Chapter 4: The Concert (1)

Mephisto's POV

"So, that's all for Iris's training. And you?"

Talia focuses her attention on me as she takes a drink brought by a waitress with their order.

"What have you been up to all this time? And you haven't talked much about your role in Ephedia." Judging by her tone of voice, she seemed genuinely curious.

"My past in Ephedia wasn't really incredible, but I was happy with my sister. Everything changed with Gramorr's arrival." As usual, I didn't lie to Talia or Iris because of their cursed magic.

I only gave them half-truths, avoiding certain topics that could make me suspicious. I had to appear as a victim who arrived on Earth against her will, who found the princesses in order to help Ephedia and her sister.

Of course, the notion of "helping Ephedia" is different for the princesses. They want to return the powers to their parents, while I want to keep them for myself.

"You must have really been through a lot. Are you sure everything's okay with your sister for now?" Iris seemed really worried.

"She's mentally stronger than me, she'll hold on for a while longer." Yes, Praxina can still endure Gramorr's madness a bit longer.

"By the way, I saw a poster announcing one of your concerts for tomorrow... I'd like to come, but I don't have a ticket and they're sold out." I was slightly embarrassed saying this.

I wanted to relax a bit before my meeting with Praxina, and improve my relationships with the princesses. So, the most logical solution was to take an interest in their activities on Earth.

I can't talk to them about magic every time I meet them.

"Don't worry about that, you can come as a member of the technical team," Talia explained, giving me a badge.

"Great, I'll see you at the concert tomorrow, and if you need any help, don't hesitate." I left after leaving money for the order on the table.

As I was leaving the restaurant, I felt a gaze on my back. I glanced back and saw Nathaniel staring at me, slightly frowning. I smiled slightly at him before leaving the place.

"What are you doing outside, in that position?"

In front of me was Auriana, who was spying on me from a ridiculous hiding spot. She probably wanted to observe the conversation in the restaurant.

"What! Me... I..." She seemed completely flustered after I caught her in her little hiding spot.

"Haha, don't be afraid, I don't bite, or at least, not just anyone ~" I couldn't help making this little joke, laughing at her reaction.

"What do you mean, you bite!" Auriana was surprised by my words before understanding that I was teasing her.

"You should stop making fun of me," she said, taking on a slightly pouting expression.

"Sorry, but you're too cute, it was too tempting," I said honestly, trying to hold back a mocking tone.

Her face turned red at my words. I sometimes forget that they're still young and inexperienced when it comes to feelings.

I remember that Auriana "falls in love" most often in the original story. It's really funny.

She had the lowest criteria of the three princesses: all it took was being handsome or sharing a common passion with her, and it was a done deal.

"I'll see you at the concert tomorrow, it's really refreshing to chat with you." I left after giving her a friendly pat on the shoulder.

I could feel her trembling slightly at the physical contact, but that's normal, I'm still just an acquaintance to her.

So I need to often initiate physical contact with her. That's why I need to get her used to my presence and my touch.

People underestimate the power of regular physical contact with a person. It slowly but surely dissolves the barriers between individuals.

I can't count on my inators to deliver the princesses to me on a silver platter, unless I subject them to a complete brainwashing directly.

So I need to have more interactions with them, and increase physical contacts to strengthen their familiarity with me.

"A successful betrayal takes time."

Once I arrived in an alley, I looked up at the sky.

"Praxina, you can show yourself." I shouted towards the place where a familiar sensation was emanating from.

I had already sealed the area with a sound isolation spell.

"How could you sense me?" She appeared behind a chimney before landing in the alley.

"We're twins." Praxina's magic emitted something sinister, unlike Iris's which gave me the feeling of being in front of a close friend.

I understand why Mephisto, in the original story, often mentioned that he would like to serve Iris. She really inspires trust.

"Cut the crap." It seems my words annoyed Praxina.

Anyway, there are few things in this world that don't annoy Praxina.

"I was able to observe your interaction and some of your actions since your 'sick leave'." She frowned as she looked at me.

"You haven't trained much. You've just spent your time studying this world's culture and hanging out at the library with that Talia." When pronouncing Talia's name, I could feel that her voice contained more venom than usual.

"Don't worry about my evolution, Praxina. You'll be able to check it yourself in a few days. As for Talia... it's necessary for my plan."

I turned to leave, but I stopped halfway. I remembered something to inform Praxina about.

"I forgot, you're free to come to my place if you're tired of that cave." She growled slightly before teleporting.

"She should take the time to walk sometimes, it helps to think."

....

The rest of the day ends slowly. I used my free time to create portable armies resembling children's toys.

My intention is to deceive the princesses or an ordinary human if they come across them. I have to take precautions for the worst-case scenario.

I created these weapons mainly for my Lucifer identity. There's no way I'm using my black crystal magic in front of the girls.

I really can't guarantee that Gramorr will stay quiet for long listening to Praxina's various excuses. He could simply send his pet if he gets tired of waiting for me.

Frankly, I don't see the princesses beating that damn demonic tiger at the moment.

(Image)

"It's a shame I can't create inators capable of shrinking and increasing size for now. I'll have to make do with these mini-robots for the moment."

I have nowhere to store an army of robots and, if I had a larger budget, I would have simply created a satellite instead of an army of robots.

"Maybe I should rob a bank, it seems to be the most logical option right now." After all, I'm an alien, human laws don't apply to me.

If Talia and the others discover the truth, I'll simply explain to them that my case is similar to that of a bear robbing a bank.

It's stupid to want to judge me by laws invented for humans and animals on Earth.

...

"You arrived way too early."

Iris spoke to me in a surprised tone. I had arrived three hours early, while the concert was officially supposed to start at three in the afternoon.

I had already sent my mini-robots equipped with mini-laser beams to rob the smallest bank in town. I didn't want the situation to be too publicized.

(Image)

I'm sure I could invent more powerful inators with more money, and if that's not enough, I should think about finding myself a "sugar mommy".

"Of course, I don't want to miss anything of the performance of professionals like you," I expressed in an enthusiastic tone.

"You call me and the girls professionals, but your music is playing almost everywhere these days." Talia appeared shortly after the start of my conversation with Iris.

"Singing in front of a camera and holding a concert are two different things, haha," I couldn't help but laugh a little, embarrassed.

"You should really think about taking it to the next level."

Talia's words didn't really interest me, I just wanted my music to become popular enough for the princesses to hear it.

Currently, all three princesses have heard it very often, as I wanted. I'm not really interested in the music industry, except to insert subliminal messages in my songs.

I was even contacted this morning by some music labels. I would have accepted before, if I hadn't sent robots to commit a bank robbery.

I literally have the means to access the infinity of the multiverse, so why the hell should I care about doing concerts for a professional career?

"I could do it in the future, but only if we sing together."

On the other hand, it would be really funny to sing with three princesses in front of a frenzied crowd.