Demon Prince 56.2

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Chapter 56.2. Surprisingly Delicious?

Sebasto gives a warning, but dodging seems impossible.

I'll block it with magic!

"[Ice Wall]!"

Using magic, I create a wall of ice to block the ink.

As expected, avoiding the ink in this location is quite difficult.

"What do we do, Jun?"

"Ai, it's better if you don't get too close. Strikes won't work well against that body. More importantly, close combat is out of the question. If it catches you, it's over."

"Got it. So, magic?"

"That's the only option, but this is a cave. Using flashy magic might make the cave collapse."

Fire magic is also risky.

With this much space, it might be fine, but the risk of oxygen depletion or carbon monoxide poisoning is scary.

"Given the circumstances, this is the spell for the job."

The magic lowers the surrounding temperature rapidly. Frost forms, freezing the underground lake, and even the cave walls become encased in ice.

Ahead of me, everything turns into a world of pure white.

"[Absolute Zero]!"

The magic creates a space of absolute zero, freezing the giant spotted octopus along with the underground lake.

In no time, a massive octopus ice sculpture is formed.

I slice it with my sword, shattering it into tiny fragments.

"Wow, Onii-chan, amazing. But it's so coooold!"

"You're incredible, Jun, but it's freezing!"

""Master, it's so coooold!""

Since everyone seems close to freezing, we take a piece of the shattered giant spotted octopus' leg as proof of subjugation and teleport back to the city of Dairan.

Upon returning, we immediately speak with the guild receptionist.

"You defeated the giant spotted octopus?! In the cave you went to for the sahuagin subjugation? How did that even happen?!"

I explain the circumstances to the guild receptionist, mixing in some assumptions.

Initially confused, she eventually seems to understand.

"I see. I understand now. But still, that's incredible! The giant spotted octopus is an A-rank beast in terms of subjugation difficulty, you know? There's even a bounty on it. Once it's verified, you'll receive the payment."

"Bounty?"

"Yes, it's probably the same one that caused havoc in this region's seas. Several ships were sunk, so a bounty was placed on it. The payment will be made after verification. As for the sahuagin subjugation reward, I'll pay that now."

While I’m talking with the receptionist, Lydia comes to greet me.

"Welcome back, Jun-sama. I’ve come to pick you up."

"I'm back, Lydia. Thanks for coming."

"It's no trouble at all. Please, this way—I’ve prepared a carriage for you."

We ride in the carriage Lydia arranged and head to the mansion where Orthroi-san is waiting.

"Lydia, you don’t need to sit so close."

"Oh, it’s fine, isn’t it? You never come to see me, after all, Jun."

In the carriage, Lydia sits beside me, pressing close.

Even though Ai, my supposed fiancée, is sitting right in front of us...

"Lydia, embracing someone in front of their fiancée isn’t very commendable."

"My apologies, Ai-sama. But could you look the other way just this once?"

Ai and Yuu are pouting.

Meanwhile, Noella seems to be sizing up Lydia.

"Master, you’re so popular."

"Master, be careful not to get stabbed by a woman someday."

Tina's remark is one thing, but I can't ignore Nina's.

It's not like I created this situation... right?

The room we’re shown to at the mansion is a party venue with a lavish spread of food.

Orthroi-san has thoughtfully invited former trainees from the school and hospital.

Since I’d been meaning to check in with them, this works out perfectly.

I express my gratitude for the gesture, including the wonderful food.

"Thank you so much, Orthroi-san. This is very considerate of you. The seafood dishes are delicious as well."

"Oh, it’s nothing at all."

His reaction to being thanked is just like Lydia's.

They truly are parent and child.

"Is something the matter?"

"No, it’s nothing. This food is excellent."

I can’t help but chuckle.

Was my attempt to change the subject too obvious?

"Darling, I’m back."

"Oh, Sophia, you’ve returned."

Sophia, Orthroi-san’s wife and Lydia’s mother, has arrived.

I hadn’t seen her around, so I assumed she was out somewhere.

"It’s been a while, Sophia."

"It has, Jun-sama. I’m sorry I couldn’t greet you earlier due to work."

Sophia is a former captain of the Dairan knights and still occasionally commands them.

"Sophia, if you’re going out on work, does that mean something happened?"

"Yes, actually. Recently, we’ve seen a gradual increase in incidents involving a band of thieves in the eastern part of Dairan territory."

"Thieves, you say."

"Indeed. I led the knights to deal with them, but my apologies—this isn’t appropriate conversation for this setting."

"No, I asked, so it’s fine."

"Thieves…"

"Big sister…"

Tina and Nina’s faces darken.

Did something happen?

"Tina, Nina, is something wrong?"

"No, it’s nothing."

"We’re fine."

They run over to Lily, who’s eating a little further away.

Are they okay? They seem obviously upset.

"Jun-sama, I heard this from them before: Tina and Nina’s family was killed by thieves. They must have been reminded of that."

Noella, who was standing by, explains quietly.

That must be a painful memory, especially for children.

No, it would be difficult for anyone, regardless of age.

"I see… I understand."

"My apologies, Jun-sama."

"No, Sophia, it’s not your fault."

The blame lies with those thieves.

Ruu and Kuu also lost their parents to mysterious beasts.

The four little maids have had tough lives for their age.

I’ll have to buy them something nice next time.

"Ahem, um… more importantly, Jun-sama, how did the sahuagin subjugation go?"

Orthroi-san, trying to be considerate, changes the subject.

He’s fundamentally a good person, though a bit hard to deal with at times.

"Yes, the sahuagin subjugation went smoothly. However, the reason the sahuagin inhabited the cave turned out to be the giant spotted octopus. Taking down the octopus was the real challenge."

"You defeated the giant spotted octopus?!"

I explain the details to the astonished Orthroi-san.

Lydia joins in, and soon the other guests gather around, turning the conversation into a lively discussion.

"Amazing!"

"As expected of the Demon Prince!"

"That thing even sank my ship once!"

The voices praising me don’t stop.

It’s not bad to be complimented, but being excessively lauded is a bit overwhelming.

"Not only did you treat my daughter, but you also established the hospital and school. And now, you’ve defeated the giant spotted octopus, a menace to our territory. Jun-sama, we are deeply indebted to you."

"Indeed. If there’s anything we can do for you, please let us know."

"You’re exaggerating."

While Lydia’s treatment was intentional, defeating the giant spotted octopus was more of a coincidence.

Oh, speaking of octopuses…

"By the way, are there smaller, unpatterned octopuses caught in local fishing?"

"Smaller octopuses? Occasionally, but we usually release them back into the sea."

Great, they exist. Regular octopuses.

"Could you procure one for me?"

"Of course, but what for?"

"There’s a delicious dish I can make with octopus. I’ll treat you to it."

"You’re going to eat it? An octopus?"

"It’s surprisingly tasty."

The Dairan couple, somewhat skeptical, agrees to the request.

Later, they obtain an octopus for me.

I also prepare a takoyaki griddle, made by Ms. Stephania, and return to Dairan.

"Can you really eat this?"

"Just watch."

The octopus they provided looks just like the ones commonly seen in Japan.

I test a bite of the boiled octopus—no problems.

While I don’t have authentic takoyaki sauce, I find a good substitute.

There’s even aonori (seaweed flakes) available.

The takoyaki is a success, and everyone tries it with a mix of curiosity and caution.

After the first bite, their doubts vanish.

"It’s delicious!"

"This is amazing!"

"Jun-sama, you’re incredible!"

It’s not like I invented takoyaki, though.

Orthroi-san asks me to teach them how to make it so they can turn it into a local specialty.

In my previous life, I often made takoyaki for Yuu, who loved it. That experience came in handy.

I’m satisfied after eating it again myself.

And so, the city of Dairan gained a new specialty: takoyaki.