The smithy tends to be full of heat, and if one is careful, one might sweat too much and faint from dehydration.

When working with dozens of requests, sometimes a blacksmith will become numb from the exhaustion.

If a blacksmith can’t control his level of concentration, he’ll end up killing himself.

Her master often said that to her.

‘If you want to be a full-fledged person, you have to understand your limits, first.’

“Fuhaaa! Haa… I need to take a break, soon.”

“What a tremendous level of concentration.”

“It’s amazing. But it’s unwise to not even take note that we’re here.”

Other than the sound of blacksmithing, a voice came to my ears.

I could hear the voices of the two well.

Looking back, Grave had his arms crossed, while Ibris was waving lightly.

“Didn’t you guys go home? When did you come back?”

“Since thirty minutes ago.”

“I’ve been watching you for a long time, but you didn’t notice?”

“No…”

So, they’ve been there for a while…

I didn’t notice at all.

“You two were early. I thought you’d come a bit later.”

“My job is going well, surprisingly so.”

“It’s because I have a lot of free time!”

“…I just can’t retort.”

Grave sighed regretfully.

I checked the clock and realized that I was finished working for the day.

“Do you want to go home?”

“Yes.”

“What’s for dinner?”

“You’ve only been thinking about eating from the morning…”

We left the smithy together and returned home while basking in joyful, friendly, conversation.

Ten days had passed since Ibris had come to the city.

He was more getting more familiar with our lives than expected.

He acted so human, it was hard to consider him as the Demon King. The people around him weren’t intimidated by him either.

When he walked around the city, women sometimes called out to him.

For some time now, he said that he was free and he had nothing to do. Thus, sometimes, he helped Grave out.

As we went down the road to get home, Anna was the first to notice us.

“All three of you have returned!”

“I’m back.”

“Anna, can you prepare meals for three?”

“Anna, I’m looking forward to it today, too!”

“Yes, leave it to me!”

Ibris sat down with an excited face.

He was smiling like a kid waiting for a treat.

“Ibris, you were a great help today!”

“Hmm? It’s nothing. If it’s only that, it’s the equivalent of kicking a pebble.”

“As expected of the Demon King, you’re too reliable!”

“Don’t fall for me? I’m not into that kind of stuff.”

The people whom were talking were the people he had helped that day.

They were helped by Ibris, and thanked him many times.

Listening to their stories, it seemed that Ibris’ brave and cool fighting appearance had dazzled them.

“Hey, Grave.”

“Hmm?”

“Did Ibris fight using his current form?”

“Yes, even though he said he can’t go full out in human form, he’s still formidable.”

“Is that so…”

“…Did he pique your interest?”

“Eh, it’s nothing like that.”

“Is that so…”

Grave seemed to be fidgety and restless.

Ever since Ibris arrived, I have been seeing new sides to Grave. It was great.

One of those sides included his fidgety side.

“You can be cute too, it seems.”

“What? Ibris?”

“I mean Grave.”

“M, me? Cute?”

His confused face was refreshing because he didn’t usually show it.

It was probably due to the arrival of Ibris.

“What are you two whispering about?”

“It’s nothing like that.”

“Yes.”

“Hmm? How suspicious.”

“It isn’t anything suspicious.”

Ibris eyed us with suspicion.

Anna brought our meals.

“Sorry to have kept you waiting!”

“I’ve been waiting!”

Ibris was distracted in an instant as he began wolfing down his food.

Ibris seemed to be addicted to eating, and he’d mention it anytime, anywhere.

He also seemed to be fond of Anna’s cooking, looking forward to it every day.

Anna looked happy to know that about him, and was honing her skills every day.

Like that, the days passed by.

They were gentle and lively.

The extraordinary existence seemed to be dyed in the color of an ordinary everyday life.

No one was thinking about such difficult topics such as whether he was a Demon King or a human being.

I thought so and so did Grave.

I thought that it’d be good if those days could continue to tomorrow and the day after.

But—

“Hmm?”

“What is that sound?”

“I’m sorry, it seems that my subordinate is trying to contact me.”

Ibris responded.

“What happened, Jaeger?”

“Demon… King…”

What I heard was the fleeting voice of a man who was about to pass away.

Ibris’ expression became sharp.

“What happened?”

“Truly, sorry…”

“What happened, Jaeger!?”

The imminent atmosphere was transmitted to the dining room and the tension increased.

Not only us, but everyone listened to the communication.

“Several executives… betrayed…”

“What did you say?”

“I, did my best, to stop them…”

“You did a good job, are you safe?”

“Yes, but 70% of the army… is trying to kill the Demon King.”

“Are they coming this way?”

“Escape, please…”

The communication was interrupted.

“Jaeger? Respond, Jaeger!”

Ibris’ voice echoed in the dining room.

---

***T/N: And now the Demon King is going to slay his own army and be crowned as the new hero!

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