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Three days after the territory I gained was determined, we decided to leave the Devil's Capital, Lilith, and go to the border region on the coast of the Great Lake Tlaga where the territory I was given was located.
"Sorry, Rey. Sirzechs-sama and the others couldn't come to see you off."
Grayfia-san, who came to the Pheles mansion this noon to see us off, said in a slightly regretful tone.
I shook my head.
"It's okay. I know they are busy people."
Well, as Devil Kings, the four of them certainly have their own busyness. So I don't mind their absence.
"Take care of yourself."
Grayfia-san said and I nodded slightly.
"Nn. Thank you for helping me so much all this time, Grayfia-san."
During the few months I was in the capital, Grayfia-san was willing to spend part of her time teaching me various things.
And what's more, she also treats me well and considers me her relative because I am the son of her late bestfriend.
That's why I am very grateful to her.
"It's okay, Rey."
After that, Grayfia-san smiled gently and then hugged me warmly.
I hugged her back.
And while we were hugging, Grayfia-san whispered something to me.
"...."
I widened my eyes a little and then frowned after hearing her whisper.
And after we let go of each other, Grayfia-san looked at Mephisto-jiisama and the three women consisting of Scathach-sama, Kulshedra-san, and Sakuya-san.
"Mephisto-sama. And ladies. Please take good care of Rey."
Grayfia-san said in a slightly serious tone and then bowed slightly to them.
Mephisto-jiisama and the others answered with a small but firm nod at her.
Grayfia-san then also gave a small nod and then said,
"Then, please excuse me."
Then, a magic circle appeared under Grayfia-san and then she disappeared using Teleportation Magic.
And after Grayfia-san left, Mephisto-jiisama said,
"Let's go."
I nodded slightly and stood closer to him. Scathach-sama and the other two are also the same.
Then, Mephisto-jiisama snapped his fingers and a magic circle appeared below us.
And after the magic circle glowed brightly, we disappeared from the courtyard of Pheles' mansion using Teleportation Magic.
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"We have arrived."
Hearing Mephisto-jiisama's words, I opened my eyes.
And then, I saw that I and the others were currently on the shore of a body of water which I was sure was the Great Lake Tlaga which was already familiar to me.
However, what is different this time from when I trained for two years is that if at that time I was on the shore of Lake Tlaga which was in the Fallen-Angel territory, now I am on the other shore which is in the Devil's territory.
".... Be alert, Rey."
Just as I was enjoying the beautiful lake view a bit, I heard Scathach-sama said to me.
And after I turned around, I saw Scathach-sama standing with her back to me facing the trees and drawing her red spear, Gae Bolg Alternative.
Meanwhile Kulshedra-san and Sakuya-san stepped back a little to get closer to me and looked alert too.
Seeing that, I slightly wondered what was wrong.
"Hm?"
But after I looked around more carefully, I understood why they seemed wary.
And I frowned a little.
Then I saw Mephisto-jiisama walking forward a few steps.
"Come out."
Mephisto-jiisama said in a calm but firm tone.
"Kekekekeke.... Lord Mephisto Pheles indeed cannot be underestimated."
Suddenly heard someone chuckled and said something from the trees.
After that, I heard rustling sounds from the trees and bushes.
I also heard the sound of footsteps stepping on the forest floor walking towards us.
And not long after, from the trees appeared several people who appeared to be wearing black robes and hoods with someone who appeared to be carrying a staff at the very front.
And they stopped about ten meters in front of us.
"Kekekekeke.... Greetings, Lord Mephisto Pheles."
The person carrying the staff said and bowed slightly.
"Hmph. I don't need your respect! Get lost!"
Mephisto-jiisama exclaimed firmly.
"Kekekekeke.... Don't be too hasty, Lord Pheles. We don't have any bad intentions after all."
"No bad intentions? Even brats wouldn't believe it if suddenly suspicious-looking people appeared in front of them!"
"But we truly don't have any bad intentions. We just want to discuss something with Young Lord Rofocale."
The person said while looking at me and a slight grin appeared on the lower part of his face which was not covered by the hood of his robe.
I frowned deeply.
Indeed, I and the others would have been "desired" by many people after our exposure in the capital.
But I didn't expect it to be this fast.
I then stepped forward and stood beside Mephisto-jiisama.
"Who are you guys? And what do you want?"
I asked still frowning and in a sharp tone to the robed person.
"Kekekekeke... It doesn't matter who we are... What's important is, does Lord Rofocale want to know about Young Master Lucifuge?"
The person said with a wide smirk.
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I shuddered slightly, widened my eyes, and my heartbeat increased after hearing the words of the robed person.
Because I know that the Young Master Lucifuge he meant is Euclid Lucifuge.
One of the two remaining people of the Lucifuge Family.
Grayfia-san's younger brother.
And the person who killed my mother.
Remembering my grudge against that person, I stared at the cloaked, staffed person grimly, sharply, and coldly.
"Do you know where he is?"
I asked him coldly.
"Kekekekeke.... No."
The robed person chuckled and shook his head.
"But our master can help finding him if Lord Rofocale wants. What do you think?"
The robed person asked with a grin.
"Your master?"
"What does Zaorama want from Rey? Hasn't he been a turtle all this time? Why does he dare to tell people to act so bluntly this time?"
Mephisto-jiisama interrupted firmly.
"Oh? So you guys already know? Then it'll be quicker. Kekekekeke!"
"...."
"Our master, Zaorama Nebiros, wishes to cooperate with Lord Rofocale."
The robed man said with wide smirk.
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