Akatsuki Translations

In the private chamber of the Demon Lord Lilith, where only a few selected individuals are allowed to enter the Demon Castle. 

Already, all attendants have left, leaving only a man and a woman in the room. 

The man and woman are lying closely entwined on a luxurious bed with a canopy. 

Lying face down on the bed is Lilith, the ruler of the Demon Lord’s Castle and the highest authority in the Demon Army. 

Straddling over Lilith, a personage that even those belonging to the Demon Army fear to approach, is Mirage, one of the Four Heavenly Kings. 

“Mirage-tan, a little more forward… Ah, yeah, right there. That’s perfect.” -Lilith 

Lilith designates the position where Mirage’s fingertips should be, and her voice expresses pleasure as her expression appears to melt. 

The only sounds echoing in the room are the squishy noises of Mirage’s hands and liquid, accompanied by Lilith’s delighted voice. 

“Demon Lord-sama… You seem to be enjoying it. How about this area?” -Mirage 

“Oh, there, that feels good too. No, it’s too good; I might get addicted.” -Lilith 

Lilith responds to Mirage’s words, who presses down on a different spot than before, with a satisfied expression. 

“This ‘oil massage’ that came from the East could become quite popular.” -Mirage 

Indeed, Mirage was giving Lilith an oil massage. 

This massage using Eastern-originating oil had been promised as a service to satisfy Lilith, as a punishment for Mirage dozing off during a ceremony where he was being awarded a medal. 

Although Mirage thought that presenting Eastern-originating sweets (yokan) would be enough to be forgiven, there was more to the story. 

Even though Mirage had managed to deceive others with Astarte’s illusion magic, it turned out that someone else had noticed her dozing off. 

Among them was the leader of the guard, who was responsible for guarding Lilith in her vicinity. 

He was a demon who was close to Mirage, with her affectionately calling him “Captain.” Since they had a long history with Lilith as well, they were on intimate terms. But that proved to be a problem. 

After the meeting with the Four Heavenly Kings and the Demon Lord, Lilith met with the leader of the Royal Guards, and what followed was an outburst of laughter concerning the ceremony. 

For those unaffected by the illusion magic, Lilith’s actions were rather comical—handing out medals to an imaginary audience and then addressing them. Surprisingly, nobody, including the Four Heavenly Kings, pointed this out. 

Although Lilith took the joke in good spirits, she felt a bit embarrassed and decided to administer some form of punishment. As a result, she instructed Mirage to give her a massage. 

As a punishment, it seemed rather lenient, but there was a catch—Mirage had to come up with the entire service, and if Lilith wasn’t satisfied, she would have to start over from scratch. 

Perplexed about how to proceed, Mirage pondered the situation. However, he knew that Demon Lord Lilith had a strong interest in Eastern traditions, and he was also aware of the current popularity of massages among the women in the capital. It was under these considerations that Mirage took his action. 

The outcome turned out to be a resounding success. Lilith’s demeanor clearly conveyed that she thoroughly enjoyed Mirage’s improvised oil massage. 

“The Demon Army has a lotta of desk work, so I think it would be well received by tha’ female officers. Tart-tan might be pleased if ya do it fer her too, don’tcha think?” -Lilith 

“I wonder about Tart-chan… She might call it sexual harassment and kick me away.” -Mirage 

If she could reveal herself like this, in a state of baring her skin, there would be no need for anger, just like when she changed clothes the other day, Mirage believed. 

As the name suggests, an oil massage involves applying oil to the body for the massage, so the recipient is generally in a state of exposed skin. 

Lilith was completely nude, with only a sheet draped around her hips to cover the bare minimum. 

However, her fluffy tail swayed happily, causing the sheet to slip, rendering modesty somewhat meaningless. 

Originally, the plan was to focus on the arms, legs, and neck, but Lilith, who was reading a book brought by Mirage during the massage, became interested when she found a description of a full-body massage, leading to the current situation. 

The book was a work related to oriental holistic therapy, including descriptions of oil massages, and Mirage thoughtfully brought it so that Lilith’s maids could make use of it in the future. 

“Hehe, Mirage-tan, ya’ think ya’ understand a woman’s heart, but ya’ still don’t fully grasp it. By the way, how‘s my back look? Not ta boast, but it’s quite sexy, ain’t it?” -Lilith 

Saying that, Lilith turned her upper body, glancing at Mirage and displaying an enchanting and alluring pose. 

“Well… I admit that the Demon Lord is beautiful, but even though it’s me you’re dealing with, it’s not quite appropriate for the Demon Lord to expose herself so vulnerably. Besides, I don’t think it’s suitable for a woman to reveal her skin like this…” -Mirage 

If, by any chance, Mirage were to make a move to harm Lilith, there was no doubt it would be successful. 

At this moment, Lillith was completely vulnerable, both as the Demon Lord and as a woman, leaving herself wide open for any potential attack. 

In a whimsical tone, Lilith said, “Come on, isn’t it a bit too late for that? If Mirage-tan intended to betray us, he could annihilate the Demon Lord’s army anytime. Yer teleportation magic is just… no, it’s unfair, really. And ya’ know, it’s all thanks to Mirage-tan’s teleportation magic that we hafta expose ourselves like this.” -Lilith 

Lilith kept winking playfully, her tail swaying vigorously, threatening to sweep away the sheets. However, Mirage calmly fixed the situation and continued massaging, enduring the sensation of Lilith’s tail brushing against her neck. 

Mirage’s teleportation magic allowed him to move freely to any place with a magical seal, and he had placed magical seals on all the major facilities of the Demon Lord’s army. Some locations were known to ordinary soldiers, while others were only known to the Four Heavenly Kings and above, and some were exclusive to Lilith and Mirage. The dissemination of information was strictly controlled. 

If Mirage were ever to turn against the Demon Lord’s army, he could send a significant number of soldiers to the crucial facilities, making it impossible for Lilith to win. 

On the flip side, it also served as proof of the trust and importance they placed in Mirage. However, Mirage saw himself as nothing more than a bothersome transporter, reluctant to use his teleportation magic for anything other than travel, and he kept his true strength hidden. 

In a way, it seemed like a waste of his incredible power. If someone else were a teleportation magic user instead of Mirage, they might have become a dictator, dominating the world by now. So, in a sense, things may have turned out for the better. 

“Speaking of which, what does the Demon Lord think about marriage? You’ve teased about it before, but I wonder how you truly feel,” Mirage asked, recalling their conversation in the royal capital during the day. 

Mirage had always been curious if there was a reason why the Demon Lord remained single. When the Demon Lord’s army was formed, most of the founding members were married and had children. Including Lilith, they were considerably older than Mirage. Though the exact age was unknown, Mirage was certain that the Demon Lord was at least twice his age. 

As for the marriage proposal with Zenobia, they decided that they would have to consult Marquis Ctesiphon to finalize the matter, which they agreed to do later. 

For Mirage, marriage was something he had never seriously considered before. However, since Zenobia was someone close to him, he couldn’t help but be conscious of it to some extent. Yet, given that he was a half-breed and Zenobia was human, he knew it would never work out. 

But there was something intriguing about the institution of marriage that made him ponder. 

“Well, most of my old buddies have settled down with someone or the other. Sometimes, I can’t help but feel a little left behind. But now, we gotta prioritize the coexistence and mutual prosperity of tha’ demon and human races. Besides, I don’t wanna marry half-heartedly. Anyway, I believe that someday, regardless of race, everyone will be able to live together in laughter. So, I won’t retire prematurely by gettin’ married. If, by any chance, I fall behind, I’ll ask Mirage-tan to take over tha’ Demon Lord’s throne, so rest assured.” -Lilith 

“No, I can’t be reassured by that at all. Please remain active for at least another thousand years.” -Mirage 

 “Oh, come on, yer still as stubborn as ever. That’s why I find male phantom demons so indifferent and hard ta handle.” -Lilith 

Their conversation eventually ended in a light-hearted manner, but Mirage couldn’t shake off the weight of Lilith’s words, which had struck a chord deep within his heart. 

For Mirage, the day when the barriers between races would no longer matter was a day when one of his worries as someone born between a human and a demon would disappear. 

Although Lilith was probably only referring to the demon race when she mentioned “race,” Mirage still wanted to see such a future someday. 

And even more so, he considered the role of the Demon Lord to be troublesome and had no intention of accepting it. However, Lilith would never know what he was thinking. 

By the way, the lifespans of demons vary greatly depending on their race, but most demons are considered long-lived if they live for a thousand years. 

Thus, Mirage’s remark might sound rude, but it was a joke made possible by the trust they shared. 

“By the way, could you tell me the real reason why you called me here?” -Mirage 

“Oh, so ya found out after all. It seems like you’ve been quite tired lately, so I thought of givin’ Mirage-tan a vacation. You’ve been burdened quite a lot with the matter of the Black Skin Disease, so I want ya’ to take some time off now and then…” -Lilith 

As Lilith lay on her back, covering herself with the sheets, Mirage suddenly leaned in closer, almost as if enveloping her with his posture. 

“D-Demon Lord-sama, what did you just say?” -Mirage 

Staring at Lilith with serious eyes through the gaps in his mask, Mirage’s tone was different from his usual gentle one, containing a hint of authority and firmness. 

It was as if he was confirming Lilith’s recent statement and not allowing any room for correction. 

And at this moment, the two of them looked like nothing but the Demon Lord Lilith and one of her Four Heavenly Kings, Mirage, who was apparently pushing her down on the bed. 

“Oh my, Mirage-tan, you’re surprisingly bold. Such manly behavior suits ya’ quite well.” -Lilith 

“Demon Lord-sama?” -Mirage 

“Ju- just kiddin’, just kiddin’. That’s why I thought of giving Mirage-tan some time off to recover his energy. You’ve been quite busy with the negotiations with the Wolf Demon tribe the other day, so I want ya to enjoy yourself during your break.  ” -Lilith

Lilith made her remark in a jesting manner, but Mirage’s powerful response in a cold tone was enough to make even the Demon Lord flinch. 

However, for Mirage, a vacation was more precious than any treasure, and it was no wonder he couldn’t help but get excited. 

In fact, after the discussion about the marriage commotion with Zenobia, Mirage headed to the royal palace and also had an audience with the king. Under the pretext of healing their travel fatigue, the party of four heroes, including Julia, was granted a brief respite. 

While it was rare to take a break for only one of them, this time he had a unique opportunity to rest fully as both a demon and human. 

“Demon Lord-sama, this might be the happiest moment for me since I joined the Demon Lord’s army. Thank you very much.” -Mirage 

“Y-Yeah, I’m glad yer happy. Well, not just me, thank Tart-tan as well. That girl actually made a suggestion to me for once. She said that if she takes on tha’ work, I should let Mirage-tan take a break. Ah, she asked me to keep this a secret, so it stays between us.” -Lilith 

Though Lilith claimed it was a secret, she seemed to have intentionally let the information slip, probably because she thought it would be interesting. 

Hearing Lilith’s words, Mirage remembered Astarte’s behavior before going to the Demon Lord’s castle. 

As usual, Astarte had been spewing venom at Mirage when he arrived for work, but this time, her words were more cutting than usual. 

She kept bringing up Mirage’s recent dozing off and criticizing him for not being conscious enough of her position as one of the Four Heavenly Kings, but it was probably just her way of hiding embarrassment. 

In reality, Mirage rarely showed any vulnerability, so it wouldn’t be strange for others to worry that something might be physically wrong with him. 

“Oh, it looks like I caused you some worries, didn’t I? All because of that little nap I took.” -Mirage 

“Well, you were really into a deep slumber. I noticed it midway and was so surprised that I almost couldn’t hide it on my face. Anyway, since it’s yer well-deserved vacation, enjoy it to the fullest. Just remember, you hafta carry the communication orb at all times for any urgent summons. Here it is, our direct communication orb.” -Lilith

As Lilith spoke, she rummaged through the bedside and took out a communication orb, which she casually threw to Mirage. 

In reality, communication orbs were rare artifacts packed with lost ancient civilization technology—Out-of-place Artifacts (OOPArt)—and not something that could be handled so casually. 

However, Lilith’s way of handling it was as if she were playing catch, and if an expert were to witness it, they would undoubtedly scream in shock. 

“As for the communication orbs, we already have ones directly connected to the Illusion Castle, don’t we?” -Mirage 

“The other condition for granting ya a vacation is that you fly to me when I call fer ya’. There’s a place I want ta visit, and I’d like ya to take me there when ya have some free time. I’ll slip away secretly, so I’m counting on ya.” -Lilith 

Come to think of it, Mirage recalled that he had made such a promise after a recent meeting. 

As the Demon Lord, Lilith was in a position where she couldn’t easily go out at her leisure. It was akin to being a king in the human world, constantly accompanied by guards no matter what she did. While the Demon Lord Lilith was undoubtedly stronger than her guards, it made sense to have them around in case of emergencies, as they could serve as a shield and buy her time. 

Of course, her private chambers were off-limits without permission, but since she never knew when someone might attempt to assassinate her, she always had someone by her side when she went out. 

To sneak away secretly, Mirage’s teleportation magic was the perfect solution, and the destination was likely a place she didn’t want others to know about. 

“Well, that’s fine, but I can’t guarantee if I can reach the place you want to go.” -Mirage 

“Don’t worry, Mirage-tan, you can definitely get there. Yer vacation will be starting tomorrow fer a week. I don’t know if I can adjust my schedule during that time, so keep tha communication orb with ya, just in case.” -Lilith 

On the surface, Lilith appeared to be a carefree Demon Lord, but in reality, she was extremely busy with work. It was far beyond what the Four Heavenly Kings, including Mirage and his adjutant Astarte, had to handle. Even during the time spent with Mirage, she was constantly attending to her duties, putting the huge pile of documents on her beloved work desk in the corner of her room. 

However, when meeting Mirage, she would create an atmosphere that suggested otherwise, waiting on the bed, acting rather peculiarly, likely influenced by some Eastern cultural customs. It was a significant misunderstanding, but since no one had witnessed the true situation, no one was aware of it. 

“A week… that’s really something to be thankful for. I wonder if I can dedicate this time to leisurely reading.” -Mirage 

The one-week period was exactly the same length as the vacation granted to Farsa. Starting tomorrow, Mirage and Farsa would both be free. However, Mirage knew that people around him wouldn’t let him have that freedom entirely. His schedules were already being filled up one after another. 

Mirage’s vacation was suggested by Astarte, and considering that it would be communicated to Rafale from there, he doubted they would have much alone time. After the incident where he accidentally saw them changing clothes, he was forced to promise to do whatever they said, and now he had two such promises to Astarte. 

Furthermore, Bedivere had also asked him to visit, so as a demon, Mirage’s schedule for the next few days was likely to be packed. Even as a human, Farsa had obligations piling up. 

Ultimately, even if he had time off work, he wouldn’t have much free time. But compared to his usual schedule, it was considerably better. 

Of course, unless something major happened, Mirage and Farsa’s vacation could be ruined. However, thinking about that now was pointless. 

And so, Mirage and Falsa’s much-awaited one-week vacation began. 

“Speaking of readin’, I just heard this mornin’s report about a newly discovered ancient ruin in Bedivere’s territory, where there’s a high chance of many books lyin’ around. Well, I can’t send you on an investigation during yer vacation, though.” -Lilith 

Hearing those words, Mirage froze for a moment. 

Collecting ancient manuscripts from the ancient civilization era was Mirage’s hobby, and among the tasks he performed in the Demon Lord’s army, he enjoyed the excavation of ruins the most. The items found in the ruins would be delivered to the Demon Lord, but as one of the Four Heavenly Kings, Mirage had some freedom to request items he was interested in. 

Naturally, valuable magical tools like the communication orb were challenging to obtain, but when it came to books, it was relatively easy to receive copies after transcription. 

Except for Cruel, whom he wanted nothing to do with, Rafale and Bedivere had little interest in the ruins. Therefore, Mirage often took the initiative to investigate ruins in other territories. 

In practice, Mirage’s teleportation ability made him ideally suited for ruin investigations. Furthermore, sending other personnel later for more detailed research became much easier. It had been well-received. 

“I’ll go.” -Mirage 

“Huh?” -Lilith 

“I’ll go on the investigation.” -Mirage 

“N-No, Mirage-tan is on vacation…” -Lilith

“I’m not doing this as part of my job but as a private endeavor. Please grant me permission to enter the ruins. I’ll handle the arrangements with Bedivere myself.” -Mirage

For collectors, items that nobody else possesses hold immense value, and when it comes to newly discovered ruins, the probability of finding previously unseen artifacts is high. 

If inexperienced individuals were put in charge, the investigation might not proceed smoothly, resulting in fewer discoveries, and there is also the risk of mishandling ancient texts and causing damage. 

That’s why Mirage had always been proactive in conducting archaeological surveys. 

“Well, if Mirage-tan insists, I guess it’s fine…” -Lilith 

“Thank you! As usual, if I can ensure a certain level of safety, I’ll arrange for the Demon Lord’s Army’s investigation team to be sent in.” -Mirage 

The investigation of ruins within the Demon Lord’s Army involves several steps, and Mirage’s role mainly revolves around the initial survey. Many ancient ruins have traps to deter intruders and are often infested with monsters due to years of neglect, making them inherently dangerous. That’s why capable individuals conduct the initial exploration, creating maps and eliminating hazards. 

Subsequently, a specialized team, though not as adept in combat, examines the ruins in detail. Assigning the initial survey to someone like Bedivere would likely lead to the ruins being damaged by the aftermath of battles, and everyone can imagine what would happen if valuable texts were handled carelessly. 

That’s precisely why Mirage had been so determined. Nevertheless, it didn’t change the fact that he was sacrificing his precious day off for work. 

However, he couldn’t contain his excitement at the prospect of encountering new books. The bookworm who had spent over a hundred years secluded and absorbed in reading now found himself lacking his usual composure due to the rare joy of having a vacation. 

“…Well then, I’ll head to Bedivere’s place right away. Demon Lord-sama, please inform me through the communication orb if anything arises. Excuse me.” -Mirage 

Mirage swiftly conjured a gate and disappeared into the rift in space. 

“What tha’ heck! He seems more excited ’bout the ruins survey than seein’ me naked. That’s why male phantom demons are a buncha blockheads, it gets on my nerves!” -Lilith 

Saying so, Lilith clutched the sheets tightly in her hand. She no longer appeared as the dignified Demon Lord but rather like a cute young woman. Despite her words of annoyance, her face showed delight akin to a child who had just acquired a new toy from Mirage’s unexpected display. 

For her, the demons under the Demon Lord’s Army’s command were not only important subordinates and comrades but also akin to children. As she gazed at the space where Mirage had vanished, her true feelings remained a mystery to others.