150 Mushoku Tensei

Old Kishirisu Castle.
Its appearance, in a nutshell, of a demon castle.
Constructed from special masonry, a black gold castle.
Its one glaring flaw is a gigantic hole on the castle tower.
Although not as sophisticated as Perugius' Sky Castle, it still is a very beautiful structure.
It's probably more desirable for those interested in the practical.

Normally it serves as a tourist attraction, open to the public, a castle that charges admission fee.s
Apparently divided into tourist section and resident section.
We're brought to an audience hall.
Not the great throne room that's open to the public.
A narrow and practical audience hall.

In this narrow hall, black clad soldiers line up shoulder to shoulder.
A tight squeeze, and hot too.

And then, on the jade throne in this stuffy hall, no one's there.

I been waiting for over two hours here.
Outside, the sun has set long ago.
Although standing isn't much of a torture, but would it hurt if they prepare a seat for me?
By the way, right now only Zanoba and I are present.
Elinalise and Cliff were led away by some soldiers underground to gather the medicine.

"Hey, where is Atofe-sama?"
"I told you, we already called for her."
"This is taking too long, don't tell me she left town already..."
"She's loose with time, even inside the castle she might be a day late."
"But it's not good if we keep the guests waiting..."
"You there, be quiet."

The soldiers whispering among themselves.
A rather uninhibited bunch.
Somehow looking at them like this is rather reassuring.
When I checked, the old soldier has been staring at us.

"Atofe-sama will arrive soon, please hold on for a little more.  By the way, don't ask for a reward."
"Ha?"
"We won't able to help if she offers you a reward."
"Eh... Okay, I understand."

I nod candidly.
Even though I don't know what the reward might be.
Well, I wasn't planning for a reward in the first place.
A reward for selling out Kishirika, I don't want something so wicked.

Kishirika is currently tied up, squirming on the floor like a Caterpillar.
Looks like punishments are in store for her.  Spankings?  Scrub the toilet?  Hopefully nothing too serious...

Regardless I should watch my words.
The opponent is a Demon Lord.
The only ones I have met so far are Badigadi and Kishirika.
If those two get angry... well?
Probably not a good thing.

"Out of the way!"

Suddenly, a sound from the back.
I turn around to look and see a woman standing there.
Out of all that I have seen so far, that woman is the most demon-like of all.
Blue skined, white hair.
Crimson eyes, bat wings.
And then, from her forehead, a pair of great horns.

Her body is clad with black armor like the soldiers.
No, her armor looks well worn, far more than the soldiers'.
Covered in scars, all the decorations peeled off.
It has seen its share of battles.

Hanging off her waist, a great sword too big to imagine for her slender wrists.
Even its scabbard looks more stylish than the soldiers'.

Not particularly tall.
About normal for a mature woman.
A little taller than Ariel, a little shorter than me, around there.

But the thing really worthy of note.
Is the unspeakable anger and killing intent radiating from her.
A difficult to explain sense of violence.
Basically, kind of like Eris.

Like a female knight.
No, more appropriately a female knight commander.
Probably better I avoid her bad side.

"Were you not hear me?  Out of the way!"
"Ah, yes."

Following her instruction, I made way for her.

"Good."

The female knight commander flicks her hair, unceremoniously walks up to the throne, and turns around.
Unsheath from her waist the great sword, she slams it on the ground standing arrogantly.
Then, after a deep breath, said.

"It is I, Immortal Demon Lord Atoferatofe Raibaku."
"... Eh?"

While I was bewildered, the black clad soldiers hurriedly raises their sword in salute.
All, except one adjacent to the throne.
The old soldier from before.

"Atofe-sama!  Why did you came from there?  When you arrive at the throne, come from the back.  How many times do I need to remind you?"
"I have decided.  The front feels better."
"Don't be so reckless!"
"You know what?  After an arduous journey hero challenging the Demon Lord, the moment when he comes face to face with the Demon Lord at the throne, that feeling is very exhilirating."
"So what!  Think of how disappointed your father, one of the five Great Demon Lords, might think.  Besides, your husband, ... "