Chapter 2 – Two people living together
“Wow, this is amazing. So this is the royal capital. It’s huge, isn’t it? This is beyond what I imagined.”
Returning from the Gazara region to Saria’s home in the Rosen Republic’s capital, Asaha. The moment she saw the sprawling cityscape of the capital, Anya’s eyes widened in astonishment.
“…They used to call it the royal capital. Now it’s just the capital.”
“Details, huh?”
“Our country transitioned from a monarchy to a republic. It’s important to be precise about that.”
“Even if you say so, you know… It was called the royal capital for as long as I can remember, so it’s not like I can change the name now.”
While saying such things, Anya looked around the cityscape with great interest.
“It’s amazing. This is the first time I’ve seen so many people.”
She was completely transformed into a country bumpkin.
“…You were born before it was the capital… How old are you exactly?”
It’s been 50 years since the transition from monarchy to republic, but…
“…20.”
The answer came easily.
…20 is a plausible age for Anya. But even so, how old would she be in human terms?
(But thinking about stuff like Anya’s age is pointless. She’s the one I have to defeat. Thinking about it won’t change anything…)
I tell myself that. Besides, there are more important things to worry about right now.
“…Hey, let’s hurry up and go.”
Returning home is the first priority. Anya may only look like an ordinary girl on the surface. That much is obvious to anyone. However, there is a real risk that someone knowledgeable about magic or demons could recognize her true identity. While being discovered is frightening, what’s even more concerning is the possibility that Anya might attack someone. While feeling the blood drain from my face, I desperately searched for Anya, fearing the worst.
“Huh, this is delicious.”
She was there.
“I told you! This cake is said to have been made by a princess and her knight together. It’s Asaha’s famous Asaha Cake!!”
“That’s quite a straightforward name. And I don’t really get why a princess and a knight would be making cake together. But it’s really delicious.”
With a smile on her face, she ate cake from the stall. She seemed to be getting along well with the shopkeeper.
“Hey, you! What are you doing?!”
Feeling relieved, bewildered and angry, I approached Anya.
“Huh? Saria? This is amazing, you know? This is the first time I’ve eaten such delicious cake.”
She looked genuinely happy. It didn’t seem like she was a demon. It was a girlish smile. However, the sight of cake crumbs on her lips looked a bit silly.
(But, but…)
Memories of the cave came flooding back. I couldn’t help but remember the sudden kiss. The softness and warmth I felt just by remembering it made my face flush.
(No, no, don’t think about it! That was like an accident! It’s different from a kiss. It’s, uh, that’s right! It’s just food! It’s just food on the demon! So, it’s fine! Yeah, it’s fine! So forget about it! Forget about it!)
I shook my head vigorously, trying to shake off the memory of the kiss.
“Is something wrong?”
Perhaps she found my attitude suspicious, as Anya tilted her head.
“N-no, it’s nothing!”
“Really? Well, okay… Oh, but anyway.”
Anya changed the subject. Feeling a little relieved, I asked, “What is it?”
“Do you want to try some cake? It’s delicious.”
Anya cut a piece of cake with a fork and offered it to Saria.
“N-no, I’m fine…”
“You don’t want it? Well, then I’ll eat it.”
“Um, well…”
Staring at what was being offered. It’s a shortcake that smells delicious. The generous layer of cream is incredibly appetizing. Just looking at it made my stomach growl.
Come to think of it, I haven’t been eating many sweet things lately. Because of my meager funds…
There is indeed something called an ancestral bonus. However, it’s been 50 years since the authority of the nobility was lost. Even the bonuses have dwindled considerably. There’s no room to buy unnecessary things. Restraint was essential. That’s why I’ve been avoiding sweet things I love…
But my heart wavers at the sight of it being presented in front of me after such a long time.
“You want to eat it, don’t you?”
As perceptive as ever.
“No… I…”
But a knight doesn’t give in to desires. What’s important now is to move home quickly. This farce should be ignored and reason is urging me.
“Come on, open wide.”
But the cake is pushed closer to me. Anya is clearly teasing me. I know that. I understand it. But…
“Ahh…”
I couldn’t resist. I ate the offered cake. I took a bite.
“O-oh… It’s delicious…”
The inside of my mouth was rejoicing. The moment I ate the cake, sweetness spread inside my mouth. Sparks flew in my brain. It was so intensely sweet that I felt like my body might melt into a puddle. It was delicious to the point where my thoughts became chaotic. I hold my cheek and squint blissfully.
“I’m glad to be alive.”
I truly felt that way from the bottom of my heart.
“Wow, that’s quite a face you’re making, knight. It’s kind of…heh, indecent.”
Anya looks at Saria with a slightly bewildered expression. As Saria felt the golden gaze on her, she remembered the situation she was in.
“H-hey, don’t say weird things!!”
Straightening her posture.
“Weird things? But it’s true.”
“S-shut up!! Instead of that, let’s hurry up and go to my house! You need to understand your position!!”
“You’re quick to get angry just because you’re embarrassed.”
Anya’s smile was sly.
“J-just shut up!!”
Feeling her face turning red, Saria grabbed Anya’s hand and forcibly dragged her along.
“Wait!!”
But she was stopped.
“Is there something else—”
She tried to curse Anya with a sharp look, like a knife.
“It’s not me.”
But it wasn’t Anya who stopped her, it was the cake stall lady. Smiling, she looked at them.
“W-what?”
What could it be? A bad feeling arises.
“…For the payment — 700 Lei, please♪”
Smiling, she held out both hands.
“I see…Hey, Anya.”
If she bought it, she has to pay.
“…I don’t have it.”
But Anya shook her head easily.
“What!?”
“Even if you say that. Do you really think I carry money?”
“T-that’s…”
Certainly, it’s hard to imagine demons carrying human currency. In that case…
“Are you perhaps dining without paying? If so…”
The smile on the lady’s face is scary. If left alone, she’ll undoubtedly call the guards.
“I’ll pay! I’ll pay, okay!!”
I hurriedly take out my wallet and pay the cake fee to the lady.
(Ugh… My allowance for this month…)
It felt like grains were slipping away.
Moreover, being troubled by Anya with the cake incident was not the only thing that happened at the cake shop. Even afterward, on the way home, Anya constantly found something of interest — Anya would reach out for food and each time, Saria would be forced to pay.
“I’m really sorry about this.”
She apologizes, but doesn’t seem genuinely sorry.
(Ugh… Anya…)
“But I’m a demon, after all.”
That was a reply that didn’t make sense.
“But why does Anya want so much food? Isn’t human vitality what you need? Your food is supposed to be human energy, isn’t it?”
“I need vitality for recovery. I constantly deplete my energy just by existing. Food is separate from that. It’s necessary for maintaining my life activities… And, this is quite delicious too… Yummy♪”
She talks while eating the bread she bought from the stall.
“You’re quite voracious.”
“It’s like a downside of having immense power.”
“…I see.”
It was a fairly convincing answer. However, I couldn’t help but feel like they were eating too much.
“…Do you always have to eat this much?”
Thinking about it made me a little scared. If she keeps eating at this pace until her hunger is satisfied, no amount of food would be enough.
“It’s not like that.”
But Anya shook her head casually.
“But look, see? My height… It’s not much different from an average human, right?”
“…Certainly. Well, you’re smaller than me… or rather, below average…”
“But even though I’m this petite, Saria doesn’t have any chest.”
“G-Guh!!”
A jab pierces my chest like a knife.
“Ahh, so you’re concerned about that. Ahaha… Anyway, let’s get back to the topic. Despite being a demon, my body size is the same as humans. So, the energy required for maintaining life activities is also the same as humans.”
While munching on another piece of bread, she speaks.
“I see… Then wouldn’t you be quite full by now?”
Ever since coming to the capital, Anya has been eating non-stop.
“Of course. Honestly, my stomach is bulging — look.”
She taps her lower abdomen. It’s hard to tell because of her Gothic dress that doesn’t show much of her figure, but her lower abdomen is probably quite swollen. Feeling a bit exasperated, I sigh.
“You don’t really have to force yourself to eat.”
“Well, that’s true.”
Anya smiles wryly.
“But you know, coming to such a big city for the first time, eating such delicious things for the first time, it’s inevitable that you’d get excited, right?”
“That’s…”
It’s not entirely unreasonable.
“Hmm? But wait a minute. The first time? Even though you’ve been alive for 20 years?”
“…I’m only 20… In demon terms, I’m still a youngling.”
“Still, you’ve had — 20 years to come to the capital — back then it was the royal capital, right? So, you’ve had quite some time. It’s not like you’re that busy.”
“Well, yeah. But, you know… When there are so many people around, there’s also the possibility of being spotted by demons, right? These places are dangerous. Unless there are humans who side with us like you, we can’t stay here.”
The power of demons far surpasses that of humans. However, it’s not something that can never be matched. There were certainly individuals among humans who could engage with demons on an equal footing. Perhaps Anya was too young to deal with demon hunters like that. However, Saria felt that there was more to why Anya didn’t approach the capital. The reason was simple. Anya’s presence somehow seemed lonely…
(No, it must be my imagination. Demons feeling lonely? Unthinkable.)
I shake off the thought.
(Certainly, she looks like a young girl and seems cute. Her behavior is so light-hearted that it’s hard to believe she’s a demon. However, she preys on people and consumes their vitality. I must not let my guard down. Absolutely, do not let your guard down.) Despite her appearance and her seemingly casual way of speaking that almost makes one forget, Anya was known to have attacked neighboring villages. I must not underestimate her. Reminding myself of this, I tighten my expression.
“I haven’t sided with you. It’s just circumstances that I can’t help. My goal is to exterminate you, so never forget that.”
“…Of course. I understand.”
“If you understand, then that’s enough.”
I say coldly and increase my walking speed.
＊
“When you consider your circumstances, you’re living in a large house”, Anya said with curiosity as she entered the house in one corner of the capital and began to look around the interior.
It was a two-story house with a living room, kitchen, bathroom and several bedrooms on the first floor. There were also two bedrooms on the second floor. Indeed, it was a large house for one person, as demons usually prefer solitude.
“In the past, it was just my father, mother and me. And…”
For a former noble’s house, it was surprisingly humble. After the collapse of the monarchy, the Heartness family lost their estate. All that remained was a meager fortune. It seemed acquiring a house of this size was the limit with that fortune. However, that wasn’t something she disclosed. Maybe Anya wasn’t interested, but she didn’t inquire further.
“As long as your wounds heal, feel free to use this house however you like. You can use any room you fancy.”
“However I like? Huh, very generous of you.”
“You seem like quite the free spirit. I doubt you’d listen even if I imposed restrictions.”
“Hmm, you seem to understand me quite well.”
She didn’t refute.
(Show some restraint.)
Since probing further seemed pointless, I cursed inwardly.
“However, there’s one condition.”
“A condition?”
“…Absolutely do not attack anyone. Do not harm anyone. If you do, regardless of any favors, I will kill you without hesitation.”
I directed a sharp gaze along with my words.
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
Her reply was a smile. It wasn’t clear how serious she was.
(For now, I have no choice but to trust her. But… I won’t let my guard down.)
I reset my focus. Just then, Anya’s stomach growled loudly.
“Ugh, I’m starting to get hungry.”
She muttered while rubbing her stomach.
“What? You’re hungry again? Didn’t you just eat a lot earlier?”
Wasn’t her required intake no different from humans?
“That’s true, but right now, I’m expending a lot of energy to heal my wounds. It’s not just vitality, but also the nutrients from the food I’ve eaten that are being diverted there. So, I get hungry quickly. That’s the gist of it.”
Anya grinned. It was a sinister smile. A little scary.
“What… What are you thinking?”
“Hehe, well, look at this!”
Anya proudly revealed a book she had pulled out from somewhere. The cover of the book read ‘Royal Capital Foodie Map’.
“What’s that?”
“Hehe, I got this book in case I ever had the opportunity to visit the capital. With this book, you can find all the best restaurants in the capital!”
“…”
Maybe, rather than for the purpose of healing her wounds, she simply liked to eat. This demon…
“What’s with that dumbfounded look!”
Anya noticed my expression.
“What’s with you… well, I guess it’s okay! Since I like human cuisine!”
“Well, if you say so… I’m not going to complain about a demon’s preferences. Let me borrow that book for a moment.”
“Hmm? Sure.”
Anya received the Royal Capital Foodie Map from the demon and checked its contents.
“How’s it? Looks like there are lots of delicious places, right?”
The book not only contained the names of the restaurants and their signature dishes but also pictures of the restaurant exteriors and dishes.
“It does look delicious… but sorry, you can’t go to any of the restaurants in this book.”
“Why not?!”
Anya’s gaze shot up.
“Why not? Why?!”
“Don’t you think it’s obvious? Practically all the restaurants in this book are no longer around.”
“Huh?”
Anya’s eyes widened as if his pupils were about to pop out.
“What? Wh-wh-why?!”
“Why? Isn’t it obvious? How old do you think this book is?”
“Oh…”
It seems Anya realized it then. The title of the book included the words ‘Royal Capital’, indicating it was at least fifty years old.
“That’s… disappointing…”
Anya slumped to the floor, dropping to her knees. The expression on her face was one of despair.
(Well, that’s a bit… dramatic…)
It was an overreaction that made you want to point it out. Anya was genuinely feeling down. Watching her slump like that—combined with her youthful appearance — made her look incredibly pitiful.
“Well… it can’t be helped.”
With that, Saria looked back at the Foodie Map.
“So, what dish were you looking forward to?”
“What dish… at a time like this…”
“Just tell me.”
“In that case… Rosen Pasta on page 135.”
It was an unusually specific answer to the question. When I looked at the page mentioned, indeed, Rosen Pasta was listed. It seemed Anya had memorized it down to the page number. Was Anya just bored? I wondered as I responded, “Got it” and headed to the kitchen.
“…What are you going to do?”
Anya followed along, looking curious.
“What am I going to do? Well… you wanted Rosen Pasta, right? Though… I can’t replicate the taste of the restaurant, I can make something close.”
I answered as I put on an apron over my knight’s attire.
“You can cook? You… can make dishes?”
“Of course. I’ve been living alone for five years already. I can cook.”
“Five years? How old are you?”
“…Eighteen.”
As I answered, I quickly started cooking since luckily all the ingredients for the pasta were available.
“…You’re quite skilled. Where did you learn? Don’t tell me you’re self-taught?”
Anya watched with keen interest as I cooked.
“No, after my parents passed away, there was a couple who took care of me. They taught me.”
I recalled the servant couple who had served the Heartness family even after their downfall. While everyone else looked down on the Heartness family, they were the only humans who served the family. They were almost like another set of parents to Saria.
But now, they were gone too. With the remaining assets dwindling, I could no longer afford to pay their wages. Even so, they said, “We don’t need any wages. We can’t leave Miss alone. So, we’ll always be together.” But Saria declined their offer.
“Their kindness was appreciated. But, I couldn’t allow it. So… when I become a splendid knight, then maybe at that time…”
They parted ways like that a year ago.
(What am I doing?)
While thinking about that again, I managed to finish the pasta.
“Here, it’s done. Let’s eat.”
I set the dish on the table in the kitchen.
“Wow. It looks just like the picture… That’s an unexpected talent. I thought a woman aiming to be a knight would only focus on fighting.”
“I have interests beyond just wielding a sword.”
“Oh… What kind of things?”
She glanced at me with a mysterious look, licking her lips provocatively.
Because of that gesture, memories of our kiss came flooding back.
“W-Well, it doesn’t matter. Just eat it already! The food I made will get cold!”
I hurriedly told Anya.
“Right, you’re right… Well then, itadakimasu ♪”
Taking a fork in hand, Anya took a bite of the pasta.
“…”
Suddenly, Anya froze in place. She was stiff, with the fork halfway to her mouth, as if she’d turned into stone.
“What’s wrong?”
I couldn’t help but worry. Maybe the food tasted bad?
“De…”
In response to my question, he muttered just one word.
“De?”
What was going on? I started to feel really concerned.
But…
“It’s delicious!!”
It was a sigh of relief.
“This is amazing! Really! Is this… Are you kidding? I can’t believe it…”
Anya repeated such phrases while enthusiastically devouring the pasta.
“Usually in these situations, a terrible dish comes out and it gets a little awkward and I tease you, right? But… Really? This… I can’t stop. I can’t stop eating it!!”
Seemingly familiar with scenarios from novels, she rambled about theories while Anya kept eating with gusto. I was left baffled about how to react.
“Huh? What’s wrong, Saria? Are you not going to eat? If not, can I have it♪”
As I stood there frozen, Anya reached for Saria’s plate.
“Hey! Wait a… wait!! I’m going to eat too! So wait!! Don’t — Hey, don’t be so selfish!!”
A cry rang out in the kitchen.
＊
After finishing dinner, Saria returned to her room, changed into a tank top and boxer-style shorts and lay down on her bed, pondering such things.
The demon she had imagined was like a monster. It wouldn’t spare a thought for others, seeing them only as prey. It lacked compassion. Conversing with it would be impossible. The only path was to kill or be killed. That’s what she thought Anya was supposed to be like.
But Anya was completely different.
(No… I shouldn’t let my guard down. Maybe that’s just a ploy of hers. To catch people off guard, to exploit weaknesses in their hearts. And then take everything from them — such evil exists, surely.)
I mustn’t underestimate them.
“Excuse me.”
Just as she was in the midst of these thoughts, the door to the room suddenly opened.
“Huh!?”
Anya entered the room without knocking.
“W-What… What are you doing here all of a sudden!!”
I was thrown off by the sudden visit.
“I just wanted to talk and wow, this is quite an unexpected room.”
Anya looked around the room and smirked.
“Unexpected — Ah!!”
I realized the situation of my own room. Pink curtains, flowers on the windowsill and numerous cute stuffed animals—it was a room that screamed ‘girly’.
“With your stiff demeanor and aiming to become a knight, I thought you’d be living a more austere life, but it turns out you’re good at cooking and you love cute things, huh. Hehe, I see, I see.”
She picked up a stuffed animal, making mocking remarks.
“No! That’s not it! So, come on, get out! Get out!”
All I could do was blush and raise my voice, but of course, for no reason, Anya continued to linger in the room.
“Well, there’s no need to be so embarrassed. I like cute things too, you know.”
“I-It’s annoying…”
I was almost in tears.
“Anyway, what business do you have in my room?”
But I couldn’t just mope around. I desperately tried to compose myself and asked why she was here.
“What business? Well, to get fed, of course.”
“To get fed? This is my room, though.”
“That’s true, but you said I could use any room I like, right?”
That was indeed true. However, there were plenty of other rooms available. There was no need to choose this one…
“In order for me to recover, I need energy. And who better to give me energy than you?”
“Well, that’s… certainly true, but…”
According to Anya, it would be convenient for both of us if we were in the same room.
“Convenient? What do you mean?”
“Whatever it means… if we’re together, we can easily do this.”
With that, Anya climbed onto the bed and pushed Saria down.
“W-What are you doing!!”
I was thrown off by the suddenness of it all.
“What am I doing? There’s nothing. Today, I had plenty to eat, but I didn’t get the essential energy. You understand what I mean, right?”
“T-That’s…”
Of course, I understood. There was no way I wouldn’t.
Once again, the memory of the kiss in the cave flashed in my mind.
“So… is it okay?”
“H-However… doesn’t that… require me to be aroused? But I’m not particularly…”
As I said that, I glanced at the lips of the silver-haired girl leaning over me. Her lips were moist and beautiful. There were no cracks and they looked very fresh.
(Me… these lips and a kiss…)
Thinking made me thirsty. Unconsciously, I swallowed hard.
(What am I thinking about! Don’t think about weird things!!)
I desperately tried to convince myself. But the more I tried, the more my heart raced.
“Are you really not aroused?”
Anya asked with a mischievous expression.
“Ah… Of course not.”
I had no choice but to nod.
“Then… let me try.”
With those words, she slowly brought her lips to mine.
“Ah… no, stop…”
I tried to protest. However, Anya didn’t stop.
“Mm… mmm…”
Once again, her lips met mine. And this time, it wasn’t just a simple kiss.
(Huh… her tongue…)
Anya slipped her tongue into my mouth.
“Mm… mmm…”
I tried to turn away in panic. I tried to close my lips to prevent her intrusion. But no matter how much I resisted, Anya pushed her tongue further in. Our tongues tangled, tracing each tooth. She sandwiched my upper lip with hers, making slurping sounds as she sucked.
“Suck… slurp… gulp… smack… slurp…”
Vulgar sounds echoed throughout the room from the connected lips.
(What a lewd sound.)
Just hearing it made me feel even more embarrassed. It felt like my head was about to explode from embarrassment. However, despite feeling so embarrassed, my body started to heat up inexplicably. As her tongue stirred my mouth, saliva flowed in and my mouth was vigorously sucked, I felt a tingling sensation all over my body, as if it were throbbing.
(This… this is… feeling good?)
A sweet numbness enveloped my entire body. It felt like all the strength was draining from my body.
(No. No… it’s… just my imagination… Ah… but…)
I wanted to believe this feeling was a lie. However, as her tongue moved, the heat intensified.
“Mmm…”
I couldn’t resist. I was just being manipulated inside my mouth. Eventually, a sensation ran through my body as if something was being sucked out of me.
“Mmm… haaaah… haa… haa… haa…”
Then, Anya’s lips parted with a “pop.” A string of saliva stretched between our lips.
“See… you’re excited after all.”
Anya whispered with narrowed eyes and a heated voice.
“No… I’m not… aroused…”
I denied it and protested again. But I knew my argument had no credibility…
“You’re so stubborn… and prideful.”
Anya laughed at me and gently stroked my cheek. A gentle touch. It reminded me of when I was coddled by my mother. I understood that my opponent was Anya, but I couldn’t help but feel comfortable.
“I’m not… stubborn…”
While still resisting, I closed my eyes and let myself be carried away by the comfort. And then, I fell asleep…
＊
Eventually, did that really happen as it seemed…? How disappointing.
When the morning sunlight streamed in through the gap in the curtains, the first feeling Saria felt was regret. Being treated like that by Anya was truly unbecoming of a knight.
(First of all, if she had done something while I was unconscious…)
Just thinking about it filled me with fear. If someone had been harmed, I wouldn’t be fit to be a knight. I might not even be able to live with myself.
(But come to think of it, where’s Anya?)
As I thought about it, I realized Anya wasn’t in the room.
(Could she really have gone to town…?)
My face went pale. I hurriedly got up and left the room. Just then, I heard the sound of something breaking coming from downstairs.
“What’s going on!?”
I rushed into the kitchen where the sound had come from.
“Oh, no…”
The sight that greeted me as I entered the kitchen was Anya, holding her head in her hands. And scattered all over the floor were pieces of pottery… Several plates had been broken.
“…W-what is this?”
My body trembled uncontrollably at the unexpected turn of events. It was terrible. The house was in shambles.
“Ah, um… Sorry about that…”
She apologized with a sheepish grin. Honestly, she was cute.
But her cuteness couldn’t overshadow the chaos in the kitchen and the mess everywhere else.
“I’m not asking for an apology… What on earth happened here?”
I said quietly.
“Y-you’re scary, Saria-chan…”
“I don’t care about that. I’m asking what you did.”
“Uh, well… you see…”
Anya rambled on, sweating profusely. “I wanted to thank you for the delicious food and the wonderful energy I received, so I thought I’d clean up your room as a little thank-you. I tried to use magic… but because of the injuries, I couldn’t control my magic properly… Teh-he♪”
She lightly tapped her own head with her fist. It was a playful gesture. Combined with her girlish appearance, she was still cute. But—
“Aaahh!!”
I didn’t care about any of that. Forgetting that my opponent was Anya, I exploded with anger, as if scolding a child.
“Hey! Wait! Stop!”
Anya, uncharacteristically, half-tearfully cried out in protest. And so, the chaos between the two of us began.
