◇Menace・Noa
……Formerly the last boss. Possesses the power of mamono creation.

◇Glasya-Labolas
……Menace’s beloved pet dog. Possesses the skill of [Transparency]. Has wings. Not a mount with a human face.

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“……Fumu, something like this?”

It is the day after I retired from being the last boss and I’ve been standing before a full-length mirror in a clothing shop since morning. Reflected within the mirror is a silver-haired, handsome young man fitted in the clothing of the ordinary populous.

In order to disguise myself, I cut my long hair, did away with the mask that concealed my face, and changed my garments for something fashionable within the empire, but……

“Waa, you pull this look off really well, okyaku-sama!”
“Kukuku…… naturally.”

As I am the last boss of [Resis Noah], a lot of effort in particular went into designing this character. As I’ve not only been made appealing to the eye but also given height and long limbs, I’ll pull off any look no matter what I wear.

Although…… isn’t the parameter of my charm too high?

Looking around, I find that the daughters of all the customers are all whispering amongst themselves while looking this way. When I look at them, their cheeks blush and they release shrill, “Kyaa kyaa!”

My time of popularity has finally arrived, except……the thing is, I’m going to disappear after this. I shouldn’t stand out too much. 

I grab a cloak with a hood that can cover my face.

“Clerk, I’m buying this cloak too.”
“Understood, your total comes to 1000 shiru.”
“Mu……”

Come to think of it, this is my first time doing my own shopping. I don’t know the value of money. I had one hundred percent fully delegated financial affairs to the bureaucrats too……

If I’m not mistaken, 『1 shiru = 100 yen』more or less, according to an interview in a video game journal. That means, 1000 shiru is about 100,000 yen?

“For the time being, here you go.”

I bring out 1,000 large gold coins with a thud.

It’s money I took from the castle treasury before leaving. I will be troubled if what I took isn’t enough as it is all I have……

“Eeh, where did this……? Or rather, large gold coins!?”
The clerk backs away in shock.

“O-okyaku-sama, this is a problem!”
“Mu…… is it not enough? Then, what about double?”
“No, this is too much! Just 1 single large gold coin could buy you 10 cloaks!”
“Fumu, is that how it is?”

This small bit of change seems to be highly valuable.

“In that case, prepare clothing and undergarments that can be purchased with 1 large gold coin for me.”
“Un- understood!”

Somehow or another, I am able to make a good purchase. This is my first time shopping, so I end up buying a large amount of clothing. 

“Ano, here is clothing that can be purchased with 1 large gold coin.”
“This was for a great cause. Shadow Hand, put this away for me.”

I casually drop the received items towards my feet. A black hand shuffles up from the shadow underneath my feet and zubububu…… drags the items into my shadow.

Shadow Hand, despite being known as “a mamono that drags humans into the shadow realm,” has the skill [Shadow Concealment] that can also function as a storage space. Letting one dwell in your shadow is very convenient, so I absolutely recommend it. This is the wisdom for everyday life of the last boss.

“A- ahre, your purchase……”
“I stored it in my Eco Bag(world of shadows).”
“Ha- haa”

With the transaction finished, I part with the clerk. From there I wander around the imperial capital Gofel for a bit. The scenery is no different from when I would look down on it from the castle, but…… personally being part of said scenery, it’s quite the curious feeling.

A festive mood has overtaken the imperial capital’s main street. No matter where I look, cherry blossoms are fluttering and joyful music drifts about. The people are dancing with smiles on their faces to that rhythm. This sight matches the ending of [Resis Noah] perfectly.

Looks like the citizens, having received news of Demon Emperor Menace’s death, are rejoicing. Never would any one of them imagine said Demon Emperor Menace is casually walking around the city.

Well, going by my current appearance, no one should be able to recognize me as Demon Emperor Menace. For one, I’ve almost never appeared in public, and two, I’ve always worn a mask before government officials and aristocrats.

Although, seeing how everyone is this overjoyed at my death is all the same depressing… well, it’s fine. I retired from being the last boss in order to live my life freely. As such, I need to live my second life without any reservations.

While I am having such thoughts, my eyes lock onto a nearby food stall.

“Hey, shopkeeper. I’ll have that [Sparkling Cute☆ Delicious Strawberry Crepe Angel]!”
“Eh? Ahh, one strawberry crepe, thank you for your patronage!”

I buy a sweet crepe from the stall.

I’ve never had junk food like this before.

“Mu……! Hey, what is this food!? Call the chef!”
“Ch-chef? I, am the one who made that crepe…… is something wrong?”
“There is nothing wrong! What is this delicacy!? High praise to the chef!”
“Ha, haa……”

I take another bite from my crepe, and the taste is another critical hit just like before. The sweet cream and strawberry’s simple sourness strike my tongue with perfect harmony.

This is unarguably better than the deserts that are served in the castle. Then again, the meals at the castle place more emphasis on presentation with taste being secondary. As for the taste, I get the feeling the extravagance of the delicacy was pursued more than the actual taste.

“Kukuku…… I am delighted by this, zo.  I’ll buy an additional 100 crepes.”
“Eh, 100 crepe……?”

This is my 2nd large purchase of the day.

Shopping sure is fun. If it’s going to be like this, then I should have retired from being the last boss way sooner.

“Hora, Glasya-Labolas should have some too.”

I present a crepe to my beloved dog who is invisible by my side–– Glasya-Labolas.

“Hagu hagu hagu.”

He vigorously eats the crepe along with the wrapping paper. It’s an enthusiastic way of eating.

He’s a gourmet dog who only cares for bloody raw meat, yet he seems to have also taken a liking to that crepe.

“Th-the crepe is vanishing into thin air……?”
“That’s normal, don’t pay it any mind.”
“Ha, haa?”
“However, looking at it like this, I too give off the impression of being a splendid commoner.”
“Okyaku-san, a commoner……?

I may be saying it myself, but I think I blend in quite well. At first I thought there’d be no way the last boss could become a commoner, but as expected, there is nothing a genius like me can’t do.

“For now, I’ve finished with 10 of your strawberry crepes, but……”
“This was for a great cause. You have my compliments.”
“So it’s like that, zo.”

I receive my order of crepes.

“Oh.”
The shopkeeper suddenly raises his head.

“What happened, an enemy attack?”
“No, our eiyuu-sama have come.”
“……eiyuu?”

I look over my shoulder. Without my having noticed, a large crowd had formed along the road. Beyond that crowd…… all in all, it’s something like a parade for their triumphant return. As the horse drawn carts slowly pass, the trumpets of the master musicians blare.

“Thank you, revolutionary army!” “Alec-samaa!” “Uoooh!”

The people cheer every time the members of the revolutionary army wave their hands. In the game, every member in the revolutionary army except Alec was annihilated…… the story’s fate has changed considerably.

“Still, the revolutionary army looks to be quite popular.”
“Of course, they’re the ones who saved us from Demon Emperor Menace’s tyranny. They’re this country’s eiyuu.”

The shopkeeper’s hands are idle. He’s watching the parade.

“And so, the eiyuu Alexandra-sama graciously makes her appearance.”

Coming at the tailend of the parade is an extravagant carriage without a roof. Riding in it is a beautiful, blond haired girl. I recognize her even at this distance–– she is the heroine, Alec.

“……such support, thank you!”

Alec responds to the cheering by amiably waving her hand. The smile on her face is mysteriously captivating for the people, but for some reason…… her eyes, I’m given the impression a shadow of melancholy dwells somewhere inside them. During the game’s ending, she showed me a smile as brilliant as the sun, one without any impurities, but……

……No, that has nothing to do with me.

With that thought in mind, I try to turn away from Alec.

“……Mu.”

All of a sudden–– I feel murderous intent.

I look towards it at that same moment and see a hazy shadow moving around on top of the clock tower.

“……An assassin?”

This timing is awfully early, but…… the target is probably Alec. Is this another country’s ploy to destabilize the Noa Empire? Or is the goal to create a vacancy for the imperial throne? I can imagine any number of reasons for killing Alec.

I turn towards her, but she still doesn’t seem to have noticed the assassin. Same for the other members of the revolutionary army and the soldiers surrounding her carriage. 

No, more like…… 

…… has no one noticed other than me?

On top of the clock tower, a light flashes. 

That’s the light of a magic circle. I can’t see too well because of the distance, but judging from the magic circle’s composition, it’s most likely a snipe system spell.

That would be instant death for Alec at her current level.

“……Che”

I yank the hood of my cloak over my head and leap high into the air.

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T/N: After a long time, this updates again.  Summer vacation is great for getting things done, too bad it is almost over…

~Lyfe

<2.2 I’m Going to Try and Pretend to be Defeated by the Heroine
4. I Tried Rescuing the Heroine>