Combatants Will Be Dispatched - Volume 5 - Chapter 3.4

4 

The next morning. 

Viper and I wait for the demon refugees at the entrance to the city by the hideout. 

After yesterday’s commotion, the other agents were weirdly nice to me and got me all sorts of things from Earth, so I’m in a good mood today. 

“You seem happy today, Mr. Six. Did something good happen?” 

“I suppose you could say that, though there was some stuff that bugged me, too. It’s all thanks to you, Vi.” 

Learning that last night’s events are the cause, Viper keeps apologizing. 

“I’m really sorry about what happened! It’s all because I said something unnecessary…” 

“Well, it’s true that I don’t do any work, so don’t worry about it, Vi. Also, thanks to you, I was able to get lots of new games.” 

As I show off my newly acquired portable console, Viper seems to be at a loss. 

“Congratulations. Um, even if you’re playing a new game, feel free to let me know if you encounter any difficult puzzles.” 

With that, Viper gives a much brighter smile than when she first arrived. 

“This one doesn’t have any puzzles, so I’ll probably be fine. Besides, playing games in the office is going to be hard since those idiots are watching me now… Oh wow, look at all the demons heading this way… Um, what’s wrong, Vi?” 

Even as I repeat my question to Viper, who seems a little different than usual, she just keeps shaking her head. 

“It’s nothing. I’m just happy that my people arrived safely…” 

As Viper smiles, I convince myself it was just my imagination. 

“Gotcha. Y’know, Vi, you really are a good person. How did your parents raise you? I’d like to know so I can raise my own daughter to be just like you.” 

“U-umm… My father always told me to be strong and ruthless and that others are there to be used, exploited—” 

“Ah, I’m sorry, Vi, you don’t have to answer that.” 

It seemed like she was about to unload a heavy tale on me, so I quickly put an end to it. 

I guess Snow’s report on the former Demon Lord’s personality was right on the money. 

Just then, the approaching group seems to have noticed Viper and me waiting by the entrance. 

A young woman leading the huge crowd of nonhumans smiles widely and waves toward us. 

“Lady Viper! You look well, but is this truly the case? The humans haven’t done anything terrible to you, have they?” 

I know this familiar-looking demon. Her name was Camille, I think. 

“Yes, I’m okay. It’s been a while, Camille… I assume Toris didn’t accept our refugees?” 

Yes, the reason Viper and I are here to greet them is because Alice mentioned a group of demons were headed our way. 

Viper’s words cloud Camille’s smile. 

“Well, um… Please look at this…” 

After unfurling the scroll Camille hands to her, Viper’s expression tenses. 

I peer in from the side… 

“Vi, what’s it say?” 

“‘Vi’?!” 

I ask since I can’t read this planet’s letters, but Camille lets out a huge reaction for some reason. 

“To summarize, because the Demon Lord’s Army surrendered, the demon territory no longer exists. Therefore, Toris is treating the alliance itself as null and void…,” says Vi, looking up from the scroll. 

“Meaning they don’t plan to accept the refugees. But, well, Alice promised you, right? ‘At the very least, I’ll secure the lives of your people.’ She’s really good with this sort of thing, so cheer up, Vi.” 

“You said ‘Vi’ again!” 

As Camille has another panic attack, Viper bows her head to me. 

“…Thank you, Mr. Six, for everything… How can I ever repay you?” 

“We’ll need the manpower, so consider us even. Besides, Vi, you’re just cleaning up your dad’s mess. If you really want to make it up to me or whatever, just play video games with me. I play against my colleagues during our free time at night, but for some reason, it always ends in a fight.” 

“Bwaaaaaaaaaah!” 

As I smile at Viper, Camille starts bawling right by my ear. 

“Ugh, what the hell? Oh, it’s the succubus girl. Look, we’re kind of in the middle of something, so could you not interrupt us?!” 

“I’m not a succubus! I’m a Lilim! And what’s with YOU?! How can you call her ‘Vi’ so casually?!” 

I guess this succubus doesn’t like that I address Viper as “Vi.” 

“Mr. Six, I would be happy to keep you company tonight, if you’d like.” 

Viper herself says this with a smile, evidently not minding it. 

“Company?! Lady Viper, what do you mean, ‘keep him company’?! Exactly what happened with this man in the time I was away?!” 

Camille appears to have completely misinterpreted our conversation, turning bright red as she peppers Viper with questions, but Viper herself, with her priority being her people, wanders off to find Alice. 

“Were you not listening to my conversation with Vi? We’re gonna have some fun together tonight.” 

“Fun?! Together?! Tonight?!” 

Yeah, I’m pretty sure this girl’s a succubus. 

That night. 

After Alice breezed through the process of assigning tents, we’ve decided to treat the demons to an outdoor meal given their long journey on foot. 

Currently, the one delicately doling out stew to the demons is… 

“Weren’t you from an evil organization? I’m pretty sure what you’re doing is the opposite of evil.” 

“This is all part of our invasion plan. By the way, you’re a former pillar of the Demon Lord’s Elite Four, but you really seem to be enjoying serving food.” 

Russell, now completely at home in his maid outfit, continues ladling stew without offering a counterargument. 

“Here, eat this and get some rest. Be careful, it’s hot. I know it’s got a weird, black color, but it tastes like normal stew.” 

“Thank you, Lord Russell. To think I’d run into you in this distant, foreign land…” 

As the demons offer their thanks, Russell feigns disinterest, but he scratches at his cheek, showing he’s happier than he lets on. 

While this soup line may seem like charity, doing this in a conquered territory substantially reduces the risk of rebellion. 

People have an easy time trusting those who lend them a hand when they’re struggling. 

Even if they’re the enemy who caused those struggles in the first place… 

“Heh-heh, let Kisaragi’s special, black stew soothe your tired body and mind. Before you know it, you’ll be working as our shock troops…” 

“Just to make sure, you haven’t added anything weird to it, right?” 

As Russell and I are handing out grub, I hear a soft chuckle. 

Turning to its source, I see Viper standing there with a smile. 

“Now, now, I won’t allow anyone to mock his preferences. Not even you, Vi. I mean, he really looks good in that outfit! So what if it’s women’s clothing…?” 

“Oh! I’m sorry, I wasn’t giggling at that! My apologies! …Huh, wait, hmm? Women’s clothing? Wait, Russell?! Russell, is that you?!” 

“…Y-you’ve got the wrong Chimera, Viper…” 

As Viper gawks at Russell, he looks away, sweat beading on his brow. 

Viper softly murmurs as she reaches for him with a trembling hand. 

“Th-there can’t be that many Chimeras, right? And you just called me ‘Viper’…” 

“…Well, that’s because Six just called you ‘Viper’…” 

It seems he doesn’t want her to see him in his current state, so Russell continues playing dumb. 

“Hey, Russell, I already told Vi that you’ve taken up cross-dressing, and you seem to be having the time of your life. There’s no need to be shy now.” 

“You bastard! I haven’t ‘taken up’ anything! I’m dressed this way because it makes Tiger Man and the other agents really happy! …Oh. W-wait… I didn’t mean that the way it sounded…” 

Upon hearing Russell’s statement, the corners of Viper’s mouth curl up into a smile. 

“Oh, Russell, you don’t have to lie to yourself anymore. The war is over. Please live your life however you wish…” 

“Wait, Viper! You really are misunderstanding something! I don’t actually like wearing these clothes, honest! Those are my true feelings!” 

Viper gently pats Russell’s head as he desperately pleads his case. 

“It’s okay. It looks really nice on you. In fact, I think you look really cute. I’ve always thought of you as a little brother, Russell, but I’ll be sure to treat you like my little sister from now on.” 

“You don’t get it at all! And what’s up with you being called ‘Vi’? I never thought I’d see the day when the Demon Lord’s daughter was addressed so cutely… Oh, s-sorry, Viper, I guess it bothers you a little. I won’t bring it up again!” 

Russell apologizes as Viper turns beet-red and lowers her gaze. 

“Vi is Vi. Sometimes, people call her Ms. Viper, but well… Anyway, Vi, why are you here?” 

“…I—I—I thought I’d help…a little…” 

“O-oh! Then come over here. I’ll prepare helpings of stew, and you can hand them out!” 

Russell thoughtfully tries to change the subject and begins ladling out bowls of stew and setting them on the table. 

Viper seems a little embarrassed to be called by her nickname in front of the other demons waiting in line. Still, she does her best to hand out the meals, despite looking like she might burst into tears at a moment’s notice. 

She also puts a little distance between herself and us, likely so we won’t see her embarrassment. 

“Six, you really are an idiot. I’ve never seen Viper act that way.” 

“Now hold on, the reason Vi’s acting awkward is because you were taunting her. Speaking of, what was Vi like at the Demon Lord’s Castle?” I ask, sipping at a bowl of stew. 

“Put simply, Viper’s always been the model student. She’s dedicated, smart, and kind… She’s a bit shy, so she’s never been good at socializing, but she’s too kindhearted to ever say no to anyone. She’s got a strong sense of responsibility and a tendency to always put the needs of others before her own… That’s just how she is. I’ve never seen her laugh or cry, and she’s certainly never cycled through expressions like she did just now.” 

“Okay, so serious question. Why was a girl like that the Demon Lord?” 

Could it be she was putting on a persona as the Demon Lord’s daughter? Regardless, whatever Viper was like before she came here, she hasn’t changed anywhere near as much as Russell has. 

The Lord of Water shrugs at my question. 

“I have no idea. The last Demon Lord was really ruthless and greedy, but he had a strong sense of duty. He was pretty much what you’d expect from anyone with the title of Demon Lord. It’s just baffling that a girl raised by a man like that ended up like Viper.” 

I guess he became the example of what she wanted to avoid. 

…Oh, speaking of Demon Lords. 

“Hey, do Chimeras like Demon Lords? For some reason, Rose really likes Vi. Whenever they’re together, she’s practically Viper’s pet puppy.” 

“I think the puppy part has more to do with her personality, but I do believe there’s some connection between Demon Lords and Chimeras. It’s not like I was serving the Demon Lord without a reason. Though I’m not sure why we find them extremely soothing to be around…” 

… 

“Russell, you served the previous Demon Lord, right? And the previous Demon Lord was a middle-aged dude, right? Tiger Man’s pretty up there in years, and a lot of Combat Agents are middle-aged dudes. And now you’re saying it’s soothing for you to be around a middle-aged dude…” 

“H-hold up! N-no, I’m just reacting to the blood of a powerful demon! I mean, I find being near Viper soothing, too! It’s not that I like middle-aged guys! …Wait, why are you eating the stew, too?”