IV. A Former Maou, An Old Man, and a Delusional Rival

Ingrid’s Apartment Complex,

Modern Earth, 20xx+2

“That’s why I’m here Fred, I’m giving you a final piece of advice. Which part of that did you not understand?”

The one speaking at that moment was Old Man. His nerves could be seen in his forehead due to anger. He’s Fred’s current editor at that time. He had been always supportive of him ever since he accepted his job as Fred’s editor. Fred’s initial serialization went fine, it almost never had a bad review but it only lasted for a few months. That was due to Fred’s sudden decisions and inconsistent mind.

That was the very first trigger that worsened (but it was really the contrary) the two’s relationship. Almost each and every time they will meet, there was never a time of a peaceful encounter. Either the two would end up fighting while exchanging nonsensical shouting, or it will be only Old Man shouting at Fred. Mostly were the latter.

“I understand you! But I really wanted to pass initial volume drafts!”

“We have to stick to the process Fred, you will need to submit to me a oneshot. That’s what I need, not an initial volume. It was also why I rejected your first draft in the first place!!”

“What if I tell you I don’t want to draw another oneshot?”

“Go die”

“No u”

“HRRRRNGGGG!!!”

Both of them then slammed their hands together like those on late night wrestling show Kyrie had been watching. They were both testing their strength, in which, Old man literally had the upper hand. Nothing good will come out of a frail body of a manga author that never really did some exercise. He had been attending Ingrid’s self-defense lessons occasionally yet he never really took it seriously.

The three were seated at the cramped-for-three-persons bed and just watching the two struggled for power. Being wary of their well-being in mind body and soul, none of them tried to leave any side-comments, nor took Fred’s side and helped him defend his stand.

The duel ended up with Fred’s overwhelming defeat. It looked like hid back broke and he was bent sideways.

“In any case, I will be seeing a oneshot next week. Do it. Also I will let you meet your new editor starting next week.”

I really felt like those words have deep meaning

“Huh? Where are you going?” –Fred asked Old Man wondering and confirming his thoughts.

“I’m a busybody starting today Fred. I will be preparing for the awarding ceremony of a new author that was assigned to me.”

“Eh? Never heard!”

“Of course you haven’t yet! You’re just stuck in this little cradle of yours with your harem all day. How would you even know about the names of your co-authors working with you at the same company?”

“This is not one of your good-time jokes again right?”

“She’s a natural, hundred percent oddball like you guys here. I really think you will get along with each other. I might as well make a meetup between you guys.”

“What’s her pen name?”

“You will know soon.”

Then Old Man left the studio and closed the door.

“What to do now, Fred?” –Ara (imouto) asked Fred.

Fred let out a sigh.

“I guess we do a oneshot.”

“I really think you missed out a very important sentence Old Man let out a while ago Fred!”

A few minutes back flashed within Fred’s memories: ‘I will let you meet your new editor starting next week.’

“Eh?”

Fred looked towards the three girls in front of him with an unpaintable expression on his face.

A sign of death, a deadly realization.

---

Old Man was walking down the road which headed towards the train station. It was not particularly a hot afternoon nor a cold one. Yet, he still wore his coat for sunlight protection. Walking long distances without any shade to walk on to. He sighed and looked back towards Ingrid’s apartment complex.

“Little boy… A storm might be coming to your life. Are you prepared for what’s about to happen?”

Old man never really knew much about Fred’s character background. He just accepted the job knowing a little knowledge about his past: ‘Fred came from a place very far away.’ Yea it sounded too shady.

Yeah, too shady…

But what more choice did he have? He just got back from a long leave from work and were immediately assigned to Fred. He knew of Fred’s talent, and Ingrid have shown him his proof of citizenship. At that time he looked like a kid going to the principal’s office accompanied by his mother. His impression of Fred was shattered. He almost lost faith of himself and thought he was left with a problem child to handle. He even came to a time when he wondered if Ingrid was the one doing all the drawing for Fred.

But deep inside he knew experience had Fred grown so much that he could now stand up on his own. Ingrid, who at the beginning stood like her guardian, was now only at the sides whenever they were having meetings at Fred’s apartment.

“He really was like a kid back then. How much had he grown in just a few years? He was just a total newbie with a talent when he started. Now he’s like…. Uh…”

Old man remembered what just happened back at the apartment complex.

“…Yeap, he’s still needs experience.”

He arrived at the train station.

Going back to the city was not really hard on weekends. The volume of people who goes in and out the city was not that much compared to when business days resumed. Along with the sound of the moving train, he looked outside and caught the great scenery of the vast wheat fields and the small cottages built at the middle.

“It really was a great scenery. But I wonder why hadn’t he moved in the city? Contacting him will be a lot easier if he moved in.”

It’s not like the town was at a very remote area where travelling will took hours to get to the town itself. It was just a few miles away from the border of the city and it was just three stations away. At fastest times it will only take Old man about fifteen to thirty minutes one-way towards Ingrid’s apartment. It was not really a hassle for him. He was not also going back and forth at Fred’s studio during most of the week. They were also keeping in touch via phone.

“I really think I should start a car loan. It might prove helpful in the near future.”

Old man was growing with his career too. He’s started being an editor for his new artist who his editor-in-chief assigned to him. He trust his boss’ decisions and accepted the offer even though it meant letting go of being Fred’s editor. It will be a conflict of responsibilities. Even at his golden age he won’t be able to handle two artists at the same time. It was only natural to choose one. His boss introduced one of his trusted colleagues that will be Fred’s new editor.

At that time he wanted to talk with his boss if he could remain as Fred’s editor and just let his colleague handle the new author. But he did not, instead he asked his boss that he would meet up with Fred one last time before he make his decision. That led to this day.

“Well… Not that I will be needing it much anymore, it can wait.”

He grabbed something from the pocket of his coat. It was his phone.

Ringing out a number, he lift up his phone and started talking.

“Boss, I’ve made my decision…”

I guess I’ll start growing too. It was never too late, huh? Maou Spence-sensei?

“…Let me meet Anemone-sensei.”

---

The three were sitting in order aligned from left to right: Ara, Fred, Kyrie. Their expressions looked like three different dead fish lined up at the wet market for grabs. It was not even an hour since Old man had left their apartment complex with a devastating news.

Ingrid was rolling back and forth at the bed like a kid, entangling herself with the blanket. She really have not much to do. She’s just a helper. She was not really a part of Fred’s team. The news really did not shocked her too much. Got nothing much to do, she just waited for the three to come back to life while continuing what she was doing.

“You know, stuff like these happens a lot at manga industry. It was not really like old man had forsaken you guys due to your incompetency. It’s just that there are always new authors that should need guidance from experienced editors. Think of this also as a good experience for your growth guys.”

Ingrid finally got tired and started talking with them.

“But… But…” –Ara(Imouto) were nearly crying.

“I won’t blame you guys. I’ve not informed you to anticipate these kinds of things. Editors are not with you forever.”

“But even still, to deliver the news that way…”

Fred really looked disheartened. Even though they were always quarrelling it was not like they were really on bad terms, to the point that Fred will have to talk to the editor-in-chief to assign him a new editor. In fact it was the contrary.

“Humu… He told us that he will let us meet your new editor next week, right?”

“Fred, quit sulking. You have a draft to work onto.”

“But… leaving us like this, at this point, it really felt like he abandoned us.”

Ingrid stood up and smacked the sulking kid’s head. That was everything it took to force the reality onto Fred’s thick head.

“I know, I know… Just give me this day to think things over!”

And just as Fred declared his time off: His phone rang at max volume.

“Sigh… Give me a break…”

He looked at the contact. It was a new number. He was puzzled.

“Hello?”

“ORA!! WHAT TOOK YOU SO LONG TO ANSWER?!”

“I’m sorry you have reached a wrong number. The person you are trying to contact is already dead. I don’t do consultations anymore nor still tied with my duties as a Maou. Again, thank you for choosing TownGrocer, please come again sir!”

Then he dropped the call. The phone rang again with the same number.

“Well that’s to be expected.” –Ara looked at the non-functional Fred.

Fred tried to regain his humane functions and answered the phone the second time. “Uhm… Hello?”

“YOU GOT SOME NERVE TO DROP THE CALL OF YOUR NEW EDITOR, HUH?!”

Fred covered the mic of his phone and talked to his unit-mates.

“We’ve got a new storm brewing…”

“Uhm… I didn’t mean to scare you or such. Come please talk. Helloooo? Are you still alive?”

“Uhm… Old Man told us that the meeting with you will be next week, right?”

“Yeah, might as well drop a call to my new fledgeling. Say country boy, Are you a virgin?”

“Say what?”

“HA HA HA HA!! I!! I really wanted to let out that joke for ages!! Also, Old Man!! HA HA HA HA!! I haven’t heard that alias in ages!! Hahaha!!!”

Fred covered the mic and talked with the three girls again

“I’m scared! I feel threatened!! Save me Ingrid!!”

“Okay okay, so much for the jokes, let’s get to the main topic.”

“Ye-Yes!”

“As ‘Old Man’ informed you—pffft! Puhahaha!! I will be your new editor starting next week. Pleased to meet you. But wait I haven’t meet you yet. Because we’re talking over the phone!!”

“Say what?”

“BUHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!.... Phew what a laugh!”

The other three girls were just looking silently at Fred, being worried of his mental state, talking to the nutjob over the phone.

“By the way, My name is Seria. I will take care of you.”

“Oh, pleased to meet you too Ms. Seria, I will be on your care.”

“Nice, now we’re talking. Now I mailed you four tickets to the awarding of the new authors competition, you know, the one you won a few years ago. Old Man might have told you already, he will be assigned to a new author. I hope you’ll be able to come, your girlfriend and assistants too. I hope you will be able to come.”

“Uh, thank you for your patronage.”

“No worries, no worries! You might also want to meet who your previous editor was assigned to, the pen name is Anemone-sensei.”

---

Highways at the city are filled with vehicles going here and there all throughout the several parts of the city. There were several delivery trucks, private vehicles, cabs and busses. Entering a highway would be the best way if you wanted to get to your destination fast. There are multiple exits that leads to the main roads where the usual residential parts of the city are located.

Driving among the vehicles was a black sedan. It was not a luxury car nor a distinguished latest model, but rather a simple black sedan that follows traffic rules regularly. After driving towards an exit the sedan continued heading towards its destination: an apartment complex.

The apartment complex was more presentable and polished-looking compared to the ones that Ingrid has. It was three stories with four rooms each floor. The lot area was not as big as Ingrid’s and it could only span a few square meters of open yard besides the floor area. The room was not that spacious, yet it is spacious enough for a single person.

The city rates on these apartment complex cost a lot more due to the accessibility to most of the business centers. Due to those high rates, the owners will be able to maintain and renovate their complex as much as they could, considering the units were all occupied. It was located near the main road but not literally beside it. It was still accessible via vehicles like other houses.

The sedan parked beside the perimeter of the yard and there came out Old man.

He got something from his pocket at the left chest part of his coat: an aviator glasses that should block the harmful rays of the sun from his eyes.

“Oddballs per oddballs. Why does the editor-in-chief always bother to assign me Earth’s living oddities? Can’t he just make a happy by giving me a peaceful job?”

He checked if the doors of the car were locked and took a quick check of the sides. He loved his new car.

“The car really proved to be too useful at events like these…”

He looked at the apartment complex again and sighed.

“…well considering the kind of work manga authors does, never was a low chance to encounter individuals who have been affected mentally of what they are writing.”

He entered the vicinity and climbed towards the third floor. He then walked towards the corner unit where the name indicated foreign characters which he supposedly read as ‘Anemone’

“Sigh… Well… Here we go…”

Fred bless me with anger and fury as I’ll be confronting another demon besides you.

DING-DONG!!

There was no answer.

DING-DONG!! X3

No one sill answers.

DING-DONG!! X10

“DIIIIINGDOOOOOOONG!!!”

The door of the neighbour unit opened and a frightened tenant peeked towards Old man.

“Sorry. I’m sorry. I’m not someone suspicious, trust me.”

White polo, black slacks, trench coat, aviator glasses and a leather cap. Yes Old man was not suspicious.

“Please!! I’m the editor of the mangaka that resides this unit! Look at my business card!!” –he tried to persuade the tenant by giving him his calling card. Then the tenant shut his doors and locked them. He didn’t wanted to be involved much more.

“Sigh… Well, there goes the reputation of an old man.”

After calming himself down, he remembered something. He lifted the potted plant beside at the corner a bit and grabbed the key under. It was something only him, Anemone, and/or the landlord knew.

He opened the door and immediately closed it. He was thankful there were no cameras installed at that apartment complex. It might pose a risk in the near future but he was glad there weren’t any installed by that time. The lights were off but the bright light from the sun outside should be enough to light up the entire room. The curtains were swaying and the glass-panel window towards the veranda were opened slightly.

The room was a unit / a studio for one. Beside the wall is a small bed, fit for the small body of someone who’s sound asleep at that moment.

“She really acts like someone from Fred’s team, but the difference is she’s quite alone.”

It was then Old man noticed that she was not wearing anything under the blanket wrapped around her.

“GOOD GRACIOUS! OH GOD NO!!” –Old man immediately looked away from her.

She had a body of someone who’s definitely growing, but not exaggerated like Ara nor lacking like Kyrie.

It is safe to assume that it should be like Ingrid’s when she’s way younger.

He immediately shook his head as he remembered Fred’s killing intent.

“No nonononononono!! I’m sorry Fred.” –he then looked up and asked forgiveness from his God.

That was when he immediately noticed the thing attached at the corner top right of the room. It was every house breaker’s arch nemesis: an electronic device that records footages of what’s happening in a certain span of area it could reach. In fact Old man was too thankful a while ago when it was not installed outside the unit. But that thing was installed at the part of the unit where most coincidences, misunderstanding and death aligned altogether. A cctv camera.

What could pose even more dangerous that the situation Old man had?:

A naked young gal who’s still at the stage where she’s growing her feminine parts of her body, semi-wrapped around a ‘not-so-sure-if-thin’ blanket which some daring portions of her skin were visible by naked eye;

A ‘not-really-so-suspicious’ Old man, wearing white polo, black slacks, trench coat, aviator glasses and a leather cap, looking at the cctv camera at that moment.

“Trust me, whoever you are… I’m most probably not a burglar and I’m most probably nooooOOOT a molester. I’m not a pedophile. Please. I’m just a humble editor.”

He started talking to inanimate objects out of fear. He’s sweating cold droplets as he was about to be branded as a burglar / molester / pedophile. Most of all, he was about to lose his years of built up great career as a mangaka editor. All if the video footage were to be passed on to the police by whoever was controlling the device was.

Then he heard movements of the blanket at the bed behind him. The sleeping cause of all of his misfortune that day was about to wake up.

He took a glance at his back and saw the girl seated and slouching at her small bed. The white blanket were covering half of her face, her growing breasts and the lower portion of her body.

“Quick… Put on some dress, gal. You don’t want to add fuel on the fire that’s incinerating me right now.”

She looked at Old man and twinkled her eyes a few times.

“yaaaaaAAAWWN! Oh, Old Man you’re already here. I told you to always knock before you enter.”

“Knock, you say?” –The nerves started to appear through Old Man’s forehead as he hear the words ‘knock before you enter’

“Oh, wait I’m not on fully awakened speech yet. Let me adjust quite a bit.”

She tried to imitate a long manteau using the blanket that covered her naked body and started talking in a way that humans could not comprehend.

“My loyal servant! What brings you so suddenly at my Royal Palace? Come tell me, and the queen of darkness shall reward you appropriately.”

Old Man snapped.

“Listen here… you piece of little shit. You need to first do something about this camera before I smack you with reality.”

The girl tried to look composed, but the terror lingering in front of her were way far too stronger than her delusions and insanity.

“Anemone-sensei… please… do… something… before I snap you.”

“HIIIII!!!!”

Old man remembered these kinds of scenes. They were the same as during his first meetups with Fred. It felt quite nostalgic, yet the danger level of what just happened was way above the charts of being just a misunderstanding. He felt relieved that Anemone did not acted childish anymore and immediately obeyed him. The cctv was hers too and not controlled by that landlord.

It took a few more minutes before Anemone turned to her usual clothing: a fitted daring suit which you could only see at spy or fantasy movies.

“So, what does a loyal servant came here at my Royal palace for?”

Old man ignored her delusional statements as it still conveys her sense of speech.

“What do you mean by that? Did I not notice you of the event tonight?”

“Oh you mean the soul harvest? Actually. It really is a good time for you to notify me. You see… I’m quite a busybody and I’ve got tons of royal events to attend to on my end. I thank you for your immediate notification my loyal servant.”

“I realy did not understand that… But tonight is the Fresh Aspirants awarding ceremony! It’s your big night!!”

“Eh? Come again?” –Anemone began talking straight as she was confused too.

Oh fuck…

Anemone then looked at the calendar and realized that today was the same day as the one circled in red. Shocked as much as she wanted to, she immediately regained her composed delusional statements.

“Yeah. The Royal Queen really did forgot about the grand event tonight.” –she answered honestly and eyes closed.

The nerves popped out of Old man’s head just like those days with Fred.

That day almost all of the tenants at that apartment complex were alarmed by a loud shouting inside the corner unit at the third floor.