Sleeping outside has never been on my list of things I like to do. I’ve never even been camping, so suddenly sleeping under the stars seemed more than I thought myself capable of. Of course, it seems I’m more capable than I imagined, as I fell asleep before I even realized. How do you know I’m asleep, you ask?

Why, because of the beautiful woman I can see standing right in front of me. But, why does that automatically mean that I’m dreaming? Surely I’ve seen beautiful women before, right?

Of course! I’m traveling with two of them right now, am I not? But that’s not the point. It’s that this one is particularly special. So special that this being a dream is the only plausible scenario. I’m telling you, I’d recognize that bust anywhere. It’s mine!

“Wow, seeing my new body from an outside perspective sure is something. Have I really been walking around rocking hips like that this whole time?”

“Connection acquired.”

“Wh-what?

The me that isn’t me starts to speak the moment I poke at it with curiosity.

“Message discovered, please hold.”

“Thank you for holding. Playing back message …”

“Greetings, this is the demon lord.”

“I know. Like I said, I’d recognize that chest anywhere. What’s going on here? Are you me, or am I me?”

“By now you must be confused. I apologize for pulling you from your own world, but it was a necessary action. What you are seeing now is no more than an echo my memories which I’ve left behind to guide you. You can inquire upon these memories whenever you find yourself lost, but know that not all of my memories will be available to you. In order to reach deeper into my memory banks, certain conditions must be met. For your own safety.”

Suddenly the echo’s eyebrows furrow with worry.

“Warning: As you reunite with my followers, be wary. One of them has definitely betrayed me.”

“Wait! Who?! Don’t just leave it at that! I hate suspense!”

“End of message.”

“Nooo!”

“Level One: Unlocked. Playing message …”

“Welcome back. You can now access memories categorized as level 1. These include information about the world you are now a part of as well as requests that will move you forward in becoming a proper demon lord. Completing these requests may also unlock further levels.”

What is this? Some sort of RPG?

“Would you like an overview of level 1?”

“Might as well. It’s better than staying in the dark about everything …”

“Acknowledged. Loading …”

“Our world is known as Elda. There are three major continents; Meris, Taigrand, and Deilorn. You are now in Taigrand. Taigrand contains two main powers; the human kingdom of Derival, and the Elven nation of Moriel. Moriel is currently in the midst of a long civil war. Smaller states exist around Taigrand, but most are tied in some way to the two aforementioned realms. Further information available …”

*Squeeze*

“The races found in Taigrand include: Humans, Elves, Dwarves, Goblins, Orcs, Ogres, Giants, Trolls--”

*Squeeze*

“--Trolls, trolls, trolls, trolls--”

“Connection interference detected. Attempting to bypass …”

*Squeeze*

What is that sensation? I’ve never felt anything like that on my back before. It’s almost as if …

Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

*Squeeze*

“Failed. Unable to bypass interference. Severing connection.”

“Wait, no, no, no, stop! I wasn’t ready to-- huh?”

A~nd the dream ends. More importantly though …

“Please don’t go …”

It appears I wasn’t the only one dreaming. Arileia is pressed against me as if trying to prevent me from slipping away. The softness of her voice suggests that she’s still sleeping, but her claws dig at me as she grips my shoulder.

I want to pull myself away, but she’s strong. Like, unnaturally strong. Really. I’m not just enjoying learning the shape of her body from the imprint it’s leaving on my back. Is this plumpness power due to her dragon blood?? I’ll just have to endure for now … At least until she wakes up.

“M … Milady?”

“Oh, good, you’re awake. Would you mind releasing me now?”

“!!”

Arileia jumps away from me and clears her throat while trying to regain her composure.

“M-my apologies.”

“No, no, not at all. I’m sure you’re the reason I slept so soundly.”

If only it wasn’t for that strange dream … I wonder what that was about?

“By the way, where did Enika disappear to?”

“What are you saying, Master? I’m right here.”

“Unfortunately.”

“What was that, lizard? And here I thought I was doing you a favor by not disturbing you while you cozied up to the demon lord.”

“Co-- I wasn’t cozying up to anyone. I’m just … cold bloody … and couldn’t help myself.”

Can your face really flush like that when you’re cold blooded?

“Really? That’s a shame. I think the demon lord was really enjoying it.”

Well, she’s not wrong.

“So, where to?”

“I don’t have anything in mind at the moment. This Forest Queen really twisted my plans around. What about you, lizard, you’ve been the one making calls up until now, right?”

“I’ll follow the demon lord wherever she decides to go …”

“Oh, right.”

Well that’s not going to help us any …

Even if whatever my dream told me was real, that only leaves me with the name of this continent … and trolls. Should I just head in a random direction?

『Connection acquired ...』

“Wah!”

“What is it?”

“Enemies?!”

『Searching ...』

“N-no, umm …”

『Information found. Four hours north of current position; Hot spring (more information: available). Associated races; Harpy (more information: available). Associated memories; Arileia (more information: unavailable).』

Wh-what is this? The echo of the demon lord that showed up in my dream?

『Correct.』

Why are you suddenly filling my head with thoughts about hot springs? 

『The hot spring located at the north-eastern edge of Avarid Wood and the base of Mount Urth is within the territory of the Hal’la tribe (more information: available). Arileia (more information: unavailable) and I visited the Hal’la harpy baths when negotiations with the harpies had reached their conclusion. It was enjoyable.』

Okay, but what am I supposed to do with this kind of information?

『Return?』

Oh … Good idea.

『Praise accepted.』

“So, how about revisiting the Hal’la baths? They’re near here, right? We can, I don’t know, regroup there, or something. Rest and recovery.”

“That’s … actually not a bad idea. I would have preferred if we could have stayed amongst the goblins for a while, but I’m sure the harpies will welcome us. However, what do you mean by revisit?”

“I believe she was talking to me, Enika. As you weren’t invited last time, you wouldn’t recall.”

“Indeed. But I shouldn’t be the only one who can’t recall.”

“?”

“Well, whatever. Like I said, it’s a good idea, and it will give you a place to stay while I have a word with this so called Forest Queen. I fear I don’t know the way however, since I was not invited before. Maybe you’ll be able to show us the way, Master?”

“A … haha … ha …”

I don’t like how she said that.

『Agreed.』

Shut up.