CHAPTER 17

[Pelica, Terror of the Night Sky, Witch]

[Demon Territory, De Gracia—Guest Mansion]

I was able to get to the guest mansion of De Gracia in the afternoon. Having such pleasant weather is really good when doing such tasks. There was a good amount of rain a week earlier, so this weather was refreshing from the sudden downpour I had to go through.

Compared to the human mansion, this place is far cozier to walk around. The guards instantly recognized me, only asked what I was doing here, and let me in without much probing.

While some would say that the demon’s way of security might be less than those of humans, it’s quite the opposite. Humans are much more prone to deception because of their gullibility and a lifespan of only around 70-90 years, while a demon-kin can live about thrice as long, making them less prone to errors when judging due to their experiences in life.

So, while demons may seem like they’re doing their job less, they’re doing their job much more effectively.

As someone who values such ideals, I’m, to a certain extent, proud of seeing it in action.

Efficiency is a wise man’s asset, after all.

“Hmm hmm~”

Despite the mansion currently being used by guests, it was previously owned by the Demon Lord Gamori, a deceased factionless Demon Lord. He was said to have a hobby of collecting artifacts, statues, treasures, and even corpses. Be it an animal or a human, he collected severed body parts like limbs, torsos, and heads.

I wanted to have a glimpse of those, but it seems like they were all either confiscated or outright stolen by others.

While I praise demons for being wise, I also despise their self-centeredness.

Hah......

Let that be another thought. As of now, I’m walking with a knight towards the room of the person named Deilos.

“Madame Pelica, this is the young lord Deilos’ room.”

“Oho~ much appreciated.”

“This one is honored.”

When asking the guard, it seems like the person my client is trying to send to is the son of a Demon Lord. Who was it again? The 71st, Dantalion? I don’t know who that is. Well, I’m not invested enough to care, anyway.

I knocked on the door.

“Who is it?”

Someone’s voice came from the room.

“Is this the room of the young lord Deilos? My apologies for the sudden intrusion, but I’m here to give a letter.”

“Come in.”

“Please excuse me~”

I opened the door. My body instantly became stiff the moment I saw what was happening inside the room.

......Ara?

A man stood behind the girl with light blue hair and put his hands on her back.

“Young lord, somebody’s watching......”

“She’s here to deliver something, right? Don’t mind her. Instead, tell me where it feels better. Is it here?”

The maid with light blue hair moaned. Her back was exposed while her hands were holding onto the clothes that were on her breast.

“This place, correct?”

The man behind her began to move his hands. He wore nothing up top and only had black pants. After sliding his fingers downward to the maid’s shoulder blades, he finally made the motion to press on her spine upwards, making her fair skin ripple under the pressure.

She moaned again.

“That place is...... that place is......”

Although my mind is quite pure, the scene before me isn’t quite that. Ara? Ararara?

Hmm?

They’re both sweaty and half-naked.

How should I go about this?

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Hmm?

Hmm?

“E—excuse me.”

I closed the door before me.

That was the best option. Yes, yes. If I were to stay there, then it’d be awkward for both me and them. If I were to exit without notice, then it’d be disrespectful. So, so. I’ve chosen the middle ground by announcing my exit while also leaving. I’m undeniably great at making last-second choices.

It is fairly normal for nobles to be doing these things, so I’m already well informed in the formalities when facing them.

“Ah......”

I can still hear the voices inside.

This will be one gruesome waiting.

Hmm hmm~

“Here?”

“Y—yes.”

Hmm hmm~

“I’m going to push a bit harder.”

“Alright.”

Hmm hmm~

“It’s refreshing, isn’t it?”

“As the young lord says.”

Hmm hmm~

It took them quite a while before the noises stopped. The half-naked man opened the door. Sweat dripped from his scarred chest and wet hair. The inside of the room was musty from both their body heat and bodily fluids. The man walked towards the bed and wiped his body while the maid fixed her hair and undergarments.

“Oh, I forgot. What were you here again?”

The man asked me.

After wordlessly standing at the edge of the room, I straightened my nerves and spoke.

“E—ehem. Are you the young lord Deilos?”

“Yes, that is me.”

“Then, if you’re so kind as to let this little witch give this letter to the young lord’s servant. It would be an honor to do so. The maid is the young lord’s servant, isn’t she? ”

“Yes? That’s a weird question, isn’t it clear?”

“Is that so?” I went to the maid. “Then, let me give this letter to you, fair miss.”

She nodded as she took the letter. I bowed a bit before angling my body towards the door.

“Then, without further ado. This little witch will take her leave.”

The man’s eyes were fixed on me.

Why are you looking at me? I should leave. Now.

I stiffly walked towards the exit, the glorious exit awaiting me. Finally, I can get out. But when I put my hand on the doorknob, the young lord Deilos called out to me.

“You’re a witch, correct?”

I stopped in my tracks. So....... close......

“Y—yes?”

“Oh, good. Just what I’m looking for.”

He put the towel around his neck and walked towards the pile of books on the table where the maid sat, feeling her shoulders. He lifted one of the books there and showed it to me. It was a book for studying runes.

“Would you like to teach me some magic?”

“Eh?”

Teach? Magic?

I tilted my head.

“Is that a no?”

“Well, uhm. If you’d like to study magic, then I recommend you enter an academy or find a much more suitable tutor. I’m, for all I know, only a humble little witch.”

“I’ve heard from someone that witches are the best place to learn magic. Though my request doesn’t require me to use magic in the first place, I’m just looking for someone to teach me a few things in a few days. Not a full-on course, but more akin to needing someone to tell me if I’m wrong or not.”

What’s this, what’s this? He wants me to teach him?

Though I have taught people in the past, I’ve only been teaching them the nitty-gritty and how to do some workarounds when using magic. I can’t necessarily comment on my own teaching, but I say I did decently enough that the ones I did teach were able to take in what I’ve taught them.

“Well, what do you say?”

He asked me while putting on a shirt.

“Hmm......”

I thought for a while.

I’m quite free for now. There isn’t anything else I’m tasked with doing. Besides, I did have fun teaching those people back then. Especially a young knight. He was exceptionally good at following orders, though his magical proficiency was quite low, but he was still able to do the basics.

“Okay.” I gave him my response. “Though, my teachings are quite expensive despite the lack of content and the fact that I would be informal. Please don’t expect much from me.”

“That’s fine. How about starting tomorrow? Though my maid and I would be practicing dancing around noon.”

“Dancing?”

“Yes. As you’ve seen earlier, I was massaging her strains when I accidentally tripped and we both fell. That only means I’m not adept in that field. I’m not used to dancing, so I’ll learn it. The same goes for magic. Do lessons after we’re done dancing sound good?”

So that’s what it was? So I’m not dealing with a perverted noble? I sighed a tiny bit, relaxing my nerves. Good, good. I don’t want to end up within the maws of those kinds of people.

“That sounds about right.”

I put my head up.

“If I arrive early, is it fine to watch you two practice? Well, depending if you'd like this little witch to watch, that is.”

“It’s fine,” he grinned and extended his hand. “Glad to be working with you.”

I shook it.

“This little witch will also have a fun time.”

. . .

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