Demon Lord: Erotic Adventure in Another World

In the grand dining room of Alan's mansion, A scene of quiet elegance unfolds. Alan and Akari are the only occupants, their presence lending a sense of calm to the room.

Akari, her delicate fingers moving with precision while engrossed with her needle and thread work, a soft hum escaping her lips. 'This girl seemed a little strange at first, but she's quite pretty after taking a second look.'

Alan just returned from having another discussion with his brother, deciding to help the two non-combat heroes he hired get used to their jobs.

However, upon arriving, he found that Ryo, who seemed rather timid before, had undergone a remarkable transformation. He had already become part of the kitchen staff, making several friends.

Not only that, but a few maids seemed to enjoy his aura and sought a romantic relationship with him.

But for Akari, it seemed the maids didn't warm up to her. Whether because she lacked normal skills or their different upbringing. This meant after finishing her duties, Akari would sit alone in various rooms and just practise her craft. In stark contrast, Ryo was thriving in his new role, making friends and even attracting romantic attention, which made her nervous.

Alan, who thought it would be amusing, entered and sat opposite her without speaking. 'She seems to be sewing something... A doll, perhaps? I wonder if she has a talent in crafting dolls... maybe I could help her to level up enough to make full dresses or clothes to sell in a small store?'

Alan's contemplations were interrupted by Akari speaking, "Excuse me, my lord."

"Hm? What is it?" Alan answers without raising his eyes.

Akari's cheeks flushed, "I've finished sewing this doll for you."

"What!?"

"This doll is made with the best materials I can currently use and is my first creation...and I've spent the last two days working on it. It's not worth anything, but it's a thank you..."

Alan lifted the small doll, with two lovely blue eyes made with a silken thread, the blond hair shorter than Ryuji's, and his silver armour a clear sign it was Alan himself; not only that, there was a small, black-haired maid, which she made as part of the set.

Alan's eyes looked up at the cute hero. He rarely received such gifts being the duke of Grigor; rolling the doll on his palm, he then looked at Akari once more. "Can I have the doll of you too?"

"Eh!? Mine?" Her face turned red, her heart beating faster.

"Yes, please." Alan nodded. 'I don't really mind a doll of myself, but the cute Akari doll is so much prettier.'

"Alright... it's a promise, then." Akari smiles shyly.

Alan, smiling, nodded and left the room. 'If she keeps making dolls like this one, it may not be long before she gains renown, though only a low level. She has so much.

"Maybe we could visit the dungeon together sometime, Akari. I am not as good as Ryuji, but I am sure I can help you level up a little." Alan's words might have been half-hearted, though, because he spent most of his time bored. It seemed like a great idea to him. While noticing that Akari became a little quiet, he was about to leave.

However, just as he was about to leave, a soft hand grasped his before her beautiful voice added. "Can you really? There are so many pretty things I want to create, but to do that, I need to become stronger..."

Alan's heart was stirred; turning his head back, he stared into Akari's teary eyes. "It's a promise. But you'll have to let me take you on a date each time you level up."

"D-date? Like an actual date?" Akari's face reddened deeper as she looked away, taking a moment to respond before she nodded.

A faint smile appears on Akari's face. "Thank you, my lord."

"Call me Alan, come on, hero Akari. Let's go visit the dungeon."

'After all, she's really cute when she smiles...'

Alan thought to himself as he dragged her from the mansion; moments after they left, Ryo appeared carrying an array of dishes, all Akari's favourites—however, she was not to be found.

***

Meanwhile, Liana sat opposite her older sister in the palace. Her face looked unpleasant as she turned away, her crimson hair tied in a pair of bushy twin tails.

"Big Sister Anne, don't speak bad about Ryuji!" Liana rebuked Anne, who frowned.

"Why should I care about your opinion of him? He's nothing more than an outsider... how can you already fall for him? It's just an infatuation at most, yet you put pressure on the father about marriage?" Anne said in a fierce tone. She didn't actually feel this way but wanted to test her sister before things became too difficult to stop.

'I know Liana has gained so much from him already. I can see it from the changes in her magic and her vibrant face. Yet I have to do this to make sure that helping him and supporting him isn't a mistake. Lord Qwass and that woman are not enemies that a mere fake hero, no matter how strong, can withstand easily.

"So what? Ryuji's strong, kind, handsome, and smart! Not only that, he doesn't thoughtlessly approach me!" Liana's voice raised a little more; however, Anne just snorted and ignored her sister, leaving her speechless.

"Liana, are you willing to lose everything by choosing a false hero? To make Father suffer even more, choosing him over our people?" Anne asked coldly.

"... It doesn't matter if he's a hero, a commoner or a monster! He gave me hope; thanks to him, I can do this!" The next moment, two flaming arms expanded from her back, much larger and thicker than before, not to mention the heat given off by them almost burned Anne's face before she stepped back, almost grasping for her sword as she felt danger.

"Liana... calm down, calm down," Anne muttered as she looked at her sister, who glared back at her, her crimson hair fluttering, her eyes bright and fierce.

'If he's able to make my little sister like this, then maybe I can believe in him a little... But where does that leave my desire to fight him, bring out his power to the limit of his life... this feeling of wanting to battle him when he reaches my level until only one of us is left standing?'

Princess Anne didn't live a very normal life because she was obsessed with her uncle and growing stronger; she rarely interacted with others because of her desire to grow stronger and gain the strength to avenge her mother.

This meant that she had even less connection with romance, marriage or those luxury feelings. Anne was conflicted because of her budding feelings.

On the one hand, she wanted to fight Ryuji to the death, the ultimate fight with no tricks. Yet, on the other, she wished for him to stay alive and keep her sister happy; her uncle had trained her to a level where she didn't know how to connect with others apart from using the sword to communicate.

Liana and her knights were the only people she could talk to. Even then, her knights were only those she trained alongside during her youth.

"Sister, I know you're concerned about my future, but Ryuji is someone who makes me want to stand tall and fight against this wretched curse that took Mother and Auntie from us!" Liana said, her voice firm.

Anne frowned; finally, she smiled, a strange, gentle smile that was extremely rare for her. "If Ryuji is someone who can make you stand tall, Liana, then I will support you. Though, it doesn't mean I won't defeat him in the arena." Anne chuckled, her eyes still fierce and determined.

"B-big Sister, don't bully Ryuji. He's mine!" Liana pouted.

Anne's smile faded. "Liana, you will have to choose the future, and I will only support you, but Ryuji will have to decide if he will prioritise you or the kingdom."

Liana didn't respond as her big sister stood and left.

Anne couldn't properly fix her thoughts together because of the deal with Qwass and the tournament matches starting for real tomorrow. She wanted to say one thing but spoke another and ended up upsetting Liana.

"I have to make it up to her later."

'Ryuji, you're someone who has brought hope to my sister, but are you the same for this kingdom? Can you save me from the bloody battlefields that lack any hope of victory like you did, Liana?'

'Uncle, you know best we cannot defeat the demon queen this time... Or can Ryuji bring victory to this kingdom? Is he really someone who can surpass a true hero?' Anne's eyes darkened, her hands clenching tightly.

The frustration of hiding the truth of the war from the people, forced to see dozens of knights die each day, Anne tried to remain bright and cheerful, but the fact the demon kingdom allied with the elves spelt certain doom for Grigor, once sworn enemies of the elves.

Anne knew her uncle was powerful, but the demon queen was said to be equal if not stronger than the previous hero; each time, the demon would grow more powerful than the existence that killed her.

That is the reason for the existence of false heroes, those far weaker than the true heroes who would come and deliver the final blow, all for the kingdoms that remained when the next Demon Queen appeared.

'No matter what, I will test him to the limit, Liana. Because Uncle cannot defeat the current Demon Queen... He already lost to her twice...'