Chapter 31: Type-45 Rivets and the Divine Alloy Chestplate

Not only Triss, but even I was shocked by Syl’s sudden declaration. 

I instinctively thought she was just joking.

But Syl didn’t look like she was joking at all.

What really caught me off guard, though, was Triss’s extremely intense reaction.

“Y-Y-You… Who are you—Ow ow ow!”

She bit her tongue mid-freakout, but despite the pain, her soot-smeared little face was filled with tension as she stared at Syl, wide-eyed.

The two magitech golems by her workbench seemed to sense something. 

With heavy clunks and whirrs, they stomped over and took defensive positions at her sides.

And in my head, a completely unrelated thought popped up:

“Man, it’s impressive this tiny workshop hasn’t blown up by now.”

…Wait no, focus. The important part was—

“Shouldn’t your first instinct be to deny it?”

“Oh—right.” Triss blinked, realization dawning. 

“I—I’m not a demon! You—You’re crazy, don’t spout nonsense!”

But she was met with two deadpan stares that practically screamed, “Too late, dummy.”

“Trying to deny it now? Bit late for that.”

Honestly, I was shocked too. 

A demon clan member hiding out within the Human Empire? That was insane.

But her flustered reaction left no room for doubt.

After a beat of stunned silence, Triss’s cheeks turned bright red. She quickly ducked behind her golems like a kid hiding behind mom’s skirt.

“H-How did you find out…? Who even are you people—ow, ow ow, my tongue again…”

Okay. 

Not the brightest bulb in the box.

Compared to her, Satahia might actually be a genius.

Syl, unamused, didn’t even flinch. She stared calmly at the trembling girl.

“You don’t have to be so nervous. We’re not here to harm you.”

“Liar! There’s no way humans wouldn’t hate someone from the enemy faction!”

Triss peeked out from behind her golem like a brat yelling from behind an adult’s leg. Honestly, the vibe was almost cute.

“Well… that’s because we’re not human…”

I trailed off as soon as I realized what I’d just said.

“Wait no! What I meant was—we’re from the Dark Faction too!”

Triss paused, eyes lighting up for a second before immediately narrowing again.
 

“Liar. There’s no way Dark Faction people could sneak into Faerns without the guards noticing. You’re just trying to make me talk! I’ll never betray the Great Demon God and His Majesty the Demon King!”

…Wow, maxed-out loyalty, huh?

“Well then, don’t freak out when I say this,” I interrupted before she could keep declaring her loyalty. 

“But not only are we from the Dark Faction, the Nineteenth Demon King of Herentis is standing right in front of you!”

“No way. If the Demon King had descended into the Light Faction, it’d have caused massive—”

Her voice stopped mid-sentence.

Because she saw the silver-haired woman beside me—Syl—slip off and then back on her bracelet.

Just for a second.

But that one second was enough. 

That unmistakable aura of a high-ranking demon radiated outward, and that was all the proof she needed.

“Do you believe me now?” I asked, smug.

Triss stood there dumbfounded, and then—

“Uuuhuuuuu… D-Demon King… You really heard my prayers?”

What I didn’t expect was for her adorable little face to scrunch up as she burst into tears and flung herself straight toward us.

NPCs can increase affection through quests and interactions, sure. 

But to have a loli NPC physically throw herself into my arms?

Yeah, I am pretty damn charming.

“Well, I’ll make an exception today and let you have a hug,” I said, spreading my arms with a warm smile.

But—

The tiny figure zipped right past me.

And dove straight into Syl’s chest.

“D-Demon King’s embrace… so warm… So this is the might of His Majesty… It’s like being wrapped in a sea of Mobyus Alloy… I’m so happy…”

She nuzzled her head into Syl’s chest, cheeks flushed, sighing dreamily.

Syl turned and looked at me.

I gave her a knowing nod.

Without a word, Syl lifted the tiny girl from her chest and calmly placed her right in front of me.

Still caught up in her fantasy, Triss blinked as the warmth disappeared, opened her eyes, and stared up at me.

Then, with professional-grade sincerity, she mumbled:

“…Divine Alloy Chestplate?”

Her eyes moved upward.

“And… two 45-type rivets.”

Her innocent honesty was met with an equally heartfelt response:

A loving bonk on the head.

“Waaaah! I didn’t mean it!”

“Unconscious harassment is still a crime.”

It’s not like I’m sensitive about my chest, but that kind of commentary?

Yeah no. 

She’s lucky I didn’t break her nose.

Triss instantly clung to Syl’s leg.

“Demon King-sama, help! This little sister is scaaaary!”

“You should be saying that to the Demon King,” Syl replied coldly, grabbing Triss by the collar and setting her back in front of me like luggage.

Triss’s brain seemed to crash for a moment.

Then she blinked.

“No way. But you don’t look intimidating at all—”

Thunk.

“Can you please stop obsessing over my chest.”

Besides, it has nothing to do with battle power anyway.

You should apologize to Satahia—

…Eh, on second thought, maybe not.

***

Just played a game of Shadowverse. 

Opponent was a Dragoncraft deck that only played four cards: Roar, Flower Storm, Abyssal Surge, and Dagon. One-turn kill.

6 cost. Full HP deleted.

…Yeah no, anyone who says Shadowverse isn’t suffering is a liar.jpg