A Demon Lord’s Tale: Dungeons, Monster Girls, and Heartwarming Bliss

ou think? Tasty, right?”
“Yup!” said Illuna.
“They’re really hot, but really good!”
“Hotasty!” said Shii.

Both had started digging in the moment the clam-filled plate was placed on the table.

“There’s more where that came from, so eat as much as you wanoah!?” I reacted with a jolt as a head suddenly popped out of the barbecue.
“O-oh, it’s just you, Rei, you spooked the crap out of me.”

The wraith girl seemed quite happy that her prank had turned out as well as it did, as she made sure to flash a huge, toothy grin before diving back through the grill and running away. Alright, so total side note.
I can’t say this out loud, so I’m at least going to say it in my head ‘cause I’m really proud of it.
I only just figured out how to tell the three wraiths apart at a glance.
They pretty much look the same, and being sisters really isn’t helping.
It’s kinda sad, but honestly, their personalities are really the only reason I can tell them apart. Rei always smiles after a prank, while Rui kinda makes one of those “Yes I did it!” faces.
Lowe’s expression doesn’t really change at all when she does it.
She’ll just spin around in circles a few times instead.

It went without saying that Rei’s sisters were also attending the party, but unlike her, both were still possessing their dolls.
Rui floated around Rir’s head and played with his ears, while Lowe spent her time observing the scenery from atop Orochi’s head.
They were basically doing whatever the hell they wanted, which, in my books, was totally okay.
It was cute, after all.

“Is the carpaccio ready yet?”
“Yes, My Lord,” said Leila, as she presented a plate topped with thin slices of salmon and octopus.

Oh wow, talk about skillfully made.
The way it’s arranged makes it look so goddamn appetizing.

“Do you truly intend on consuming that?” asked Lefi, as she eyed the octopus slices.
“Of course.” I nodded.
“I know you think it’s weird, but don’t write it off without trying it.
Octopuses are delicious.”

I picked up a slice with my chopsticks and brought it over to her mouth.
She was a bit hesitant at first, but in the end, gave in to my insistence and took a bite.

“Well?”

“…I cannot say that your statement was false.
It is delicious,” she said, with a frustrated frown.

Heh.
This isn’t even the octopus’ final form.
If you think this is good, then wait till you try takoyaki.
I bet you’ll love it so much you’ll never be able to bring yourself to call an octopus gross ever again.

“Whatever the case, Yuki, it is time for you to retire from the grill,” said Lefi.
“I shall be responsible for ensuring that all is thoroughly prepared.”
“Works for me.
Just make sure you make more than just your favorites though, alright? Balance in all things and whatnot.”

‘Cause yeah, knowing you, you’ll probably just make the things you like and ignore everything else.

“I’ll make sure she throws in some veggies from time to time for variety,” said the hero, as she enjoyed a piece of shrimp.
“There is no need for you to act with such restraint, Nell,” said Lefi.
“You are free to eat whatever it is that pleases you.
There is no need to resort to the consumption of mere plants.”
“Well uhm… I kinda like veggies…”

The brunette’s statement led the dragon to give her a confused stare.

“I do not understand.
Whyever would you prefer to consume mere grass over a delectable piece of meat?”
“Wow, Lefi, wow,” I said.
“That’s harsh, Lefi.
Iunno if it’s just me, but I kinda feel like you owe just about every farmer ever an apology.”
“They’re right, Lefi,” said Lyuu, as she munched on a head of cabbage.
“Your pores’ll start cloggin’ up if you don’t eat any veggies.
Shyin’ away from ‘em ain’t good for keepin’ pretty.”

The way she’s eating that thing is… kinda cute and almost animal-like.
Fuck it.
I’mma just go ahead and say it.

“You know what, Lyuu? You remind me of a hamster sometimes.”
“H-huh? W-where that come from, Master? I’m not even sure if you were meanin’ it as praise.”
“Why wouldn’t it be?” I said with a shrug.
“Hamsters are adorable, so all it means is that you are too.”
“You’re not trickin’ me that easily, Master.
I know you well enough to say that when you’re makin’ a face like that, you’re really just makin’ fun of me.”

Oh shit, she knows.

“Well then… I see you’re learning.”
“Of course I am, Master! Even little ol’ me learns a new thing or two everyday!”

She crossed her arms, puffed up her not-so-impressive chest, and held her head high. Trying to act cocky just makes her look like an idiot.
And I love her for it.
It’s so cute.

“Uhm… Leila, what are poors?” asked Illuna.
“Pores are tiny openings in the surface of your skin,” explained the sheep-horned demon.
“It’s often said that your skin will grow oily instead of being soft and smooth if you don’t eat enough vegetables.”
“Wow… I guess I’ll have to eat lots of veggies then.” said Illuna.
“Can I have beautiful skin if I eat lots of veggies too?” asked Shii.
“O-of course,” said Leila, with a bit of a stammer.
“I’m sure that’s exactly what will happen.”

Shii didn’t exactly have skin, or at least not human skin.
As such, the question had been so bizarre and misplaced that it even managed to throw Leila of all people for a loop. Well then.
That doesn’t happen very often.
Not that I don’t understand where she’s coming from.
I don’t even know if eating things actually does anything for Shii, seeing as how she gets everything she needs from mana and whatnot.

“What do you think, My Lord?” asked Leila, in a whisper.
“I’m not quite sure Shii operates under the same nutritional principles as us humanoids, given the wide variety of substances she is capable of safely consuming.”
“Honestly… I dunno.
That’s a good question.”

I spent a few moments contemplating the slime’s biological needs, but eventually gave up. Wait, what’s Enne been up to this whole time? She’s more or less been totally silent.

After a bit of looking around, I spotted the kimono-clad sword at one of the table’s corners, with a plate featuring a little bit of everything set up right in front of her.

“What do you think, Enne? Enjoying yourself?”
“…Lots,” she said, with an energetic nod.

Good.
If you’re happy, then I am too.

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