Chapter 29 - A Date with the Demon King

After some time, we finished our drinks and decided it was time to head out. I stretched my arms above my head and let out a content sigh. "That was good stuff."

"Ah, that was indeed a good beverage with a peculiar taste. We should thank Claire for suggesting this place, Cid."

I smiled and stood up from the booth, reaching into my pocket to retrieve my wallet. "True. It's always nice to find a cozy café to relax in."

As we walked to the cashier to pay for our drinks, Anos glanced at me and hesitated for a moment before speaking up. "Cid, I want to apologize for not offering to pay."

I chuckled and shook my head. "Don't worry about it, bro. It's really not a big deal. We're friends, right?"

He nodded appreciatively, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "Hmm, I guess so."

I paid for our drinks at the cashier, and as we exited the café, Anos turned to me once more with a grateful expression. "Thanks again for the 'coffee', Cid."

I waved off his apology and nudged him with my elbow. "Hey, we're bros, remember? Sharing a cup of coffee is nothing."

Anos chuckled and nodded in agreement. "You're right, brother."

I grinned and then reached into my pocket, pulling out a heavy pouch. I hesitated for a moment as I felt its weight in my hand and then I sighed internally before immediately handing it to Anos, who looked at it curiously.

"What's this?" he asked.

I shrugged, still smiling. "Consider it a little gift. You know, to fund your last-boss character's activities and all that stuff. Go ahead, take a look inside."

Anos opened the pouch and his eyes widened a bit as he saw the hundreds of large gold coins inside. It was enough money to last a few commoner families a lifetime. "Cid, you didn't have to..."

I draped my arm over his shoulder and gave him a playful grin. "Nah, don't worry about it. Think of it as a welcome gift to this world. Besides, it's not every day you get a 'Demon King' character as a brother haha."

Anos chuckled and shook his head, a hint of disbelief coloring his expression. "You're quite the human, Cid. Thanks sincerely. It's truly unfortunate that our paths didn't cross in our previous life. With you, I'd have gladly shared even my castle Delsgade."

"Hahaha~ mutual feelings, bro."

As we walked down the street, the sun gradually descending beneath the horizon, a soft golden light enveloped our surroundings. Our conversation flowed easily, a blend of playful banter concerning Nee-san and more profound discussions about magic, further cementing the growing connection between us.

—--------------------------------------------

Before we realized it, the night had already fallen, and we found ourselves back in my room. I sprawled on my bed, while Anos took a seat at my desk, gazing at the moonlit sky outside. A comfortable silence settled between us, the air filled with a sense of camaraderie.

Anos hummed softly and rose from his seat, walking over to me. "Well then, I suppose it's time for me to take my leave."

"See you around, man. Today was a blast. We should definitely hang out like this again sometime."

He extended his hand, and I grabbed it, giving it a firm shake. "Definitely. Until next time, Cid. May the darkness of your night be peaceful and the light of your day be bright."

I chuckled at his dramatic farewell and nodded. "You too, Anos. May your demonic adventures be legendary."

With that, he turned and headed for the window. He pushed it open and looked back at me one last time, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "And remember, should you ever find yourself in need of a little... magical assistance, don't hesitate to call upon the Demon King of Tyranny."

I laughed heartily. "I'll keep that in mind, your 'majesty'."

Anos grinned and gave me a nod before leaping out of the window, disappearing into the night with a flourish. I shook my head, still smiling, and closed the window after him.

Getting comfortable in my bed, I couldn't help but mull over the sheer weirdness of it all. A hidden last-boss aiming to be the Eminence in Shadow, and now, another one aspiring to become the Demon King. I let out a satisfied sigh, shutting my eyes and replaying the absolutely crazy events of the day in my head.

Drifting off to sleep seemed like the next logical step, or so I thought until a familiar presence made itself known in the room.

My eyes slowly opened, revealing a smirk that danced upon my lips. "Hmph. Epsilon. Huh."

A voice as calculated as it was loyal responded without hesitation, "Yes, Shadow-sama." Her posture was, as usual, impeccable – a portrait of seriousness. "I've come to offer my apologies."

"Apologies?" I propped myself up on my elbows, curiosity piqued. I thought about what to say next for a moment and then muttered some cool random shit. "Did the mission fail?"

Epsilon jolted as if struck by a bolt of lightning. In an instant, she was on the ground, prostrating herself before me. The sudden display of deference caught me off guard, but I kept my expression composed.

"S-Shadow-sama, I deeply apologize for my actions," she said, her voice tinged with urgency and guilt.

My confusion deepened, but I decided to play along for now. "Hmm. Apologize for what?"

She hesitated for a brief moment, her eyes cast downward. "I... I was given a mission by Alpha, behind your back. I ignored your orders and engaged with A-Anos Voldigoad. I… I almost didn't make it back alive."

My heart skipped a beat. Did she expose little bro's character or something? Oh, damn. If she nearly got herself killed, Anos must have been furious.

A mixture of surprise and concern washed over me as I processed her confession. So, she had acted against my orders, endangering herself in the process. As much as I wanted to reprimand her for her recklessness, I also sensed a genuine remorse in her voice.

"Stand up, Epsilon," I said calmly. "Explain yourself."

She rose from her prostrate position, her expression a blend of shame and determination. "I… I didn't mean to defy you, S-Shadow-sama. I thought I could handle the situation on my own. I… I was wrong."

I sighed, the gravity of the situation sinking in. "You know the importance of following orders, Epsilon. Your actions could have serious consequences for all of us."

She nodded, her gaze unwavering. "I understand, Shadow-sama. I… I accept any punishment you deem necessary."

I gazed at her briefly, taking a moment to ponder my words before recalling Anos's troublesome incest route. Being the big brother, it's my responsibility to guide my little bro and ensure he remains on the right path.

"Very well, Epsilon," I said with a sigh, feigning disappointment. "I applaud your honesty in confessing your actions. You understand that your actions have consequences, right?"

Epsilon nodded solemnly. Her usual composed demeanor was shaken, and her eyes darted around the room, avoiding direct eye contact with me. "Y-Yes, Shadow-sama. I-I'm prepared to face whatever consequences you decide."

I gave her a stern look, maintaining the facade. "Your actions have not only endangered yourself but potentially exposed us to unnecessary risks."

Epsilon's voice trembled as she responded. "I... I didn't mean to, Shadow-sama. It was a moment of weakness."

I leaned forward slightly, my gaze piercing through her. "Weakness is not an excuse we can afford, Epsilon. We are part of a delicate equilibrium, and one misstep could unravel everything we've ever worked for."

Epsilon's hands clenched into fists at her sides, her fear palpable. "I... I understand, Shadow-sama."

I nodded slowly, letting the weight of the situation hang in the air. "To rectify this, you will need to regain our standing and reaffirm our 'alliance'."

Epsilon's eyes widened in apprehension, her voice barely a whisper. "H…How can I do that, Shadow-sama?"

I discreetly cleared my throat and leaned in, my voice hushed and controlled. "You... go have a date with Anos."

"Eh?" Epsilon's breath hitched, and she faltered, "A... a date? W-What?! With A-Anos Voldigoad? B... But he's... he's a D…D-Demon, Shadow-sama!"

My gaze bore into hers, unyielding. "Yes, he is. And it is through this connection that you will mend the damage you've caused."

Epsilon's body trembled visibly, her fear now undeniable. "B-but—-"

Geez, why was she being so resistant?

C'mon, it's just a date!

I threw up a hand to cut off her protests. "No 'buts,' Epsilon. Consider this a chance to demonstrate your unwavering commitment to our cause. Is that clear?"

Epsilon's eyes glistened with unshed tears as she stared at the floor. Her voice wavered as she finally spoke, "I... I understand, Shadow-sama. I will… do whatever it takes t… to make amends."

Just as I was about to offer her some reassurance and find a way to compensate her, Epsilon suddenly started crying. Tears streamed down her face, and her shoulders shook with suppressed sobs. I blinked in genuine surprise, unsure of how to react to this unexpected turn of events.

"E-Epsilon?" I stammered, my concern genuine now as I reached out to touch her arm. "What's wrong?"

Her crying escalated, her words barely comprehensible between sobs. "I... I'm s-sorry, Shadow-sama! *Hic* I... I'm so sorry for disappointing you... and risking everything. *Hic*"

My initial confusion turned into a mix of emotions – part of me felt awkward and uncertain, while another part was deeply touched by her display of genuine remorse. I hadn't expected her to react this way.

"Epsilon." I said, my tone softening a bit as I tried to console her. "It's okay. You're not alone in this. We'll find a way to make things right."

But it seemed my words only worsened her crying. Her vulnerability was on full display, and I found myself at a loss for how to handle it. Panic started to bubble up within me, the unexpected situation leaving me feeling helpless.

"Hey, hey, stop crying," I blurted out, my own panic unconsciously creeping into my voice. "I was just... I was just trying to make a point, you know? I didn't mean to upset you this much."

Epsilon's crying didn't stop, and now I was frantically searching for a way to rectify my unintended emotional onslaught. "I mean, come on, Epsilon. It's not that bad. It's just a date— you know what, forget it. We can fix this with another way. Just... stop crying, okay?"

She sniffled and looked up at me through teary eyes, her expression a mix of surprise and confusion. "B-but Shadow-sama, I thought *Hic* you didn't want me *Hic* anymore…"

I interrupted her, my tone rushed and a little bit desperate. "I-I was just kidding, okay? I didn't expect you to take it this badly. Seriously, just... stop crying. We can figure this out together."

Epsilon blinked, her tears slowing down as she processed my words. Gradually, her sobs subsided, and she wiped at her eyes with the back of her hand. She sniffled again, trying to regain her composure.

"You... you were joking?" she asked, her voice small.

I sighed in relief, nodding emphatically. "Yes, Epsilon. I didn't mean to make you cry. I didn't realize you'd take it to heart like this."

Epsilon's expression shifted from distress to a mix of embarrassment and relief. "I... I'm sorry for overreacting, Shadow-sama."

I offered her a faint smile, attempting to lighten the mood. "It's alright. We all have our moments. Just remember, we're a team, and we'll find a way to address this situation together."

She nodded, her embarrassment still evident, but a glimmer of determination returning to her eyes. "Thank you, Shadow-sama. I'll make sure to rectify my mistake and prove my loyalty."

I patted her shoulder gently. "That's the spirit, Epsilon. Now, let's work together to come up with a plan. And next time, I promise I'll be clearer with my… jokes."

Shit, seriously? Are we actually going down the incest route?

"Wait a sec..."

As though a crucial thought had just struck me, my eyes widened and I swiftly grasped Epsilon's shoulders with both hands.

"Eek! S-Shadow-sama?!" Her reaction was a startled scream, evidently surprised by my sudden action.

Maintaining unbroken eye contact, I uttered, "Epsilon."

"Kyaa! Y-Yes, Shadow-sama!"

"About Anos's true identity… have you told this information to anyone else?"

"N-No, Shadow-sama! I promise, I haven't shared a single word with anyone, n-not even Alpha. I was actually planning to fill her in on it later, once—"

In an instant, my mana surged into my eyes, intensifying my crimson stare. "Listen closely. You mustn't breathe a single word about this to anyone. Is that clear?"

Epsilon, visibly trembling, stammered, "Eh?"

"Your safety is not something I can assure in this matter, Epsilon. It holds the utmost significance. No one. Absolutely no one. Must find out."

*Gulp*

An aura of trepidation surrounded Epsilon as she hesitated, eventually nodding with caution.

"I'm dead serious," I emphasized with sternness.

Because, well… you know, can't let anyone mess up my little bro's dreams. Gotta watch out for that.