Combatants Will Be Dispatched - Volume 5 - Chapter 1.5

5 

According to Snow’s information, the Demon Lord was supposed to be some middle-aged guy. 

So who the hell is this hottie trying to play it cool while blushing all the way to the tips of her ears? 

Anyway, first things first. 

“Sorry, I didn’t quite catch that. From the top, please.” 

“Huh…?” 

The bashful girl clearly wasn’t expecting anyone to request an encore, and she freezes. 

“Yeah, I need to hear that again. I’ll record it this time, so go ahead.” 

“Um… A-all right, I understand… One more time, then…” 

“Lady Viper, you don’t need to bother with the customary greeting! These people are just teasing you, Your Majesty!” 

As the trembling young woman prepares to repeat herself, Camille hurriedly stops her. 

I’m sure the whole thing about a “swift and painless death” was just a part of the Demon Lord’s greeting. The Kisaragi Supreme Leaders all have similar rehearsed lines, so I get it. 

Standing at the head of our group, Alice speaks up. 

“I’m the negotiator representing the Kisaragi Corporation, Ms. Alice. Given that we’re on the top floor of the castle and you’re being addressed as Lady Viper, can I assume you’re the Demon Lord?” 

…Huh? 

“Wait, hold up. Is this girl really the Demon Lord? …Thank god! Having some edgy old man as the Demon Lord is so overdone! She seems like a pretty normal girl if you ask me, but that’s still way better than a guy!” 

“You’re in Her Majesty’s presence! Get a hold of yourself!” 

As my mood skyrockets, Camille does her best to calm me down. 

“E-emissaries of the kingdom of Grace, I thank you for coming all this way. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I am Viper, the Demon Lord,” 

Viper, still blushing, introduces herself. 

“…Now, then. Camille, thank you for your exemplary service thus far. I’ll take it from here. In my absence, I leave things in your capable hands.” 

“Y-Your Majesty…! …Please take care!” 

For some reason, Camille is on the verge of tears as she says this and repeatedly turns to look at Viper while making her way out of the room. 

That’s weird. The information we got ahead of time mentioned a haughty, selfish personality, so what was with that exchange? 

And what did she mean by “in her absence”…? 

Still, I decide to do as I was instructed by Alice on the way here and intimidate the enemy. 

“First off, the pleasure’s all mine, Your Majesty. I’m Combat Agent Six. You can go ahead and call me Mr. Six. Feel free to think of us as mercenaries hired by the kingdom of Grace. Our organization’s name is the Kisaragi Corporation. Like you, we’re also an evil organization.” 

“A—a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Six. I have heard much about you from Heine of the Flames.” 

For some reason, the Demon Lord shuffles backward after learning my name. 

Just how badly did Heine drag my name through the mud? 

“I don’t know what she said about me, but we have two demands! First, I trust you’re aware of how powerful we are, judging by the results of our recent skirmish. But if you insist we keep fighting, we’re happy to oblige! Just know if you are willing to agree to a cease-fire, then we demand reparations. Second, I want you to have a chat with this girl here.” 

Without relaxing my intimidating stance, I lightly nudge Rose from behind. 

“Um, I’m Rose, a Battle Chimera! I’m here today to ask the Demon Lord about my origins!” 

As Rose’s voice cracks from nerves, Viper smiles gently and responds: 

“Of course. I’m aware of your request, and I hope Russell, your fellow Battle Chimera, is doing well.” 

“Y-y-yes! He seems very happy doing chores while dressed as a maid! He complains a lot, but he does so with a smile!” 

“Chores? While dressed as a maid? I see… If he’s happy, then that’s what is important. But…a maid? Why is he wearing girls’ clothes?” 

Viper seems to be struggling to come to grips with something, but now’s not the time to dwell on Russell’s preferences. 

“Yo, Ms. Demon Lord, putting aside the cross-dressing Chimera, let’s talk about the glutton Chimera instead. It looks like the weird facilities under this building are related to Rose somehow. Let’s have a look at those first, shall we?” 

“Oh, of course. I’ll show you around, then. This way, please.” 

Saying that, Viper steps to the side and continues out the door. 

…Huh? 

“<Alice, Alice, I think she’s really gonna give us a tour. What do you think? Is this a trap?>” 

“<No, but I would have thought the mystery facilities would be an important bargaining chip for them…>” 

As we start our discussion in Japanese, Viper tilts her head curiously at us. 

If she’s going to show us around, we may as well go take a look. 

Still, the more I look at Viper as she leads the way, the more she just seems like a normal girl to me. 

“Hey, Alice, isn’t it crazy how reliable Snow’s intel was? The Demon Lord’s a greedy, arrogant old man, just like she said he’d be!” 

“I know, right? She did say her network of information was the best of the best, but I’m truly blown away.” 

“Wha?! N-no, you’ve got it all wrong! According to my information, the Demon Lord is supposed to be a middle-aged man! Besides! The name is different! The Demon Lord’s name was supposed to be Mehlmehl!” 

Snow desperately lines up her excuses, but her information’s already worthless. 

Viper, who has been walking in front of us, stops and turns around. 

“Mehlmehl was my father. That is…I recently succeeded him…” 

…? 

“Hey, Alice, isn’t a succession at this time a little weird? And this girl doesn’t really seem fit to be a Demon Lord.” 

“…It’s definitely weird. It’d be best if we could have someone give us more information.” 

Well sure, but the only person we know related to the Demon Lord’s Army is… 

Oh, right, Heine. Where the hell is she? Being able to ask her would make things a lot easier. 

“Hey, Ms. Demon Lord, why isn’t Heine around? What’s she up to? We figured she would’ve been the one sent to talk to us.” 

At my words, Viper looks a little bit at a loss. 

“…Heine is currently imprisoned in the dungeon. Would you like to see her?”