How NOT to Summon a Demon Lord: Volume 11 Read online

  The story so far—

  In the MMORPG Cross Reverie, Takuma Sakamoto was overwhelmingly powerful, and was able to role play so well that his performances were more boss-like than the actual bosses of the game. For this reason, he came to be known as the “Demon Lord.”

  By defeating the Demon Lord of the Mind, Enkvaros, faster than anyone else, he obtained the super rare item, the 《Demon Lord’s Ring》. It was one of the ultimate pieces of equipment in the game, able to reflect all types of magic.

  Then, one day, Takuma found himself summoned to a world that looked exactly like Cross Reverie! Having performed the ritual magic at the same time, the Pantherian, Rem, and the Elf, Shera, fought over which one of them was his summoner.

  But thanks to the Demon Lord’s Ring he wore, the magic was reflected, so the 《Enslavement Collar》 meant for him had clamped onto the two girls instead!

  Faced with Rem and Shera arguing, Takuma was at a loss of what to do. While he may have been a superior player back in the game, he couldn’t talk with other people if his life depended on it. After struggling over what to say, the words that came out of his mouth were from the Demon Lord role play he had used in the game:

  “Cease your pointless squabbling. You are in the presence of Diablo.”

  Diablo soon after found himself foiling an invasion of one hundred Fallen, led by a Fallen named Edelgard, as well as an attack from within Faltra itself at the hands of the Fallen, Gregore. Diablo then later found himself the recipient of a quest from the governor of Faltra, Galford. Prince Keera of the Elven kingdom of Greenwood had demanded Shera be returned to him, threatening open war with Faltra should compliance fail. The details of Galford’s quest were simply to find a way to avoid the war. The bespectacled, straight-and-narrow Imperial Knight Alicia was assigned to the group as an observer to watch over their actions.

  Using the 《Marionette’s Flute》, Keera manipulated Shera and unleashed a forbidden summon called the Force Hydra—yet Diablo still managed to rescue her.

  After her rescue, the group set off to resurrect the Demon Lord Krebskulm, trapped inside Rem. But in the process, Krebskulm had lost a portion of her memories as a Demon Lord, being reduced to a biscuit-loving young girl, who was then nicknamed “Klem.”

  Peaceful days passed by...

  Suddenly, Alicia betrayed the group! Now awakened as a true Demon Lord, Klem went into a destructive frenzy. But thanks to one of Diablo’s ultimate spells and the sound of Rem’s and Shera’s voices, Klem was subdued and reverted to her biscuit-loving form. To ensure Klem would never go berserk again, Diablo bound her with the same enslavement magic afflicted upon Shera and Rem.

  Through a string of coincidences, or perhaps God’s own guidance, Diablo found himself rescuing Lumachina, a holy woman, from the Paladin Gewalt. Being a High Priest, Lumachina was the highest ranking member of the church. However, due to her attempts at ridding the church of corruption and avarice, she was nearly assassinated. Still seeking to reform the corrupt church, Lumachina sought the help of the Paladin Captain Batutta, setting out to meet him in Zircon Tower.

  Located in the perilous expanse of the former Demon Lord’s Domain, Diablo’s group of adventurers accompanied her as bodyguards. After a long journey, they arrived at their destination and were greeted by Batutta.

  While there, Diablo claimed back his own dungeon, gained many pieces of helpful equipment and items, and fought off the new Demon Lord’s army, gaining new allies in the process: the Grasswalker, Horn, and the magimatic maid, Rose.

  Shortly after, Horn decided to change classes and study to become a sorcerer, leaving for the magic academy.

  But they could not celebrate their victories, however. Having been informed that the Elven king, Shera’s father, had passed away, the four traveled to her homeland where Shera was already engaged to a pig-faced Elf called Drango (for the sake of the country, of course). Diablo attempted to prevent the wedding, giving her a wedding ring and assuming the throne as the new king of Greenwood.

  Afterward, to prepare for his upcoming battle with the Demon Overlord Modinaram, Diablo set out to meet the legendary swordmaster and level up as a warrior, only to find (to his great surprise) that the current swordmaster and heir to the previous was none other than a Dwarven girl called Sasara.

  The previous swordmaster, revealed to be Sasara’s stepfather, Graham, sought to master the blade with such zeal that he transformed his body into that of an oni. But, despite his efforts, Sasara struck down Graham, proving once and for all her overwhelming prowess.

  At the same time, the Demon Overlord Modinaram was marching its armies upon Faltra. The governor, Galford, and other adventurers, including Emile, were severely injured in combat. Diablo rushed to the scene and, with Rose and Sasara serving as vanguards, defeated the Demon Overlord. But Rem was then captured, and upon rescuing her, Diablo gave her a wedding ring.

  News of the Demon Overlord’s defeat reached Lyferia’s king, Delouche Xandros, who ordered that Diablo be summoned to his castle.

  “Laughable! If he wishes an audience, let the king come to me!”

  Being too inept when it came to meeting important people, Diablo hid behind his Demon Lord-ly bravado to run away. Left with no choice, his wives Rem and Shera headed to the capital, Seven Wall, in his stead.

  Diablo then learned from Rose that the rings he had given Rem and Shera were actually a pair, which meant he had unintentionally caused Rem and Shera to get married! Resolving to fix the situation before it came to light, he partnered up with the guildmaster Sylvie to visit the Viridian Cathedral.

  Diablo reached the capital, and, after some misadventures, visited the sorcerer’s academy in order to resolve a mystery quest. He saved Horn from trouble and defeated the powerful monster that was summoned. But, just as he considered going back to Faltra, the captain of the Palace Knights, Maximum Abrams, forcibly demanded to escort Diablo to the castle. Leaving Sylvie and the others behind, Diablo boarded the black carriage.

  “Hmph... Going to such lengths to call for me, I expect quite the banquet.”

  Prologue

  The howling of animals reverberated through the air. Another sound intersected it, followed by even more howling. Hearing those sounds, the soldiers stationed on the walls cried out,

  “An attack! A raid! The spriggan’s coming!”

  Something moved under the moonlight—a huge form that quaked the ground. Its hulking, stout shape protruded from out of the earth, its massive arms ending in fists that resembled mallets. There were only holes where its eyes and mouth should have been, and there was no way of telling where it was looking.

  —A spriggan.

  It was said to be a type of fairy that guarded the land. And, as if to push it forward, the animals’ howling increased in volume, becoming a deafening cacophony.

  The soldiers on top of the walls nocked their arrows.

  “Fire!”

  A volley of flaming arrows was unleashed. Cloths submerged in oil were tied to the arrowheads, made to set fire to their target. It was an effective weapon on the beasts, but the spriggan’s skin deflected them with the sound of dry metal.

  The sorcerers called forth their summons. Large Salamanders spat out breaths of flame, and Sylphs flying in the heavens kicked up whirlwinds. But none of them penetrated the spriggan’s thick skin, and they failed in stopping its advance.

  The soldiers stirred, and, after taking a frightened step or two back, started running away from the walls.

  “Keep attacking!” the commander called out loudly. “Don’t turn your back to them! And you call yourselves soldiers of the kingdom?! Don’t abandon the pride of Lyfer�
�”

  The gigantic spriggan swung up its hand and slammed it down on the walls, crushing them with its hammer-like fists.

  Countless screams, and enough howls to drown even those out, filled the night. From within the darkness, the beasts rushed out. Their heads were like those of foxes. They looked like animals, but brandished swords and spears skillfully. Some were even covered in armor. But they didn’t speak in the tongue of the races.

  The Therianthropes known as Kobolds—wild beasts that were close to, but not quite part of, the races of man.

  Overwhelmed by the Therianthropes, the Lyferian soldiers could only run around in a panic, having lost both their commander and the walls.

  On day 29 of the eleventh month of year 164 of the Lyferian calendar, one of the fortresses making up the southern region of Caliture fell in a single night.

  The following day, the royal astrologer Vinashin gave the king counsel from his sickbed: catastrophe would befall the country should they step upon the kingdom’s fiefdom.

  Chapter 1: Visiting the Royal Castle

  Year 165 of the Lyferian calendar, tenth day of the first month—

  Rem and Shera were in their room in the guest ward of Castle Grandiose. Before them was a table loaded with countless dishes that served as their breakfast.

  “The food here is so tasty!” Shera gladly relished the luxury of being able to eat as much of this delicious cooking as she asked for.

  “...At least get dressed before you get out of bed.”

  Shera was still in her pajamas, which consisted of just a blouse and panties.

  “But it’s not like we’re gonna meet the king today, right?”

  “...The audience will likely start whenever His Majesty decides it suits him, but we likely won’t be called right this instant.”

  They weren’t told in any great detail, but the old butler said there were still a few days’ worth of meetings in line ahead of theirs. The king’s physical condition had deteriorated with the turn of the year, and, coupled with matters of government and military that had popped up, his scheduled meetings were going on slowly.

  “I hope they’ll call us when they’re ready,” Shera said, her cheeks stuffed with fruit.

  “...Yes, I asked if it’s possible for us to try again some other time.”

  “And they said no?”

  “...The butler said, ‘as your arrival has been reported to the king already, leaving without holding an audience may gall the king and be regarded as an affront.’”

  “What language was that?”

  “...Lyferia’s common language. What it means is that the king knows we’re in the castle, and if we leave without seeing him, he might get angry.”

  “Then why not say it simply like that?”

  “...There’s a way of speaking that fits the time and place.”

  “Well, we came all the way here, so we should meet him. I don’t want to have to come here a second time.”

  Indeed, there was a five-day carriage ride between the frontier city of Faltra and the capital, Seven Wall, which could be made a longer trip depending on the weather. It wasn’t exactly a place one could visit easily.

  “...I won’t deny it’s a hard trip, but... You just want to stay in the castle so you can eat their food, don’t you?”

  “Huh? Heh, heehee... That’s not true~ But why don’t you eat too, Rem?”

  “...I dislike eating more than the proper amount. It makes me sluggish.”

  “I eat the proper amount too!”

  “...Shera, haven’t you gained a little weight?”

  “Huh? I never gain weight.”

  Rem eyed her with scorn.

  “...If we don’t hold that audience soon, you’ll end up becoming round like a barrel.”

  “I’m telling you, I don’t gain weight!”

  It was then that there was a polite knock on the ivory door to their room.

  “My apologies for interrupting your meal.”

  It was the voice of the busybody old butler. Rem opened the door.

  “...Did something happen?”

  “I apologize for interrupting you during your free time, Miss Shera L. Greenwood and Miss Rem Galleu. There is someone who wishes to see you.”

  “...And who might that be?”

  “Duke Noah Gibun.”

  Rem and Shera exchanged glances and shook their heads. It seemed neither of them knew him.

  “...I don’t believe we know him?”

  “Duke Gibun is blessed with great intelligence despite his age, and is His Majesty’s most trusted minister, given the most responsibilities. Not only was he granted the title of Duke, rumors say he will eventually reach the post of prime minister. I believe he has some things to ask you before your audience, most respectfully.”

  “...I see.”

  They were being evaluated to see if they were worthy of an audience with the king?

  “There are many among the regional nobles and wealthy merchants who make great strides for a meeting with Duke Gibun,” the butler continued. “You are quite fortunate and should feel honored for being allowed to meet him.”

  “...I wonder what such an influential person wants with us? We’ll get ready at once, so could you give us a bit of time?”

  “Of course,” the butler said, relieved. “I will prepare the lounge, then, and will come to take you there in thirty minutes.”

  It seemed that he only brought up the duke’s popularity and mentioned how much of an honor it was to see him because he feared they might refuse to meet him. It seemed he didn’t want to have to be the bearer of bad news who lets the future prime minister know his request for a meeting was turned down. They would have to meet him out of consideration for this hardworking butler, too.

  The old butler left, closing the door behind him. Rem locked the door.

  “...Get dressed, Shera.”

  “Okay!”

  She briskly took off her pajamas and threw them aside, but, just as she tried to put on her usual green outfit... it happened.

  “Gh?!”

  “...What’s wrong?”

  “I feel... tight... in my chest... Can’t breathe...”

  “Are you sick?!”

  Or maybe the food was poisoned?!

  But then Shera said, while slackening the leather straps holding her outfit from behind...

  “I think my boobs got bigger.”

  Rem’s gaze chilled and froze over.

  “...Fat Elf.”

  “Wow, mean?!”

  “Get ready. Actually, no. Stay behind and keep guzzling down their food. I’ll meet the Duke alone—as Diablo’s wife.”

  “Aaaah, but I’m his wife, too!”

  “Then get dressed. Any shameful thing you do drags Diablo’s name through the mud.”

  “Ngngng... I can adjust these clothes with the leather straps, but... I think they’re at their limit.”

  The Elves were a slender race, and its women had modest chests, but Shera was an exception with rather large bosoms. Because of this, it seemed she had trouble getting into the royal Elven outfit. The leather straps were creaking under the pressure.

  “Uuugh, my boobs are so big, I can’t move!”

  “...Kuh.”

  Looking down at her body, which lacked any parts that would make getting dressed hard, Rem grit her teeth.

  No, I’m more nimble this way!

  †

  The room that made up Castle Grandiose’s tea lounge looked like a museum exhibit of sorts, and set up at its center was a round table for four. It seemed to be carved out of blue crystal, but there were no seams in it. One couldn’t imagine the size of the crystal required to carve this table. The backrests of the chairs seemed to be made up of dragon egg shells cut in half, and they were furnished with great bear furs.

  The walls of the circular room were painted over, giving it the appearance of a garden. Along with this delicately designed mural, the room was also filled with the babbling of a stream, the
scent of blooming flowers, and the fluttering of birds’ wings.

  Rem was shocked beyond all words.

  “This tea is so tasty!” Shera was enjoying the tea they were served without a hint of timidness.

  The white teacup held between her fingers was probably made of porcelain brought over from the countries to the far east, with just one set costing more than either of their yearly incomes. Rem suddenly became acutely aware that Shera was royalty, raised in the blessed forests of Greenwood, a veritable heaven on Earth.

  The two of them waited alone for a while, until one of the trees drawn over the walls opened. It seemed there was a door there. A single man entered the room, without even one bodyguard accompanying him. The luxurious shawl he was wearing marked him as a duke of the kingdom of Lyferia.

  Duke Noah Gibun.

  He was a handsome man with golden hair and blue eyes, and surprisingly, the expression he wore wasn’t a cold one. In fact, his smile seemed quite mild and gentle. He looked more like a short-haired girl.

  “Ah...”

  Looking at him oddly reminded Rem of Diablo. They were entirely unlike each other, but perhaps it was how perfectly formed their facial features were. That was likely their strongest common point.

  Rem rose from her seat and gave a ladylike bow. Right now, she wasn’t the adventurer Rem Galleu, but had the representative position of the wife and queen of the king of Greenwood, Diablo.

  “Mm?” Shera tilted her head, still seated.

  Without focusing on either one of the contrastive two, Noah bowed respectfully.

  “I am called Noah Gibun. Honored to make your acquaintance.”

  “I’m Shera L. Greenwood.”

  “I terribly apologize for calling you over without any notice today. Please forgive my impoliteness.”

  “It’s fine~”

  Rem was struck with timidness at this all-too-natural exchange. If anything, she almost had to anxiously wonder if her standing on ceremony like this was out of place.

  “...I’m Rem Galleu.” She finally stammered out her name.