The Impersonating Daimaou Wants to be Hated (WN): Chapter 97

 

Chapter 97: Dream of Farewell 1

 I knew immediately that I was dreaming.

 In the dream, the person was me. I was a spoiled child who was not able to stand on her own feet, always trailing behind someone in the family, even though I must have aged well by now. But I thought that was fine. My family is the best in the world. As long as I am with my family, no problem can be a problem. We will always have fun and get along well with each other. That's what I thought.

 Until that day.

“Hey, Glenn-nii.”

"Hmm? What is it? Satanalia."

 I hugged Glenn-nii, who was training with his sword, and he stopped what he was doing.

 I am no longer as small as I used to be, and he is not as big as he used to be, so I have to put my legs around his waist to hug his back as he sits on the log.

 If Mirage-nee came, she would probably hit me again, I thought, but I stuck my cheek against Glenn-nii's cheek as hard as I could.

"Ahaha. Satanalia is a spoiled child no matter how old you grow."

“Because Glenn-nii’s skin is really smooth. There aren’t many women with skin as beautiful as Glenn-nii.”

"Thank you. But Satanalia has much more beautiful skin than me."

"Wow~ I'm happy to hear that from Glenn-nii. Hey, hey, Glen-nii. Let's get married. Cook for me every day."

"It's a very tempting invitation, but I have my heart set on someone else."

"That's terrible, Glenn-nii. Are you going to abandon me? Was what you said that night a lie? Kii, that's why men are men, men are men..."

"Ahaha. Don't worry, Satanalia will soon find someone much nicer than me. And don't make that kind of joke when Mirage is around. Don't, really."

 As usual, Glenn-nii easily dodges the joking marriage proposal.

 It used to be a joke, but nowadays, hmmm, what is it? It's a bit of a shock...... maybe?　

 The reason I feel that way is because of the changes in Glenn-nii. He has always been cool, but recently he has gained a kind of dignity and become very good-looking. To be honest, I even want to eat him as a succubus. I'm afraid of Mirage, though, so I won't touch him.

"So what's up? Did you have something you wanted to talk to me about?"

"Eh? Ah! That's right. Hey, hey, Glenn-nii. Next time... I was wondering if you'd do me a favor and come with me to ask the Daimaou-sama."

"Are you talking about Floria by any chance?"

“Yeah. The other day I saw her and she was looking even worse. I'm not sure what she's going to do if we don't get her out of that spell that forbids her to get too close."

 I remember my bloodshot-eyed friend with her beautiful blond hair as shaggy as ever. It's a miracle we can have a conversation in that state. The old Floria would have caused an incident for sure.

“It's been almost three years since Floria was banned by sensei, hasn't it?”

"Yes, about three years. That's about right."

“Did you try asking someone other than me and Mirage to break the spell?”

“Yeah. But even Celicia-nee can't break the spell. If we tried to break the spell with our own power, it would probably take about a hundred years. The Daimaou-sama is really great, isn't she?

 We can fight a dragon that has its stronghold on the Dark Continent on our own. We all had to go out there and challenge them, and they used complicated magic that we can easily solve. But no matter how strong we become, I don't think we can catch up to the Daimaou-sama.

"Sensei's greatness is another story, but I'm rather surprised that she's still angry at her after three years."

"Hmm~? I don't think that she was angry, I think she just enjoys being mean."

"Ahaha. It's possible."

“No, no, it's no laughing matter. Even Glenn-nii knows how much Floria loves the Daimaou-sama, right? To be honest, I'm expecting Floria to make history in a few more years."

 Incidentally, Shudoji-nee is betting a magic stone that she will be causing problems within the next five years, Celicia-nee is betting the right to make her wear whatever clothes she wants within ten years, and teacher Kasadora is betting the right to have sexual relations with whomever she wants within twenty years (by the way, teacher Urnast also tried to participate in the bet but decided not to because everyone disliked the idea of the right to torture).

“That’s right…… alright. Let's ask together to have her undo the spell on Floria."

"Really? Yay, thank you! Glenn-nii."

 I took the opportunity to kiss him on the cheek.

“You’re welcome. Ah, hey. Not the mouth... alright. What's the matter? You seem to be in a very good mood today."

"I'm so happy to see everyone here after all these years. It would have been great if Floria could have come too. Even though Floria loves the Daimaou-sama so much, but why won't she listen to her?"

 My best friend ignored Daimaou-sama's attempts to stop and continued to kill everyone who had hostile intentions toward Daimaou-sama, finally angering Daimaou-sama.

 When I think of Floria, I always wonder if something could be done better.

 Glenn-nii patted me gently on the head while I was on his back.

“Not everyone is as good as Satanalia. Sometimes people put their feelings before efficiency. There are people like that...... No, I wonder if there are more people like that. Oh, with the exception of those who jump out of the plane like Floria, of course."

"If there were a lot of people like Floria, it would be too scary. The Daimaou-sama gave Floria a kingdom as well, but I don't think Floria can ever be a king."

"Satanalia, who says so, was also entrusted with one country. Are you doing well?"

"Hmm. I don't know. I've left things that seem troublesome to the smart kids, so I'm able to manage it for the time being, but I don't really understand the details."

 Come to think of it, maybe I'm not too different from Floria?

 ……No, I don’t care, that kind of thing.

"It's one thing to leave it to others, but you, the king, should be in charge of the whole thing."

"Eh? But I don't want to do that and cut my play time. In general, Glenn-nii and Mirage-nee have been so busy talking about the country lately that they haven't given me much time at all."

"I'm sorry for making you feel lonely. But Satanalia, if we make an effort, the spirit race and the fiend race, which have been fighting each other since the beginning of time, may be able to get along with each other, don't you think that's wonderful?"

“Rather than Glenn-nii’s hard work, isn’t it because the Daimaou-sama is eating their hatred?”

"Ahaha. That's for sure. But you know what, Satanalia? No matter how much hatred you eliminate, as long as you are alive, new feelings will be born one after another. And it is our role to make sure that these new feelings are not of hatred."

“………That's troublesome. I'd rather be with the people I love all the time than do something about the people I've never met."

 Not only Glenn-nii and Mirage-nee, but also Celicia-nee and Shudoji-nee seem to be much busier these days, and they don't have much time for me when I go to see them. It feels like a lie that we used to spend so much time together.

“Satanalia... sensei is still playing with you, right?"

“Yeah. I am. But Daimaou-sama, who was now in the land of the spellcasters she created before, called Norosteadam, is in a drinking frenzy. I also join in and play with her, but it's still something different from before."

"Well, Satanalia is a succubus, and you're not a child anymore, so I don't want to say too much, but do it in moderation."

“What? Glenn-nii, are you worried about me? Thenーー"

"Wait. What do you mean!?"

 Glenn-nii and I looked at each other's faces at that loud voice that seemed to resound throughout the forest.

“Glenn-nii, just now.”

"Yeah. It's Mirage's voice… did something happen?"

 Glenn-nii stands up from the log on which he was sitting. I was still attached to him.

"I wonder if the Daimaou-sama did something again?"

"Ahaha. That may be true."

 Glenn-nii carried me on his back as he moved through the forest. I was surprised to learn that there was such a method of walking, which he had adapted from something he had learned from his old teacher Honea.

"Ah, you're here."

 Glenn-nii's speed is amazing, but I guess it's because there wasn't any obstruction. We found Mirage-nee unexpectedly easily.

"Are? Everyone is here. Are we ready to go to the hot springs?"

 Daimaou-sama facing Mirage-nee. The first part was as expected, but there were also Celicia-nee and Shudoji-nee at a little distance from the two. It was very unusual for Mirage-nee, but even Celicia-nee and Shudoji-nee had troubled looks on their faces.

“I wonder if we had a discussion about a hot spring? Then did Daimaou-sama just say it on a whim?"

 Today, we have come to the dragon forest where there is a secret hot spring to report on the state of operations in each country and to discuss future plans, but I felt sorry for Glenn-nii who was left alone while everyone else is going to take a bath, so I stayed behind with him (we could have gone together, but Mirage-nee would have been angry).

"No, that was... Mirage, did something happen?"

"Glenn."

 Mirage turned around and her face was even sterner than usual. I think something must have happened because she didn't say anything when she saw me clinging to Glenn-nii.

"Sensei?"

"It's nothing serious. We were discussing our future plans, but it seemed to be unacceptable to Mirage. I'm really troubled by her selfishness."

 Daimaou-sama puts her hand on her cheek and sighs exaggeratedly, but although it's not a big deal according to Daimaou-sama, there's never really been a big deal.

 What I'm curious about is that Mirage-nee, who should be well aware of Daimaou-sama's troublesome nature, is that furious. This is a big deal.

 Mirage-nee glared at Daimaou-sama with a very scary face, as if she was about to jump on her at any moment. Then she said.

"It's no big deal? That doesn't sound like the words of a super-annoying person who is about to start a great war that will engulf the entire continent."

"Great war!? S-sensei? What do you mean?"

"It's just as Mirage said. You guys will spend the next 100 years nurturing the country I gave you. And after 100 years, we'll start a great war involving all the countries on the continent and you will decide which nation is the strongest in that war."

“How exactly will we decide who is the best?”

"It's a great war. The real struggle for survival is always simple. Keep fighting until all races, except those belonging to your own country, have disappeared from this continent. Search and destroy. Of course, I made arrangements so that you can't unite with the countries by negotiation, so please use your strength as much as you want."

"What!? That's ridiculous, sensei! What's the point of such an act?"

"Hot!?"

 Mana erupts from Glenn-nii's body. I couldn't stand the amount of heat it contained, so I jumped off Glenn-nii's back in a hurry.

 It's extremely rare for Glenn-nii to reveal his emotions to this degree. I think I had never seen it before.

“Meaning? Fufu. Glenn says funny things. It sounds fun. Doesn't it matter what it means, as long as there is a reason for it?"

"N-no way... Celicia nee-san! Shudoji nee-san!!"

 Glenn-nii turned his gaze toward Celicia-nee and Shudoji-nee.

 Besides, Celicia-nee, who never ceases to smile happily, waved her hand sideways in front of her face with her mouth curved.

"I can't! I was told about this yesterday, and I have asked her many times to reconsider, but she won't listen to me."

“I would be troubled if you expected me to do something that Celicia couldn’t do.”

"N-no way..."

 Glenn-nii is astonished to find out that not even Celicia-nee, the oldest among us and the most favored by the Daimaou-sama, could change the Daimaou-sama's mind. Then, Mirage-nee took an unbelievable action.

"Master...... no, Mother. I am asking you for a once-in-a-lifetime favor. Please don't cause such a super-annoying thing as a great war."

 Saying this, that proud Mirage-nee rubbed her forehead on the ground.

"M-me, me too, please. Sensei, I will pay any price. So, please don't start a great war."

 Glenn-nii lined up next to Mirage-nee in the exact same posture. Seeing this, Celicia-nee ruffled her beautiful hair that shines silver.

“It can't be helped. I'll stick my pretty face in the mud and do you a favor here, too."

"Well, if there is a great war, even if it's just a war, I can't do my work."

"Ah, me too. I'm begging you too, Daimaou-sama."

 Seeing even Celicia-nee bow her head, I hurriedly lined up next to them.

 Frankly, I don't understand why everyone is so desperate.

 Daimaou-sama has done some pretty terrible things in the past, and I feel like it's too late for that. It's true that the scale of the war is probably the largest ever, but no matter how big the war gets, we can survive, and I'm sure that the Daimaou-sama won't kill us either. So why is everyone so desperate just for this one time?

 I don't understand. Even so, since everyone I love is asking so desperately, I wanted Daimaou-sama to listen to everyone's requests.

 Daimaou-sama looked very troubled when she saw us bowing our heads.

"Eh!? It weakens me when you cute people beg me so desperately. Hmmm...... then, well, it's okay. A big war would be fun, but let's keep it more peaceful."

 What? It was easily resolved. But that's kind of like the Daimaou-sama. I'm sure everyone thought so, not just me.

"Really!?"

 Mirage-nee has a happy face that I've never seen before. The Daimaou-sama smiled kindly.

"Yes, of course."

 Daimaou-sama's rainbow-colored eyes emitted a faint light. The air that had been filled with excitement in front of that too-beautiful radiance instantly froze.

“Eh? No wayーー butーー apartーー fromーー that, it'sーー really toughーー"

 Suddenly, Daimaou-sama left us alone and began to mutter something in a small voice. Even I, who am the best at interfering with the mind among everyone else, can't see any sign of someone talking with Daimaou-sama at all. But those of us who have been with Daimaou-sama for a long time can see it. We know that Daimaou-sama is now receiving instructions from someone else, and that this will never be reversed.

 While we watched with bated breath, Daimaou-sama's eyes, which had been shining faintly, returned to normal.

"Umm. Daimaou-sama?"

 Celicia-nee asked Daimaou-sama on behalf of everyone. Uwaa? I can't look at Mirage-nee and Glenn-nii's faces.

 I really hoped in my heart that the Daimaou-sama would listen to our request.

 I prayed desperately in my heart.

 And then the Daimaou-sama said to us, who were looking at us pleading to her, in the same tone of voice as usual.

“No. I'm sorry. I have decided to start a great war after all.

 Snap*, something definitely cracked somewhere. I thought I heard such an unpleasant sound.

"Ah, but, since you guys are so cute, I've changed the date from one hundred years to three hundred years from now. What do you think? Aren't you happy?"

 Daimaou-sama smiles smugly. I don't know what Daimaou-sama's inner thoughts are at times like this. It seems as if she is mocking us, pitying us, or expecting something from us.

“…I see. That's very clever for an idiot master."

 Mirage-nee stood up first and looked at Daimaou-sama squarely in the face. Her face was smiling, but it had a roughness to it as if she was challenging her, and I knew that the unpleasant sound I had just heard was not my imagination.

"Even if you're an idiot master. Just like I said before, you're my mother, a mother."

 Daimaou-sama patted Mirage-nee's head. The spirit race, Mirage-nee is not very tall, and now she is about the same height as I am. But she is the proudest of us all, and if one treats her like a child, he or she will be in big trouble. And if you pat her on the head like that, he or she is going to get hurt.

 Is she happy about it? Daimaou-sama stroked Mirage-nee's head for quite a long time. Mirage-nee stared at her for a long time, and then, eventually, she said.

"Hey, is it really useless?"

 Her voice was so weak that it was hard to believe it was Mirage-nee's voice.

"Yes. That's right. I'm sorry, Mirage."

 Her voice was so sad that it was hard to believe it was the voice of Daimaou-sama.

“I see. I see, right... then do me one favor in return. Wouldn't you at least do that, Mother?"

 Mirage-nee put her hands on her hips and looked up at the Daimaou-sama with her chest out. I was a little relieved without knowing why, because she was there with her usual confidence.

“Yes. That's fine. What is it?  I'll grant most of your wishes, except for avoiding the war."

"!? Seriously!? Then, then, I."

 Shudoji-nee was about to stand up with great force, but Celicia-nee, who was next to her, said, "Hey, you need to read the mood." She made her sit down.

 As we watched, Mirage-nee held up her finger. Andーー

“Let's all go around the world together for a year.”

 She said so.