『The Avarid Wood Is a small area between Mount Urth and the Norva River. Danger Level: minimal. The goblins in the southern edge build their village in the trees. The North is the hunting ground of harpies who nest at the foot of Mount Urth.』

You don’t say? So, what should I expect when meeting the harpies? Are they going to turn us away the same way the goblins did?

『Information: unavailable. The goblins’ decision to turn away from the demon lord was not a referenceable memory.』

Fair enough. Enika seemed pretty upset about it as well. Does she normally act so … aggressive when she doesn’t get her way?

『Enika: The daughter of Lord Vesta and Lady Lyria. She takes after her mother.』

So … is that a yes then?

『Yes.』

“What are you staring off for, Master? You do know the way, don’t you?”

“Y-yeah, I was just thinking. It shouldn’t take much longer now.”

What about Arileia? She seems nice. What’s her story?

『...』

『Information: unavailable.』

Oh, come on. Don’t be like that. She’s taken care of you this whole time, hasn’t she? There has to be a thing or two you want to say about her.

『...』

『Information: unavailable. Current access level: 1. Required level: Special.』

Special? Isn’t that against the rules?

『Access parameters: unavailable. Sorry, the information is sealed. Even from me.』

Aren’t they your memories? I more or less understand keeping an outsider like me out of them, but not being able to access them yourself doesn’t make sense.

『...』

Alright then, what about you? What kind of person was the demon lord before … this?

『As a collection of memories with no ego, I am incapable of making such judgments.』

Meaning?

『Information: unavailable.』

“Gah! Why are you so useless!?”

“I'm sorry?”

“Oh, not you, Lei-Lei.”

Enika glares at me in an intimidating manner.

“O-or you, Enika. I was, uh, talking to myself?”

“How can you sound so unconvinced with your own excuses?”

“I-information: unavailable.”

Nailed it.

“What?”

“Nothing.”

*Crack*

“What was that?”

“It’s just the branches. These woods are old. But, I suppose you already know that, don’t you, Master?”

“Haha, of course I do …”

*Crack*

A couple more small branches fall.

『They’re watching.』

Don’t say such terrifying things so casually!

『My apologies. We’ve entered the harpies’ territory.』

“O~h, so it’s just the harpies watching us.”

“I didn’t sense anything. Are you sure you’re not just imagining things?”

“No, I think she’s right. They’re letting us know they’re here without giving away their position or numbers. Right, Milady?”

“Right, sure! It’s just like last time, isn’t it, Arileia?”

“No …?”

The elf snickers.

“Last time we were guests. They’re definitely treating us more cautiously this time. These are the same tactics they use when hunting.”

“What’s the matter, Master? You should know these things, shouldn’t you?”

“Of course! I just … misremembered is all.”

“Uh-huh.”

What’s wrong with her? I thought she wanted me to keep playing the role of demon lord in front of Arileia.

Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.

“Milady, it looks like we’re reaching a clearing.”

“Oh, good, we’re almost there, my feet are killing me. Come on Enika, don’t slow down now.”

“As you wish.”

A blur of feathers flurries past us as we step out from the trees as two harpies land on either side of a third one who appears to have been waiting for us.

『Tuwa: Daughter of the Hal’la tribe’s leader, Toa’ka (More information: available). Captain of the special harpy soldiers, Valkyrie.』

“I didn’t expect a welcoming party, Tuwa.”

“And we didn’t expect such a special guest. Especially one the rumors say is dead. My mother wishes to speak to you, demon lord.”

“Of course.”

The harpy smiles before casting a glance at the two beside her and flying off. Her two Valkyrie companions quickly follow.

“Looks like you’ll have to climb to keep up today, Enika.”

Arileia’s wings spread as her feet lift from the ground.

“As much fun as that sounds, the demon lord was kind enough to offer to carry me, which I think I’ll accept.”

“I did what?”

“Oh come on, you’re not going to force me to walk just because I can’t fly are you?”

“Honestly, I don’t feel like you would let me even if I wanted to.”

“What are you saying? A mere elf like me has no such power over the great and mighty demon lord.”

When you hold your arms out to make it easier for me to grab you, it doesn’t make your words very convincing.

“Will this work?”

“Just don’t let go.”

“Wow, you’re pretty small.”

“Don’t make me hit you.”

With my arms wrapped around Enika I fly up to join Arileia so we can follow the harpy escort together.

“By the way, how is it that you can fly?”

Enika speaks low to make sure Arileia can’t hear her.

“Well, I’m the demon lord, aren’t I?”

“Physically, perhaps, but that’s not what I mean. From what I understand, your world lacks magic does it not? You shouldn’t know how to use it and be just as grounded as I am.”

“… How do you know that …?”

“What about you? How did you know about the Hal’la? You’re not supposed to have any information that I haven’t given you.”

“I- it was just a feeling? Maybe it has something to do with being in the demon lord’s body?”

Somehow, I feel like telling Enika about Echo right now would be a bad idea. At least until I know more about the two of them.

“I doubt it. You’re mind should be completely separate from the demon lord’s. If there’s something you’re not telling me, just know that I’ll figure it out eventually. I hope you’ll be prepared when that happens.”

“…“

“I have my own question. Forgetting about what I do and don’t know about this world, didn’t you want to keep the truth behind my identity a secret from Arileia? Isn’t openingly doubting me like earlier kind of risky?”

“That can’t be helped. I still don’t trust you. Besides, if Arileia figures you out, it’s your fault not mine.”

“How is that fair?”

Enika stops responded as we come closer to a small settlement sticking out from the mountain face. At the top of the settlement is a large, ancient-looking, tree with a house built into it reminiscent of a tree fort.

None of the buildings I can see have the kind of doors on them that you would expect on a house, but instead of tall windows near the top of one or more walls. It’s through one of these windows that Tuwa flies through, leaving her two companions waiting outside. Next to enter is Arileia, followed by me and Enika.

On the other side of the window is a large room with a high ceiling. There are several other harpies roaming around the inside of the room, but what is most eye catching is the ornate throne-like structure on the far side. Stretched across the wide throne is a silver bar with a large harpy adorned with flashy gold jewelry perched at its center.

"Thank you for agreeing to see me, Demon Lord. I'd heard about what happened in your castle and feared the worst. You are like one of my own hatchlings after all."

The regal blue and green feathers of the harpy perched in front of us fan out as she speaks.

"Are you comparing the demon lord to a baby chicken?"

"Calm down, Enika, from a harpy that's high praise."

“Indeed. I mean no disrespect, young elf. The demon lord is someone of whom I hold much gratitude for. After hearing rumors of her death, I could not hide my sadness, even from my own flock.”

Wow, you must have had quite the influence on her, huh, Echo?

『Reminder: I am not the demon lord, but merely a collection of memories.』

Yeah, yeah, so what made the harpies trust you, I mean the demon lord, so much?

『The harpies were gradually losing their hunting grounds to the rising human population in the area. The harpy tribes began to turn on each other as their resources dwindled. It was our group that brought in extra resources to calm them while simultaneously reclaiming their stolen land. The remaining harpies in the area gathered together to form a single clan which placed Toa’ka as their leader.』

Oh, wow, that’s pretty impressive. I always imagined a demon lord more as a taker than a giver. Giving away your own resources in order to help another is rather benevolent for a demon lord, isn’t it?

『Indeed. That’s why we followed Arileia’s suggestion.』

?

『The resources we delivered to the harpies were taken from the humans we helped relocate.』

Yeah … that sounds more demon lord. Eloquently put, by the way.

“When I heard that you had entered the Avarid Wood, I could not contain myself. I wished so much for this day to come.”

Toa’ka’s jewelry clings against itself as she leaps down from her perch and stands before me.

“We welcome you back to our lands, demon lord. Please feel free to use them however you wish.”

The rest of the harpies in the room follow their leader as she kneels.

“Does that include the baths in the spring?”

“Of course. Do you plan on gracing us with your presence for long?”

“For a few days at least.”

“Then we must prepare a place for you to rest at once. We should have a small feast to celebrate your good health as well. Tuwa.”

“Yes, Mother?”

“Have Ka’la and La’ka escort our guests.”

“Of course.”

After a sharp whistle, the two harpies that had been accompanying Tuwa earlier arrive through the window to join us.

“You called?”

“Ka’la, La’ka, give our guests a tour while they wait for a room to be prepared for them. And, don’t leave them alone unless they request privacy.

“As you command. Well then, if you’ll follow us, Demon Lord.”