOS SHALL SPARE ONLY THOSE WHO PLEDGE LOYALTY TO HIM

“Aww, honey! You say the sweetest things!” (Lara A)

She blushes and fidgets a bit. I guess my words got through to her properly. I’m glad.

“What about this girl, though? If she’s someone you know, then is she one of your Ancient Evil comrades?” (Lara A)

Well, she got most of that right, so I’ll nod for now.

“She won’t… harm me, right?” (Lara A)

Right. Ash seems to idolize and worship Zublos, so anything I say should become law, right? I look down at the bent over and trembling ‘Ancient Evil’ that seems determined to bury its head into the dirt.

PITIFUL WEAKLING! KNOW THAT YOU ARE THE LOWEST AMONG ZUBLOS’S SERVANTS AND SLAVES! I SHALL HAVE YOUR HEAD ON A PLATTER SHOULD YOU LET ANY HARM COME TO ANY OF THEM!

“I hear and obey the most evil one.” (Ash)

I turn around and give Lara a thumbs up. She smiles and nods understandingly. Still, I should probably take some precautions, just in case. Unlike Zublos, Ash doesn’t have a super-powerful body so it’ll be fine if I just borrow another pair of [Shackles of Eternal Damnation]. The Runetap City Guard quartermaster still owes me big time for that jockstrap incident, so I’m sure we can work something out.

I don’t think I should leave someone like Ash unattended at all though. In some ways, it’s my responsibility to keep an eye out for Zublos’s former subordinates. Mostly to make sure they don’t hurt others anymore.

PUNY ONE! THE GREAT AND POWERFUL ZUBLOS COMMANDS YOU TO AID IN HIS GLORIOUS CONQUEST!

“Understood. I shall follow thy orders without question.” (Ash)

A job at my place should be good enough for now. All things considered, that cute face and quiet attitude are sure to bring in some customers. Although acting as a waitress might be a waste. If I remember right, Ash created something cold and sweet called Ice Cream. I’ll have to see if we can reproduce it in the kitchen.

Heh. The Hero made a really dumb face when Ash tried to tempt him over to Zublos’s side with a serving of the stuff. It might have worked, but appearing before the Hero while wearing nothing but black laced panties was pushing things a bit too far. If you stop and think about it, there’s no way that uptight self-righteous prick would ever be into someone like Ash.

* * *

“Behold, for I have brought thee thy order! Two plates of Pleasantly Peachy Pancakes and one Strawberry of Despair.” (Ash)

“Thanks a lot missy!” (Male Customer 1)

“Thou art very welcome.” (Ash)

Ash bows to them and goes to wait at another table.

“You were right, she’s super cute! I wonder if she has a boyfriend?!” (Male Customer 2)

“Dude. Come on. She’s clearly not of age yet.” (Male Customer 1)

“I know, I just need to know if I should bother waiting for her. He growth is bound to be amazing!” (Male Customer 2)

“Heh. Can’t argue with that!” (Male Customer 1)

I smile a bit and walk away from prying eyes, towards my office in the back. I really want to keep an eye on things out there, but showing Zublos’s face around people who are trying to eat isn’t a good way to attract customers. I enter my office and double-check the numbers.

Having Ash wait tables has been a huge success, as expected. It’s barely been two weeks, but we’ve already had a 20% increase in the number of customers each day. We might suffer a bit if word gets out that Ash is really a guy, though.

Admittedly, it might just die down as a baseless rumor. After all, even Lara was having a hard time believing it. That cross-dressing habit of his didn’t help my case much, either. His hair, face, body and voice are all so effeminate that it’s impossible to tell his gender unless he strips completely naked. He somehow makes even those Titan-made shackles on his wrists look like stylish bracelets!

Still, a reliable subordinate is a reliable subordinate. I think deep down he’s glad people are admiring his looks rather than cowering in fear at his terrible magic. If he keeps this can-do attitude up I might just leave this Capital branch to him soon. Then I can focus on looking for other suitable locations for the next expansion!

“Uhm, boss?” (Lara A)

Lara pokes her head into my office. I really wish she would stop calling me ‘boss’ at work. It makes me feel a bit lonely…

“That giant spider lady is waiting for you on the roof again.” (Lara A)

I raise an eyebrow at her.

“It’s the white one. And yes, she’s properly dressed.” (Lara A)

I nod and get off my chair. I leave my office and make my way up the stairs, past the second floor and onto the wide, flat roof of my building. I look around and see Skittles waiting patiently for me, her white form and spider-silk gown blending in almost completely with the snow. Hmm... Maybe I should have someone shovel this stuff?

I take a few steps closer to her and cross my arms. This should be close enough for her to ‘hear’ me properly.

What are you doing here, White?

“Just dropping in to check on you. I heard you found one of your old comrades.” (Skittles)

One of Zublos’s comrades.

“Right. Sorry. Well, your precious shop is still standing so I suppose everything is under control.” (Skittles)

You could say that. At least that guy is one of the more docile ones. He cares more about following Zublos around than causing trouble.

“I see. I guess I was worried over nothing.” (Skittles)

Worried? You?! That’s rich! The big and powerful Soulforger is worried about lil’ old me! Cut the crap. You’re just thinking about yourself!

“... Okay, I earned that.” (Skittles)

You’ve earned much worse! Do you even realize how lucky this entire situation is?! History would’ve repeated itself if Zublos didn’t randomly get knocked out by a Titan-forged artifact last year!

“Yes, I know. You said as much during our first… reunion.” (Skittles)

Stop calling it that! You know full well that’s the first time you and I met!

“... I’m sorry.” (Skittles)

Don’t you look away from me! Feast your eyes on your mistake! Do not even once believe I will forgive you for what you’ve done to me!

“I COULDN’T CONTROL HER!” (Skittles)

SO YOU DUMPED HER ON ME!? An old alchemist that wanted to live peacefully and study herbs!? Did you honestly believe a man like me was prepared to handle that sort of thing?!

“I was desperate!” (Skittles)

Yeah, so what else is new?! If you truly wish to apologize, then get this blasted thing out of me this instant!

“...” (Skittles)

But you can’t, can you?! No, you’re too scared of what might happen! What about me?! Do you know how terrified I get at times?! Just imagining what Zublos would do if these shackles break is enough to make me want to hurl! But I can’t even do that right!

“Titan-forged artifacts-” (Skittles)

I KNOW THEY’RE INDESTRUCTIBLE! I know! But that doesn’t help my peace of mind, you worthless bitch! You know full well I can still feel it clawing at the back of my head, gnawing to get out!

Ahh, now I’ve worked myself up! Damn it! Just… leave me be so I can calm down. I don’t want my fiance to see me like this.

...

What’s with that sad smile you’re giving me?

“Despite everything you’ve said… You do realize it’s entirely within your power to crush that side of me now that she’s subdued, yes?” (Skittles)

… I’m no murderer. Her influence may have taken over my body and done unspeakable things, but I refuse to stoop down to her level.

“That is why I owe you. You have every right to annihilate Black for what she… For what we did to you. But you didn’t. You’re a good man, Arthur.” (Skittles)

I was a good man. Now I’m just armageddon waiting to happen. My only solace is I’ve found people who accept what I’ve become.

People who can stop me should the worst come to pass.

“... Yeah.” (Skittles)