“So, that’s why I’m back to being a jailer starting today.”
“…Why are you reporting that to me?”
“Well, we were neighbors for a night, after all.”
The next day.
I went to work and told Katiana that her execution had been called off.
Katiana acted like she wasn’t interested, but she seemed a little relieved.
She was laughing during our conversation yesterday, so I’ll assume my favorability is steadily increasing.
That’ll keep my motivation up.
“It’s good that your execution was canceled, but why are you back in the cell?”
“Well, being in a cell is kind of calming. It’s like a secluded space, and I like that kind of thing.”
I realized that after spending a day in the cell yesterday.
Being in a cell strangely clears my mind and allows me to focus on my thoughts.
So, from now on, I think I’ll go into a cell whenever I need to think about something.
However, that’s as it may be, and since I couldn’t find an answer by thinking about it now, I asked my neighbor for her opinion.
“…Hey, Miss Katiana. How do you think you can become friends with someone who hates you?”
“That’s sudden. Why are you asking me…?”
“Well, you know, like a life consultation? That kind of thing.”
“…I don’t know which one, but I guess so.”
Katiana-san listened to my problem and answered seriously.
“Wouldn’t it be best to cross swords once?”
“You mean fight?”
“Yes. That’s how I’ve been blessed with friends. You should do the same.”
That’s unreasonable.
The person I need to befriend is Lucifiel, the Demon Lord.
If I fought her, it would be bad. My life would be in danger.
When I slapped Lucifiel, she was surprised and didn’t retaliate…
I could have been killed with one punch.
That’s how powerful Lucifiel, the Demon Lord, is.
“Is there anything else? The other person is ridiculously strong.”
“…”
Nothing, huh?
Well, Katiana is a heroine who tends to be a bit of a musclehead in the game, so it can’t be helped.
Just then, my senior, who seemed to have been listening to our conversation, stood in front of the cell with a face like a Buddha.
“Lugas-kun. What’s important is the feeling of caring for the other person.”
“…The feeling of caring for the other person?”
“Yes. Respect your friend’s will, their heart, and sometimes correct their mistakes. Strength or weakness doesn’t matter. What’s important is to be equal. That’s the first step to becoming friends.”
Oh no, my senior is starting to sound like a real saint.
But, being equal, huh?
“You’re amazing, senpai. I feel like I’ve gotten a hint. Thank you, Miss Katiana, too.”
I bowed to my Buddha-like senior and thanked Katiana as well.
Then, Katiana-san blinked.
“There’s no need to thank me. I didn’t give any useful advice.”
“No, no, the fact that you thought about it seriously is true, isn’t it?”
“…Hmph.”
Katiana’s cheeks turned slightly red. She’s embarrassed.
“Respecting the other person, huh?”
“Is something the matter?”
“No, I was just thinking it’s difficult.”
“?”
My senior tilted their head at my mutter.
I know about Lucifiel from my knowledge of the game.
I’m a heavy user of “PuriHiiro,” after all.
I’m quite familiar with the heroines who appear in the game, not just Lucifiel.
But that’s just as knowledge.
I don’t know Lucifiel well enough to respect her feelings.
At the very least, I can’t become friends with Lucifiel just because Marisela told me to.
So, I should try to understand her tastes and preferences.
“…Should I prepare a gift or something?”
Lucifiel is a collector who enjoys collecting powerful weapons and armor.
If it’s a gift, it should be something of that kind.
However, I, a low-ranking Demonkin, can’t prepare weapons or armor that the Demon Lord would like.
“Hmm, what should I do…? No, don’t be bound by fixed ideas. There must be something.”
Let’s throw away all my game knowledge for now.
If I do that, I should be able to see something I haven’t seen before.
“…Ah. That’s right, I forgot.”
I had forgotten something quite important.
It’s true that Lucifiel is at the top of all Demonkin.
But she’s still a young girl.
“Kukuku, I’ve got a good idea.”
“H-hey, Lugas. You’re making a really bad face.”
Katiana is pulling away from me after seeing my face.
How rude. I was just thinking about how to get along with Lucifiel.
Lucifiel is strong.
She has large breasts, an outstanding figure, speaks arrogantly, and acts on her emotions.
But she’s just a kid.
“Kids are best lured with sweets, kukuku.”
Besides, Demonkin usually eat Dark Matter.
In other words, they have bad taste.
Maybe I can lure her with something as simple as amber candy.
I think there should be sugar in the Demon Lord’s Castle kitchen.
Not to brag, but in my previous life, I was good with my hands and made three-dimensional sculptures out of amber candy to kill time.
I’ll make something that Lucifiel would like.
A few days later.
I met Lucifiel at a place prepared by Marisela-sama.
At first, she was openly displeased to see me, but that was only for a moment.
“W-what is this!?”
“It’s a three-dimensional sculpture made of amber candy, ‘Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah’.”
“I-it’s amazing! I don’t understand it, but it’s amazing!”
It was a big hit. It worked out well.
―――――――――――――――――――――
Afterword
A trivial side story
Author: “There are some people who have these kinds of mysterious talents, aren’t there?”
Lucifiel: “Is that so?”
If you thought, “His favorability is slowly increasing!!”, “I’m curious about the Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah candy sculpture,” or “I understand the afterword,” please leave a comment, bookmark, star rating, or review.