Akatsuki Translations

“Indeed, it seems there’s no fooling Louveteau-san’s nose, as you’ve pointed out, I did have contact with Roux-chan today… or rather, yesterday, considering the date has changed. However, it’s more accurate to say we ran into each other by chance. I didn’t take her out.” Mirage confessed unabashedly, a hint of amusement in his tone.

At this candid admission, Astarte, who was watching the exchange, blinked in surprise, clearly taken aback by Mirage’s forthrightness. From Louveteau’s perspective, it must have sounded like a desperate excuse. Believing Mirage under these circumstances would be a tall order.

Given the circumstances of losing track of Roux, it was highly likely that some form of teleportation magic was used. Mirage had been on vacation and had plenty of free time to move around. And as Louveteau pointed out, there was evidence of contact with Roux left in the form of scent.

Yet, even after hearing Mirage’s response, Louveteau, who had been seething with anger moments before, remained still. He stared intently at Mirage through the gaps in his mask, his crimson eyes unblinking.

“If this were true, the normal response would be to say ‘stop fucking around’ and go for your throat… but something’s not sitting right with me. Mirage, just to confirm, my girl is unharmed, right?” -Louveteau

“Of course, she’s completely unscathed. I can guarantee that without a shadow of a doubt. There are absolutely no problems due to drug or magical influence.” -Mirage

While Roux had sustained some minor injuries during her rampage at the southern gate of the royal capital, all of them had been healed by Palmina. The most accurate description would be that there were no traces of injuries left on her. Furthermore, although an excitatory drug had been administered to Roux and magic that influenced her psyche had been cast, Mirage had removed all such influences cleanly from her body.

The magic amplified Roux’s fear, causing the normally docile girl to lupizine and run amok at the southern gate. Mirage felt a quiet anger at how Roux, a young girl, was being treated like a mere tool. This was likely one of the reasons why he was taking such proactive action.

“…And one more thing, where is she now?” -Louveteau

“She’s currently in a human kingdom called Valois, located south of the demon territory. To be precise, she’s in the royal capital located in the center of Valois. She’s being protected and treated with utmost care by the humans.” -Mirage

Upon hearing Mirage’s words, Astarte’s eyes widened again. Valois was a human kingdom with the most territories bordering the demon lands, and was the very place where the war between demons and humans had started three centuries ago.

Astarte belonged to the silver-horned demon race. However, the demon race that had suffered the most casualties in the war was the gold-horned demon race, the same as Cruel, one of the Four Heavenly Kings. The silver and gold horned demons had a relationship so hostile within the demon race that it was not an overstatement to call them enemies. However, to the humans, they were recognized as the same type of demons, both bearing two horns and crimson eyes.

Because of this, Astarte had been repeatedly warned by her father, who knew well about the events of three centuries ago, not to approach human lands. While she did not harbor direct resentment like Cruel, the fact that humans, who are in a hostile relationship, were protecting a demon was unbelievable for Astarte.

The majority of those who harbored direct animosity in the Demon Lord’s army resided in the southern lands. It was common knowledge among the demons that they were in a hostile relationship with humans. Therefore, to ordinary demons, Mirage’s statement was unbelievable. Even for a fabrication, the content was far too poor.

Such an absurd story would not normally be believed by any demon.

“It seems like… you weren’t lying. At first, I thought your head had gone mad from telling such a foolish story, but it doesn’t seem to be the case. So… how do you know about what happened in the human kingdom?” -Louveteau

When asked why he knew, the only answer he could give as Farsa was that he was living in the royal capital as a human. Bringing up the human kingdom in the current situation would only complicate matters further, and certainly wouldn’t dispel any suspicion about Mirage.

On the contrary, it would only seem like a desperate attempt to pile on lies. Even if a little more time had passed and news of what happened in the royal capital had reached the demon territory, there would still be no way to judge whether it was true or not at this stage.

From Louveteau’s perspective, it would seem like he was being made a fool of with such a ridiculous statement, but the fact that he continued to ask questions meant that he was evaluating Mirage.

Even if there was a lot of evidence to arouse suspicion, Mirage was not considered a simple man to Louveteau. Seeing Louveteau’s attitude, Mirage couldn’t help but smile, thinking to himself, “I guess I made the right choice after all.”

He removed the mask covering his face, revealing the true face that he had been concealing all this time, and faced Louveteau squarely.

“Mirage-sama! What are you doing?!” -Astarte

Until now, Astarte had been silently observing Mirage’s actions, but at this, she raised her voice in surprise. She was used to Mirage’s eccentric behavior and had been quiet until now, assuming that there was some intention behind it.

However, no one in the Demon Lord’s army had ever seen Mirage’s face. He had never removed his mask, not even in the presence of Lilith, the Demon Lord. Various speculations had circulated about the face under the mask, but no one had ever discovered the truth.

It was only natural to think that there must be a serious reason for hiding it to such an extent.

“What do you mean ‘what’? I thought it would be quicker to show you rather than explain. How about it, Louveteau-san, do you understand now why I know so much about the human kingdom?” -Mirage

Although Astarte, who was standing behind Mirage, could not see his face, Louveteau, who was sitting in front of him, could clearly see it. Louveteau seemed to be in a state of shock at the unexpected turn of events, his mouth opening and closing several times. But he somehow found the words to respond to Mirage’s question.

“So Boss is a human…? No, you had red pupils just now. Why have they suddenly turned black?” -Louveteau

As Louveteau had said, Mirage’s uncovered eyes were both black, resembling his appearance when he lived as the human, Farsa. All demons, whether they are wolf demons or oni demons, have crimson eyes. The only exception currently confirmed is Mirage, who was born between a human and a demon.

“Actually, this is a tool developed in the human kingdom that changes the color of the eyes. Look, if I remove one, you can clearly see the difference, right?” -Mirage

“Ah, yes, I can clearly see… So you’re saying that you disguised yourself as a human and infiltrated this Valois kingdom?” -Louveteau

With practiced ease, Mirage removed the lens that had been making his left eye appear black and showed Louveteau both his red and black eyes. He spoke as if he had deliberately left his right eye black for comparison, a daring move indeed.

Louveteau seemed to be confused by the sudden reveal of Mirage’s face and responded in a flustered manner. If Mirage had initially revealed his face with both eyes of different colors, Louveteau would undoubtedly have felt uncomfortable about his right eye being black.

However, Mirage first showed him both eyes black, leading Louveteau to mistakenly believe that he might be a human. He then presented the answer that it was a disguise using lenses.

The psychology of demons and humans is interesting. Once they get an answer to a question they had, they readily believe it. As a result, Louveteau misunderstood Mirage’s identity and even conveniently interpreted his motives.

Mirage then removed the lens from his right eye as well, quickly donned his mask again, and presented both lenses on his palm to Louveteau.

“These are rare items, so please take a good look if you like. But be careful not to break them, they’re very finely made. Anyway, I feel most at ease when I’m wearing my mask. Perhaps I’m inherently timid, but I can’t relax when I have blind spots. I often use teleportation magic to secretly check, for example, I could clearly see Tart-chan behind me opening her mouth wide in a cute expression.” -Mirage

At this unexpected remark, Astarte hurriedly covered her mouth and glared at Mirage with sharp eyes. Mirage could use the application of teleportation magic to create a small gate inside his mask—specifically in the right eye area of the mask, which was blocked off—and extend his field of vision to various places.

The way he teased Astarte was also intended to indirectly convey the reason why he kept his right eye completely covered with the mask. Furthermore, he prepared a lens for his right eye, which was not necessary, leaving no room for even a hint of doubt.

Moreover, there was no falsehood in what Mirage was saying. His reason for wearing the mask, he found it calming and it allowed him to avoid being recognized, was the absolute truth. He also genuinely considered himself to be a coward.

If Mirage was not a coward, he would not reveal his identity in such a half-hearted manner.

“Interesting, I’m surprised such a thing has been created. So, tell me more about it.”  -Louveteau

“Of course. Please understand that this will be mixed with my conjectures. Yesterday at noon, three demons appeared in the capital of the Valois Kingdom. Among them was your daughter, Roux. I could not identify the other two as they had masks on, but their appearance was identical to mine and Tart’s. The two masked individuals fled, and only Roux was rescued. Naturally, she claimed to have been kidnapped. I believe one of the individuals who fled used teleportation magic, possibly a phantom demon. I found remnants of magical energy in the ruins I investigated the other day, which I think suggests the use of teleportation magic. I believe we could confirm that teleportation magic was used in the kidnapping if we investigate the place where Roux disappeared.” -Mirage

Mirage explained the course of events in response to Louveteau’s question.

What was important to Louveteau was not what Mirage was doing in the human kingdom, but how his daughter disappeared.

And Mirage had no intention of hiding the fact that he was the reason Roux was used.

In order to build a cooperative relationship by clearing Louveteau’s suspicions here, it was necessary to clarify the enemy’s objective.

There was a high possibility that similar mechanisms would be put in place to cast doubt on Mirage, which would naturally be the response.

“Oh, so my daughter was used to set you up, and the culprit can use teleportation magic, which is troublesome. So, how does that connect to the reason you didn’t bring my daughter back?” -Louveteau

Louveteau was originally skilled in strategy, having deceived Mirage and his companions to utilize the Demon Lord’s forces in order to save the Wolf Demon Clan village.

The story should have been preposterous, but he understood it well and got straight to the point.

From Louveteau’s perspective, it would have been a simple matter if Mirage had brought Roux here; there would have been no need to reveal his face.

And the reason Louveteau had been so angry until a moment ago was most likely because of this.

Objectively speaking, Mirage, who was evasive without getting to the point while giving off the scent of Roux, could only be seen as a criminal trying to conceal the truth.

Here was the crucial moment, Mirage thought as he prepared to answer Louveteau’s question.

“If you wish, Louveteau, I can bring her here right now. I apologize for being blunt, but I plan to use Roux to flush out the culprit who caused this disturbance. For this, it is essential that she remain under protection in the human kingdom. As a fellow user, I know how dangerous it is to casually use teleportation magic for selfish desires or grudges. I myself have done irreparable things with this magic. That’s why… I intend to find the culprit and prevent such actions from happening again. For this, I need the help of Roux and you, Louveteau, a member of the wolf demon tribe. Please, trust me once again and entrust me with your lives!” -Mirage

Mirage, who spoke in a serious tone unlike his usual aloof attitude, bowed deeply to Louveteau.

Teleportation magic was a very convenient ability, but depending on how it was used, it could control the world.

It could be used to instantly place a large army behind an enemy, sneak into various places to retrieve important information, and even carry out assassinations.

Conversely, it could also be used to instantly move someone in a life-threatening situation to receive appropriate treatment, or to rescue an innocent captive.

If someone started using it maliciously like this time, the amount of damage could be unimaginable.

Mirage believed that the newly appeared teleportation magic user, although only within the range of his imagination, still wasn’t as powerful as him.

However, considering the potential for growth, it was also true that he couldn’t be left unchecked.

Like his deputy Astarte, the power of magic sometimes can show sudden growth.

Whether it’s a year, ten years, or a hundred years later, it’s certain that the ability will improve over time.

If a teleportation magic user, who has climbed to the same rank as Mirage, were to wield that power with malice, it would no longer be just a problem for the demons.

At present, all attention is fixed on Mirage, which renders the enemy’s movements somewhat predictable. As long as he remains vigilant about his surroundings, he can mitigate the damage to a certain extent.

And then there’s Louveteau, the chieftain of the Wolf Demon Clan, a man with a nose so sharp that he could detect the faintest scent. He is also Roux’s father, making him the prime candidate to request cooperation from.

Yet in utilizing Roux, any justification he could come up with would inevitably sound like an excuse.

Therefore, Mirage decided to expose his true face, something he had never shown to any demon, and bow his head in sincerity.

The most important thing in negotiation is to earn the trust of the other party.

The cards Mirage had prepared for negotiation spanned from his position within the Demon Lord’s army to territories, wealth, rare items, and even beautiful women.

However, what he presented at this moment was only his true face and his honest feelings. There were no other conditions.

If Mirage were to offer territory or wealth here, Louveteau would likely become infuriated, suspecting that he intended to sell his daughter.

Understanding Louveteau’s love for his daughter, Mirage had chosen the best course of action.

Yet whether Louveteau would agree was a gamble, and Mirage believed the chances of success were not particularly high.

“…” -Louveteau

Louveteau crossed his arms, staring at Mirage in silent contemplation.

Naturally, for Louveteau, it was not an easy decision to leave his daughter in a human nation that he knew nothing about.

Any suspicion of Roux’s abduction should have been dispelled by seeing Mirage’s true face, and Louveteau would likely offer his own life willingly.

However, Roux was in the Valois Kingdom, a nation at odds with the demon race, and he had to make a judgment based solely on Mirage’s words.

If he only thought of Roux’s safety, he would want her to be brought back immediately, but he also felt indebted to Mirage.

Perhaps such conflicted emotions were swirling within Louveteau, as could be read from his stern face.

Meanwhile, Astarte, who had been watching her superior bow his head, stood up as if she had made up her mind and sat down next to Mirage.

At her action, Mirage glanced sideways at Astarte while still bowing, and Louveteau watched with curiosity.

“Perhaps I am being presumptuous, but let me also make a request. Honestly, I have no idea what Mirage-sama is thinking as there was no consultation with me. However, from observing Mirage-sama’s attitude, it is clear that simply bringing Roux-san back from the human kingdom will not resolve the issue. I, as his adjutant, understand the threat of teleportation magic second only to Mirage-sama. Even though Mirage-sama may seem careless, he is always concerned about the existence of teleportation magic. He often refrains from using it so that we do not become dependent on it, and he constantly proposes alternatives. Moreover, he is extremely kind to children and would never recklessly expose Roux-san to danger. Despite this, he talks as if he is using Roux-san, which must mean that there are circumstances he cannot yield on. As the adjutant to Mirage of Illusions, one of the Four Heavenly Kings, I swear to cooperate even if it costs me my life. So please, won’t you grant this request?” -Astarte

Saying this, Astarte bowed deeply to Louveteau, just like Mirage, pleading with him.

This act was unexpected for Mirage, who had intentionally refrained from consulting Astarte. He was greatly shocked and at the same time, he felt ashamed for not recognizing his own deficiencies and Astarte’s mental growth.

The Astarte that Mirage knew lacked the flexibility to deal with unexpected situations and had a serious character that confronted everything head-on.

However, the current Astarte, despite being surprised by Mirage’s extraordinary words and actions, had accurately assessed the situation and acted on her own volition.

Her appearance was that of a loyal adjutant who had absolute trust and loyalty in Mirage, a stark contrast to the usual Astarte who spouted harsh words.

And the similar aura she exuded to Mirage was likely because she, like her superior, was taking the optimal action at the perfect timing to yield the greatest result.

“Ah, I got it. If you guys bow your heads and ask me like that, I can’t refuse. Honestly, I’m worried about my daughter, but I’ll trust you two and leave it to you. I’ll explain it well to my guys and my wife. Well, it should be no problem if I say she’s gone to your place for bride training. Besides, I won’t be satisfied unless I crush the bastard who dared to mess with my daughter.” -Louveteau

“Thank you, Louveteau-san. I promise to protect Roux-chan. And thank you, Tart-chan. I’m really glad you’re my deputy.” -Mirage

“I only acted as a deputy should. I have no reason to be thanked. I only helped reluctantly because Mirage-sama was displaying such a pathetic figure.” -Astarte

Even if it had been Mirage alone, he might have been able to get Louveteau’s approval after a lot of agonizing, but Astarte’s presence ultimately pushed Louveteau to agree.

Even though he was joking, Louveteau must have been incredibly worried about Roux.

Even so, he decided to trust Mirage and Astarte and prepared to entrust everything to them.

However, Mirage secretly hoped that they could avoid using the excuse of marriage training. Despite the long lifespan of the demon tribe and their nonchalant attitude towards age differences, it would be socially unacceptable for Roux, who looked like a child, to be involved in such matters.

As always, Astarte retorted in a venomous manner towards Mirage. Despite his noticeably flushed face, no one dared to point it out.

“Boss, just one more selfish request from me, alright? As Roux’s father, there are some things I need to do as a matter of principle. In short, I want you to duel with me, display your incredible power, and reassure me that you’ll protect my daughter no matter the circumstances.” -Louveteau

“I see. Looking back, we did finish the negotiations without directly fighting with Louveteau-san. Of course, I don’t mind. I know a suitable place for a duel, and we shall do it there. Tart-chan, can you act as the judge?” -Mirage

“Well, I guess it had to come to this in the end. Alright, I’ll serve as the judge.” -Astarte

In negotiations with the demon tribe, it was quite customary to demonstrate one’s power through a duel. Both Mirage and Astarte were familiar with such situations.

Louveteau must have been holding back a lot of frustration due to Roux going missing, and this duel would allow him to vent some of that anger.

Knowing this, Mirage willingly agreed, but secretly harbored a hint of anxiety. Just half a day ago, Mirage had suffered a serious injury while protecting Roux, hovering on the brink of death.

Thanks to Pamina’s healing magic, they recovered without any lasting harm, but their current condition was far from perfect.

While they could easily handle an ordinary opponent, Louveteau was the chieftain of the wolf demon tribe, and even in a state where death seemed imminent due to the black skin disease, he was capable of effortlessly slaughtering monsters.

Now, fully recovered, he was undoubtedly in peak condition, making a direct confrontation ill-advised.

However, since Louveteau had requested to see overwhelming power, Mirage had few other options.

“Ah, I guess it had to end up like this. Alright, I’ll do it. But I’ll have you know, I’d prefer to live in a world where I can avoid this kind of thing altogether. I wish for a life free from duels, but I’ll start the teleportation magic for now.” -Mirage

With that, Mirage began the teleportation magic, preparing for the upcoming duel.